DOUBLE PRESERVATION ALERT, June 13, 2026: Please Send Comments on CAT Buses by June 16, 2026; Update on the Queensborough Bank Proposal

Please Write to CAT To Prevent More Visual Pollution by 2:00 PM Tuesday June 16, 2026

We have been informed that the Chatham Area Transit Authority (CAT) is planning to wrap its buses with paid-for advertising, increasing the visual blight that excessive advertising creates. This initiative creates the risk of the buses being entirely covered in gaudy jarring designs.

We also understand that CAT plans to placed lighted digital advertising in its bus shelters.

Since CAT operates throughout Chatham County, this new barrage of advertising will have a damaging effect on the visual experience in our historic downtown and other neighborhoods.

If you are concerned, please write an email BY TUESDAY JUNE 16, 2026 to both Ms. Stephanie Cutter, Director of CAT:  Stephanie.cutter@catchacat.org, and our alderman, Detric Leggett, Board Chair of CAT: dleggett@savannahga.gov. Please copy BOTH the OPC at opc.preservation@gmail.com and CAT at meetings@catchacat.org.  In the subject line put “Objection to Advertising Proposal for CAT Buses and Bus Shelters.”

Here’s a sample letter:

Dear Ms. Cutter and Alderman Leggett,

I object to the proposal to wrap CAT buses in advertising and to place digital advertising in bus shelters. This is an unwarranted intrusion of advertising into the public space, which creates visual blight and over-commercializes many residential and mixed-use communities. Please do not permit this uglification of our visual environment.

 

Sincerely,

 

[Signature]

[Address]

In addition, there is a public hearing on CAT’s budget at the CAT building at 900 East Gwinnett Street on June 16 at 4 PM. If you can, please attend the hearing. The public can testify.

Queensborough Bank Proposal Postponed to July or August

June 10, Queensborough Bank Proposal for the Northeast Corner of Habersham and Broughton Streets

On June 10, 2026, the Historic District Board of Review (HDBR) had scheduled a Part II Design Details hearing for the Queensborough Bank proposal on the northeast corner of East Broughton Street and Habersham Street. Prior to the hearing many of you wrote letters asking for the Ordinance to be enforced and asking the HDBR to continue this matter so that the bank could revise its design.

Your letters worked. The day before the hearing, the bank, which had apparently read some of the letters, decided to withdraw from the hearing. Our understanding is that they will offer a revised design at the next hearing.

Thanks to all of you who wrote letters. Your voice matters. The OPC had also written a detailed letter explaining why the design did not comply with the Ordinance.

  https://oglethorpeplancoalition.org/s/OPC_Letter_Final_2026_05_27_.pdf

The new design will likely come to the HDBR in July or August. We will keep you apprised of developments.