A $276 million project to double the size and capacity of the Savannah Convention Center in Georgia is facing construction delays, the Georgia State Finance and Investment Commission announced on February 20. With the completion of the material initially planned for last year, its planned opening was delayed. until May this year and work is now expected to be reduced further beyond that date.
“Various construction challenges” created the delay, according to the state commission. Officials said in a statement that they are working with Clark Construction Group, the project’s general contractor and construction manager, to determine a new schedule.
The exact cause of the delays remains disputed, but a commission spokesman wrote in an email that officials “identified issues with workplace productivity, coordination efforts and work sequencing that must be improved to mitigate continued delays and ensure that the project is delivered to the expected quality.” for all parties involved”.
As for the additional costs associated with the delays, the spokesman said the commission is reviewing and approving applications that meet the requirements of the contract. They added that Clark “was heavily involved in preconstruction efforts and design development, and the analysis of any additional costs must take this involvement into account.” But they did not specify the amount of the added costs.
“As we work to complete the convention center, we will protect the financial interests of the state, hardworking Georgians, project subcontractors and all of our financial partners,” said Gerald Pilgrim, the commission’s chief of staff, in a statement
Representatives for Clark did not immediately respond to inquiries about the delay.
The existing 330,000-square-foot convention center opened in 2000. Expanding the facility is needed to attract more visitors to the area, state officials have said.
The expansion project includes a 100,000 square meter exhibition hall, a 40,000 square meter ballroom, 15 meeting rooms and a parking structure with more than 900 spaces. The works started in 2021.
While the delay is expected to affect some events planned at the convention center, Mark Smith, who chairs the Savannah Georgia Convention Center Authority, said in a statement that the existing convention center remains open.
“This is a short-term construction delay, but we remain focused on our long-term vision to create an exceptional experience for everyone who visits Savannah,” Smith said.
