Restaurant, bar with dog park proposed for former barber shop building
The former Boys II Men barber shop (above) in Savannah’s Streetcar Historic District – also known as the Starland District – may be converted into a restaurant and bar with a fenced dog park, according to business and renovation plans submitted for the project.
Proposed renovation plans for the building at 2302 Bull St. include interior and exterior work and additions, along with a pick-up window on the eastern façade for dog park patrons to pick up food and drinks. The fenced dog park would be located on the east side of the property where a parking lot currently exists.
After submitting a business application for the restaurant in August, Wendy Rossi said in an interview with Savannah Agenda that the business idea was inspired by similar establishments such as the BrewHound Dog Park + Bar in Jacksonville, Fla. Rossi, who also co-owns the Escape Company in the downtown Historic District and Tipsy Turtle Tiki Tours, said she intends for the new restaurant and bar to be on the “classier” side. Patrons’ dogs would have to be spayed or neutered and have all their shots, similar to requirements at similar businesses, she said.
The planned alterations and additions are scheduled to go before the Historic Preservation Commission on Feb. 22.
City of Savannah on tap to pay $3.5M to settle water and sewer fees lawsuit
The city of Savannah may pay up to $3.5 million to settle a lawsuit challenging utility connection fees charged to commercial and residential property owners.
VTAL Real Estate LLC alleged in the 2021 lawsuit that the city charged Von Trapp Animal Lodge “illegal” tap-in fees for water and sewer service even though the business was already connected to the city’s service lines. The class action included similar allegations for “numerous” unnamed property owners that had paid similar fees, citing court precedent that found “a municipality cannot impose a fee for services that have not been provided.”
The Von Trapp Animal Lodge at 6500 Avenue is the named plaintiff in the class action lawsuit. Eric Curl/Feb. 4, 2023
In total, VTAL originally sought $14 million prior to the reduced settlement amount being approved by the Savannah City Council in December after more than a year of discovery and “intense” discussions, according to city spokesperson Nick Zoller. Amounts not claimed by would-be class members would be returned to the city, Zoller said.
VTAL’s attorney, James Roberts, IV, said via email on Jan. 31 that a proposed consent judgment has been drafted and once it is approved, all the parties will be submitted to the court. At that time, a motion for preliminary approval of the proposed settlement will be filed and class members will be notified prior to the scheduling of a final approval hearing, Roberts said.
Apartments now available following restoration, construction projects
Apartments are now available to lease at the former St. Paul’s Academy building after SCAD sold the property in 2021 to a developer planning to rehabilitate the historic building for use as a 27-unit apartment building. Online ads on Sunday showed studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments with rents ranging from $1,250 to $2,500.
Former St. Paul’s Academy building prior to being restored for apartments. Eric Curl/June 2021
In addition, lease applications are now being accepted for The Lowe as construction nears completion for the 4-story, multi-family and mixed-use project at Montgomery and 31st streets. The apartments advertised include studios with rents starting at $1,610, 1-bedrooms ranging between $1,635 and $2,260, and 2-bedroom units for $2,515 and $2,635.
New owner submits plans for Irish pub in City Market
The new owner of most of the buildings that make up downtown’s City Market has unveiled its building plans for the new restaurant and bar that is replacing Wild Wing Cafe.
Green Room Partners recently submitted plans for alterations and additions to the historic building at 27 Barnard St. to accommodate Wexford’s Irish Pub.
The plans going before the Historic District Board of Review on Wednesday include the construction of a new outdoor deck, the replacement of non-historic wood and glass doors, and the addition of wooden box planters on the sills of the second-floor windows.
This article appears in Connect Savannah | February, 2023.
