INTERNATIONAL PAPER CLOSURE AND CHANGING LAND USE IN SAVANNAH MSA

The sudden closure of Savannah’s International Paper (IP) plant rocked the Savannah metro area. The plant, once known as Union Camp, had been an economic powerhouse in the region since the 1930s. As locals process the news, there have been several pieces about the implications of the closure for the economy, environment, and community. A big question that remains, however, is what will become of the site. 

Many assume the IP site will be purchased by the Georgia Ports Authority to convert into another berth site. This aligns with GPA’s aggressive expansion efforts recently as it has grown into the 3rd largest port in the United States. Or neighboring Colonial Oil could make a play to expand its footprint along the Savannah River. 

However, it may be time for some alternative thinking. The site abuts the Hudson Hill neighborhood in west Savannah, across West Bay Street from Woodville. With remediation, it could be a prime site for a mixed-use, affordable housing-focused redevelopment. Such a development would be aligned with Chatham County–Savannah’s Plan 2040, which calls for strategic redevelopment of industrial sites to foster economic, transportation, and mixed-use growth. 

While it would be a huge undertaking, a large-scale redevelopment is possible. The upcoming redrawing of the federal Opportunity Zones in the next 18 months creates a chance to expand the West Downtown Opportunity Zone further west to include Hudson Hill and the IP site. The original Opportunity Zone program enabled two other recent riverfront redevelopment projects: the Plant Riverside District and the Eastern Wharf District. A large-scale redevelopment on the west side would also dovetail with the Arena District plans, capitalizing and expanding on neighborhood growth. 

Savannah’s real estate market is changing rapidly, with industrial growth dominating recent years as the port has expanded and the Hyundai Metaplant has come online. The housing and mixed-use sectors need to catch up to better align with the economic boom that is coming to Savannah. The International Paper site could be a great place to start. 

Want to talk about changing market demands and growth in the Savannah MSA? Shoot Zoe an email!