SAVANNAH, Ga. () – As Savannah bids farewell to its Civic Center, plans for fresh housing developments are on the horizon.

Residents recently got their first glimpse of potential projects for the strategic location through a public forum.

“The mandate from the council was clear: no hotels, no short-term vacation rentals,” stated Bridget Liddy, the Director of Planning and Urban Design.

Prioritizing the needs of its residents, the city is shifting focus from tourist accommodations to local housing solutions.

“Our main focus is on housing, particularly affordable and workforce housing,” Liddy explained.

During the forum, the city presented three different scenarios, each highlighting various affordability options.

Scenario number three is the most affordable, prioritizing apartments and senior living.

“That’s best for people who live and work in these areas, because the housing market is going crazy,” said Savannah resident Paul Thompson.

The city wants to build up the space in the style of the Oglethorpe Plan, which is Savannah’s traditional style.

The space is centered around a square and is surrounded by lots, blocks and buildings.

“I do like we’re going back to original plans so it looks likes Savannah more, and that it will benefit actual residents,” said Thompson.

The public can still weigh in on which plan they want to see built completing an online survey