The last remaining structures of the old Strathmore Estates housing complex are being demolished this week to make way for the final phases of the new Savannah Gardens, the largest affordable housing community ever undertaken by the city of Savannah.
Savannah Gardens is the redevelopment of Strathmore Estates, a 44-acre site that contained 380 units of substandard rental housing located on Savannah’s east side. The city partnered with Mercy Housing and Community Housing Services Agency to redevelop the community, first built in the 1940s.
The new buildings are being built to Earthcraft standards, a green building certification specific to the climate and materials relevant to the Southeast.
Since redevelopment began in 2009, overall crime in the immediate area has been cut by more than half, from 235 incidents in 2008 to 103 in 2012, according to city officials. During the same time period, violent crimes dropped from 22 to 3.