Recognizing that the future of the historic Seaboard Freight Station is in peril, a group of concerned citizens gathered at noon today to call attention to the building's plight in hopes of altering the current course of development. Originally, a developer planned to incorporate the building into a design for 140 new student apartments. But plans changed, the developer changed, and wholesale demolition of the 90-year-old structure is now sought to make room for 255 high-end apartments. After a majority of the Metropolitan Planning Commission voted in favor of demolition at a meeting earlier this month, the building’s fate now rests in the hands of Savannah City Council.

To garner support for the building’s preservation, local citizens carried out a “heartbombing” on the sidewalk in front of the building at 703 Louisville Road. Heartbombing is a fun way of physically and publicly expressing support for an old place in need of tangible forms of affection such as paper hearts and signs. The 1929 building is one of many historic buildings in Savannah not protected from demolition.  It is a rare surviving example of Seaboard’s once mighty presence in Savannah—when we were known as a railroad town as much as a port town.

“When a community loves a building as we do, it's important to show it. We wanted a special way to show everyone just how beloved this historic structure is, with a tangible gesture of affection and devotion. Plus, it's February!” said Ardsley Park/Chatham Crescent Neighborhood Association President Nick Palumbo, who attended the heartbombing. “We are proud to be home to the second-oldest freight station in Georgia, and want this amazing structure to be saved for future generations to enjoy. It's a unique building and played a distinctive role in Savannah's industrial history and development and this is our way of showing how deeply we care for its preservation.”

Heartbombing participants held their symbols of support for saving the Seaboard, a one-story brick building along the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal in the soon-to-be-redeveloped Canal District on Savannah’s west side. Photos were taken to document the outpouring of support, and several media outlets covered the unique event. Attendees were encouraged to share their photos and videos on social media with the hashtag #SaveOurSeaboard. Similar events have been held around the country — many encouraged by the National Trust for Historic Preservation — to help area leaders and elected officials see that community members want to save their heritage.