1. Welcome to Savannah Savannah is known as America's first planned city. General James Oglethorpe laid the city out in a series of grids that allowed for wide open streets intertwined with shady public squares and parks that served as town meeting places and centers of business. Savannah had 24 original squares and 22 squares are still in existence today continuing Oglethorpe's vision.

2. The City of Savannah 1733General James Edward Oglethorpe landed with 114 colonists on the Yamacraw Bluff and were greeted by Yamacraw Chief Tomochici and Indian traders John and Mary Musgrove. Oglethorpe named the 13th and final American colony "Georgia" after England's King George II. Savannah became its first city. 1755James Habersham and Francis Harris organized the first import-export businesses of the colony with the selling of cattle products. Between 1764 and 1773 Savannah exported over 2 million pounds of deer hides establishing the city as a significant commercial port on the South Atlantic coast. 1789Savannah's municipal government was created in 1790, the first aldermen were elected by the voters of Savannah and from their own body, the aldermen elected John Houstoun as Savannah's first mayor. 1790Eli Whitney develops the Cotton Gin and for nearly a century, trading in the Cotton Exchange on Savannah's waterfront set world cotton prices and cotton shipments soared to more than two million bales annually. 1791During the Civil War the city is captured by General William T. Sherman. Upon entering Savannah, Sherman was said to be so impressed by the City’s beauty that he could not destroy it. 1912Savannah citizen Juliette Gordon Low formed the first Girl Scout troop in the nation, and later her birthplace was made into the national Girl Scout museum and national program center. 1966Many sites in and around Savannah received the National Historic Landmark designation and the city is heralded as a masterpiece in urban planning. 1977Multimillion-dollar revitalization effort restores Savannah’s Historic riverfront. 2011Ellis Square restoration completed restoring a public square that created an urban area that includes a visitor center, restrooms, an interactive fountain, a variety of seating options, and space for music and other performances. The park also includes a bronze statue of Savannah native and well known songwriter Johnny Mercer.

3. City Demographics 136,286 population 3.6% since 2000 Median Age - 31.3 Race 55.4 % African Americans 38.3 % White 6.3 % Other Educational Attainment 23.2 % B. A. Degree or higher 60.2% High School Diploma 16.5% No High School Diploma Median Income per household - $33,316

4. Local Economy Top Employment Sectors Management Professional Service 8.9 % Unemployment rate National 8.7% State 9.4% 25% Poverty Rate Real Estate –Median home sales price $144,900

5. Savannah will be a safe, environmentally healthy, and economically thriving community for all its citizens! City’s Vision

6. City Priorities Public Safety Poverty Reduction Neighborhood Vitality High Performing Government Health and Environment Economic Growth Culture and Recreation Ambassadorship

7. Neighborhood Renaissance Savannah Corridor Revitalization Wheaton Street Waters Ave. Pennsylvania Avenue MLK/Montgomery Augusta Ave./West Savannah Project Derenne Affordable Housing & Neighborhood Sustainability Savannah’s Affordable Housing Fund Economic Empowerment Enterprise Zones City Initiatives

8. Initiative Locations

9. Waters Ave. Corridor Revitalization Empower residents to lead organizations and facilitate change Improve quality of life Build community partnerships Improve housing conditions and options Improve neighborhood safety

10. Pennsylvania Ave. Revitalization of Strathmore Savannah Gardens Investment of more than $70 million 44 Acre site - 5 Acres green space Green Design and Construction 120 Single Family Houses 338 Apartments + 60 Senior Apartments BEFORE AFTER

11. Stimulant for corridor revitalization Micro & Small Business Development & Support SBAC MBDA Economic Development Department Entrepreneurial Center Streetscape Improvements Brick Sidewalks Ornamental Lighting ADA Compliance Renovation kick-off October 26, 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd and Montgomery St. Savannah Pharmacy

12. West Savannah/Augusta Ave. Sustainable Fellwood Moses Jackson Advancement Center Single Family Infill Housing FEMA Lot Redevelopment Augusta Avenue Improvements Lady Bamford Center Passive Parks created MOSES JACKSON COMMUNITY GARDEN SUSTAINABLE FELLWOOD

13. Project DeRenne

14. Tatemville Noise Barrier

15. City Mobility WHITAKER ST. GARAGE RIVER ST. VISITOR CENTER RIVER ST. RAMP

16. City Parks and Squares FORSYTH PARK ELLIS SQUARE