News Features/Series

By Blake Olmstead, Managing Editor, SBJ

 Nov. 14, 2014 – On Tuesday Nov 12^th at the Downtown Business Association luncheon, Charles Morris, owner of the Charles H. Morris Center and Trustees Garden, shared plans for major renovations and expansion for the nearly 10-acre plot of historical land where the Trustees Garden and Morris Center reside in downtown Savannah.

Plans have been rendered and construction will be underway with a goal of completion within the year for several former Kehoe Iron Works buildings that date back more than 100 years.

Developments of the Trustees Garden Project include an outside Amphitheater that could hold up to 2,000 people, The Metal Building, and The Kehoe Building, which will all be housed within existing structures. Mr. Morris uttered mentions of two amphitheaters at the luncheon.

The Metal Building, is set to be another multi-use venue hosting trade shows, weddings, conferences, film screenings, etc. that would hold approximately 700 people.  The existing Morris Center currently holds up to 300 seated. Adjacent to the Metal Building will be a multi- outdoor space/park that could be used for markets, festivals, outdoor weddings, family activities, and similar events.

When asked about public art from a member of the audience, Mr. Morris expressed enthusiasm over the prospect of outdoor sculptures, calling this project’s new facilities a “world class gathering place for arts and culture”.

The Kehoe Building would hold a culinary arts education facility that uses produce from the Trustees Garden that will support preventive health education and activities in a partnership between Charles Morris and his Connect Savannah newspaper and the Canyon Ranch Institute’s Life Enhancement Program, which has already been underway since March of this year, but held in the Morris Center building.

As with many new current downtown developments, parking and traffic issues are still in discussion.

To learn more, go to http://trusteesgarden.com/charles-h-morris-center