The Urban Land Institute’s Atlanta District Council (ULI Atlanta) today announces its expansion of programming with the creation of a ULI satellite in Savannah, Georgia. ULI Savannah will locally support ULI’s global mission of shaping the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.

“Known for its rich heritage, picturesque landscapes and vibrant community, Savannah is the perfect backdrop to represent Georgia’s coastal communities and deliver ULI’s global mission at the local level,” said Daphne Bond-Godfrey, Executive Director for ULI Atlanta. “As ULI Atlanta supports the launch of our satellite in this beautiful city, we aim to foster thoughtful dialogue, innovative ideas and collaborative solutions that will support Savannah’s development while preserving its historical charm.”

ULI Savannah will host events with local professionals, stakeholders and community members through gatherings that will focus on land use best practices, emerging trends and strategies for sustainable and coastal development. These efforts will be tailored to address Savannah’s specific challenges and opportunities, from preserving historic sites to enhancing urban infill spaces.

The ULI Savannah Steering Committee includes ULI leaders from both the Savannah and Atlanta markets who have been instrumental in shaping this effort. These members include Community Housing Services Agency’s Anita Smith-Dixon; Kimley-Horn’s Brian Clouser; Pond & Co.’s Melissa Phillips; Columbia Ventures’s Jake Von Trapp; and Thomas and Hutton’s James Collins and John Giordano. Atlanta members who made ULI Savannah possible include Amy Granelli from Eberly & Associates, Brett Oliver, Jon Tuley from Kimley-Horn, Joe Stryker from DTJ Design, Jay Silverman from Dwell Design Studio, Marilynn Davis from HR&A Advisors and Todd Semaru from Oakhurst Realty Partners. 

Leadership for ULI Savannah includes NAI Savannah’s Clara Fishel as the Sponsorship Chair; Kimley-Horn’s Laura Ballock as the Membership Chair; and GMSHAY’s Patrick Shay as the Programs Chair. 

“Savannah is a global city for development thanks to our port, forthcoming Hyundai mega-plant and generally being a great place to live,” said Shay. “An urban forest with beautiful biophilic elements, Savannah is an example for cities everywhere, but there is still work to be done. With the creation of ULI Savannah, we aim to curate thoughtful conversations around issues, such as mitigating effects of climate change and managing against overtourism, to ultimately benefit our region and the many exciting things to come.”