PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. (WSAV) – In what has taken more than a year of research, the city of Port Wentworth is moving forward to a new future, with a new look. Driving through Port Wentworth could be much different in the coming years after the city approved an exciting new plan to revitalize the downtown area and Highway 21. The city unanimously approved an ambitious plan that aims to alleviate truck congestion along the south coastal highway, along with the beautification of the downtown area. This decision follows extensive research and community input over the past year. City leaders tell WSAV the plan includes a commercial corridor with a variety of shops, grocery stores, restaurants and more. Rincon residents fight back against potential new warehouse development There is optimism in the city's future, given notable investments such as the new Ghost Pirates complex coming to town. The city's economic development director James Touchton told WSAV more about the project in a statement, saying, "The city will continue to build our economic incentives and offerings, with a focus on recruiting restaurants and shops that realize our potential and serve our ever-growing, diverse and engaged community." The city has been working closely during the process with the Savannah location of Kimley-Horn, a firm that includes engineering, planning and design consultants. Kimley-Horn says while the project is being referred to as the revitalization plan, it’s formally called the Downtown Port Wentworth Strategy or Downtown Strategy for short. Once a bustling hub, downtown Port Wentworth has faced decline due to rapid growth in surrounding areas. The new plan, alongside a Habitat for Humanity development, seeks to rejuvenate the city center as it anticipates an 8% annual growth rate. When speaking to those behind the Downtown Strategy about their primary goals of the revitalization plan and how they envision measuring its success over time, they said they are focused on three areas: beautification and civil pride, transportation and connectivity and development/redevelopment. "The Downtown Strategy aims to leverage the downtown’s unique assets and untapped market potential to enhance the quality of life and attract a greater share of the region’s residential and economic potential," said Laura Ballock, PLA and principal-in-charge for the Downtown Strategy at Kimley-Horn and associates. "This shared vision and strategy will unfold over time as public and private sector development opportunities that align with the needs and character of downtown, build momentum for such growth," she added. Initial funding of up to $1 million will kick off the project, focusing on pedestrian and bike facilities, stormwater management and beautification improvements. Residents complained about traffic congestion through Port Wentworth, an area that the city is taking significant focus to improve. "The current conditions of Highway 25 as a truck-heavy, high-speed roadway make it nearly impossible to realize the full potential of our 'downtown vision plan,'" said Touchton. "The noise, congestion and safety concerns associated with the large volume of truck traffic undermine our ability to create a vibrant, walkable downtown that can attract new businesses, residents and visitors. Our residents deserve a downtown that supports a high quality of life, where families can walk, shop, and dine in a safe and welcoming environment." State and local leaders discuss Sapelo gangway, next steps for community healing Touchton said that by transferring Highway 25's jurisdiction to the city of Port Wentworth, they can implement traffic-calming measures, enhance pedestrian safety and redesign the corridor to align with the community's needs now and in the future. "Metrics will be the success of the new development, which will be evaluated against targets, as the road swap allows for this walkable community with roundabouts and slower speeds to ensure safety for all," he added. Kimley-Horn agrees, saying, "Additional discussions are needed with local transportation organizations and the Port to effectuate this change, but the goal is to better manage traffic and speed in the downtown area to enhance safety and walkability.” Because of the transportation changes, the city will work in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). WSAV asked how this will influence the project's timeline. "Working with a nationally renowned agency such as GDOT is a critical aspect of this road exchange," Touchton said, "and thanks to key relationships and partnerships developed by our city leadership, the city has approached GDOT in meetings and a formal letter has been submitted to our wonderful state transportation board member, Ann Purcell, who is always attentive to the community's needs. Partnerships continue to be the key to every vibrant, active and rapidly growing community, like Port Wentworth." Residential input was an important factor in the process through a series of interviews, roundtable discussions and two interactive community workshops. Community feedback influenced the final design and planning decisions for Kimley-Horn when taking into account the stakeholder engagement process. "Key themes we heard were the impacts of truck traffic to quality of life, the desire to reclaim cultural and historic elements in downtown, and to scale new investment in a way that honors downtown’s history, legacy, and needs for the future," said Ballock. "Our final recommendations and their prioritization are a direct reflection of the community feedback that we heard throughout our engagement process." What are the 3 ballot questions all Georgians will see when voting in 2024? A topic important to all parties was the economic impact, the type of businesses anticipated to be attracted to the revitalized area as a result of the improvement plan. "The economic impact of our downtown's revitalization will be tabulated once we have a large-scale development project in place," Touchton said. "We anticipate a commercial corridor, similar to that of a downtown Woodstock, Georgia, with a variety of offerings, from coffee shops, a range of grocery stores/delicatessens, wine/craft beer establishments, rooftop restaurants, specialty shops, etc. "As our community continues to be chosen by gen-z and millennials, the community will continue to thrive, as our established residents and new residents come together and experience our revitalized downtown, which will once again be a gathering spot for all to enjoy in the community they have chosen to live," he added. There are many milestones that the city plans to reach in the coming years. "If you look at the action plan, laid out in the document, the city has already begun to implement some of the beautification, civic pride and infrastructure improvements," Touchton explained. "We have already focused on cleaning our public buildings by pressure washing, made improvements to our fields and offerings in Mobley Park, installed a new bathroom and concession stand amenity at the festival site, continued bulk pickup, dredging the ditches in downtown and improving the sewer capacity. He said the city is now working on "Friends of downtown Port Wentworth," an initiative to help drive cleanup days and promote assets. "Additionally, on the action plan, with respect to transportation and connectivity, we have begun the conversations for SR25 and our comprehensive plan, currently underway, will help identify projects that will bolster the future growth of our downtown," Touchton continued. "Milestones such as the transfer for SR25 to the city, in exchange for Grange Road, would be a monumental and highly significant step forward to allow for commercial corridor development in our downtown. " It will take time to see the outcome. Looking beyond the immediate improvements, WSAV asked the city what downtown Port Wentworth could look like in the next 10 to 20 years. "During the next decade, we are confident that Port Wentworth will be the city for new residents to the region to increasingly choose to live, experience and thrive," said Touchton. "The planned commercial development, public arts, walkable streets, public-private investment driven projects will enhance our stand up for America city. "It is clear that Port Wentworth has a bright future as residents, investors, the Savannah Ghost Pirates. Small business is already choosing our community in coastal Georgia." To summarize, Kimley-Horn broke down their recommendations into three categories: 1. Beautification & Civic Pride To increase the beauty and appeal of downtown To bolster property values and attract private investment To increase public awareness of the City’s efforts to improve downtown 2. Transportation & Connectivity To increase accessibility and mobility in and throughout downtown To protect vulnerable populations, improve safety and reduce congestion To enhance and strengthen the alternative modes of travel 3. Development / Redevelopment Areas To stimulate and attract growth that aligns with the character and needs of downtown To set forth an achievable development agenda that unfolds over time To support neighborhood and commercial growth and vitality WSAV broke down the 75-page Port Wentworth downtown strategy here: Key Objectives Alleviate truck congestion on Highway 21 Revitalize downtown for 8% projected growth Major Components Streetscape and beautification plan Pedestrian and bike facilities Infrastructure upgrades (water/sewer) Focus Areas Beautification Enhance visual appeal Boost property values Transportation Improve accessibility and traffic flow Development Stimulate neighborhood and commercial growth Funding: Initial Budget: $850,000 to $1 million (Phase 1) Community Impact: Benefits for families, young professionals, and local businesses Visuals: Map of proposed changes Before-and-after images Icons for community engagement Visit here to learn more about the Port Wentworth Downtown Strategy and access all the information and visuals.