Savannah is preparing to begin demolition of the Martin Luther King Jr. Arena this June, marking the next phase of a long discussed transformation of the Civic Center site.
In June 2024, Savannah City Council voted 7 to 1 in favor of demolishing the arena and renovating the Johnny Mercer Theater, ballroom, and community meeting spaces. The decision followed years of debate, which intensified after the opening of Enmarket Arena shifted the city’s event landscape.
City leaders have described the project as a major undertaking, with an estimated net cost between $90 and $120 million. The broader vision includes restoring seven squares of the original Oglethorpe Plan, a move that would reshape the footprint of the current Civic Center property and reconnect portions of the historic street grid.
Not everyone supported the decision. District 1 Alderwoman Bernetta Lanier cast the lone vote against the measure, raising concerns about what would replace the arena’s community event space and where those gatherings would go in the future. City Manager Jay Melder said there is space on the site that could accommodate a purpose built building to serve those needs, though specific plans have not yet been finalized.
At the same time, members of Savannah’s arts community welcomed the vote. Supporters of the renovation say the Johnny Mercer Theater is in need of significant upgrades after decades of use. Improvements are expected to address acoustics, functionality, and overall performance experience, with the goal of making the venue more competitive and better suited for modern productions.
While demolition of the arena is now scheduled to begin in June, the Civic Center will remain open during the process. Officials have said the work will be handled carefully to protect the remaining structure, with portions of the building near the theater being taken down by hand rather than through large scale mechanical demolition.
Looking beyond the arena itself, the city has also begun outlining what could eventually fill the roughly four acres that will open up once demolition is complete. Early concepts suggest a mix of housing and neighborhood scale retail, with an emphasis on workforce housing and small businesses. The council resolution guiding the project also prioritizes maintaining the name of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the site and prohibits the development of new hotels on the parcel.
City leaders have described the 2024 vote as a starting point rather than a final blueprint. More detailed plans for housing, retail, and potential community space are expected as the project moves forward.
For now, June’s demolition represents a significant turning point for a 52 year old facility that has played a central role in Savannah’s civic life. What replaces it will likely shape this part of downtown for decades to come.
