You might have noticed things are feeling a little more "Hollywood" than usual if you’ve been walking down River Street lately. It isn't just the tourists. Breaking news in Savannah right now involves film crews, major infrastructure overhauls, and some massive tax news from the state capitol that is actually going to put cash back in your pocket.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of.
Between the hum of the movie cameras and the roar of the construction equipment at the Port Wentworth water plant, the city is changing fast. If you’re living here, you’ve probably seen the detours or heard the whispers about a certain movie star grabbing coffee downtown. Here is the real story on what’s happening in the Hostess City of the South this week.
Hollywood Comes to the Talmadge Bridge
Production has officially ramped up for Road House 2.
Yes, the sequel to the Amazon MGM Studios remake is currently filming right here in Savannah. Jake Gyllenhaal is back as Dalton, and while the first movie took place in the Florida Keys, the sequel has brought the action to our cobblestone streets. Residents have spotted production crews near the Eugene Talmadge Bridge and various spots along the riverfront.
It isn't just Jake, either. The cast is basically a massive "who's who" of action stars. We’re talking Dave Bautista, Aldis Hodge, and Iko Uwais. Even Rob Delaney and Peter Sarsgaard are in the mix. While the plot is being kept under wraps, the sheer scale of the production is hard to miss.
If you’re trying to navigate downtown, be prepared for some sporadic sidewalk closures. Local businesses are seeing a nice bump in foot traffic, but the parking situation? Yeah, it’s about as fun as you’d expect.
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The $146 million Fix for Savannah’s Water
Moving away from the cameras, there is some seriously important work happening in Port Wentworth. On January 9, 2026, local leaders officially broke ground on a massive expansion of the surface water treatment plant.
This is a $146 million project.
Why does this matter? Well, Savannah has been growing way faster than its old pipes can handle. With the new Hyundai Meta Plant in Bryan County and thousands of new residents moving into the region, we’re hitting a wall.
Ron Feldner, Savannah’s water resources chief, says this project is designed to protect the Floridan aquifer. Right now, the city is permitted to pull about 58 million gallons a day from Abercorn Creek. This expansion could eventually push that to 90 million gallons. Basically, they are making sure that when you turn on the tap ten years from now, something actually comes out.
Why the Aquifer Matters
For a long time, we relied almost entirely on the underground aquifer. But you can't just keep pumping that forever without consequences like saltwater intrusion. By shifting the load to surface water from the Savannah River, the city is playing the long game. It’s expensive, sure, but it’s the only way to keep the economic engine running without destroying the local environment.
Governor Kemp’s 2026 Cash Injection
While the city deals with water and movies, the news from Atlanta is also hitting home. Governor Brian Kemp delivered his 2026 State of the State address this week, and the big takeaway is a $1 billion tax rebate.
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If you’re a single filer, you’re looking at roughly $250.
Married couples? Up to $500.
Kemp is also pushing to drop the state income tax rate down to 4.99%—a move he says is three years ahead of schedule. For the average Savannah family struggling with the cost of groceries and rent, this isn't just political noise; it’s actual grocery money.
The Governor also proposed a $2,000 pay supplement for state employees, including teachers and public safety officers. If you work for the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System or the local state offices, keep an eye on your paystub in the coming months.
Road Work and MLK Day Disruptions
If you have to drive, I’m sorry.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has a laundry list of projects active right now. The big one is the I-95 widening near the South Carolina border, which is going to be a headache until late 2027.
Closer to home, expect nightly lane closures on I-516 between Louisville Road and Tremont Road for bridge maintenance. They are doing striping and markings, mostly between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
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Also, a quick heads-up for Monday: The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade is going to shut down most of downtown traffic. The parade starts at 10 a.m. on January 19. If you aren't going to the parade, just stay away from the historic district entirely. Seriously.
Crime and Safety: The Mayor’s Update
Mayor Van Johnson recently shared some data regarding safety, and it’s a mixed bag. The good news? Shootings are down about 16% and non-fatal victims have dropped 22%.
But it hasn't been a quiet start to the year.
The Savannah Police Department is currently investigating a shooting that happened on January 16 at Waters Avenue and Bolton Street. Thankfully, the injuries were non-life-threatening. Earlier this month, police also made arrests in several fatal shooting cases from late 2025, including a 19-year-old suspect in connection to a shooting on West Gwinnett Street.
The city is still reeling from the strange acid attack in Forsyth Park that happened recently. Mayor Johnson admitted these kinds of "new" crimes are forcing the department to adapt. They’re focusing heavily on gun reduction and inter-agency cooperation, but with the city’s population doubling every day due to commuters and tourists, the logistics are a nightmare.
Practical Steps for Residents
- Tax Rebate: You don't usually have to do anything extra to get the rebate if you've already filed your taxes, but make sure your address is updated with the Georgia Department of Revenue.
- Traffic: Download the 511 GA app. With the film crews and the I-516 work, the "usual" shortcuts are probably blocked.
- Water Conservation: Even with the plant expansion, the city is still encouraging smart water use. Check your irrigation timers; the city has strict schedules based on your address.
The city feels like it’s at a turning point. We’ve got the old-world charm, but we’re building the infrastructure of a much larger metro area. Whether it’s watching Jake Gyllenhaal throw a punch or watching a construction crew lay a 48-inch water pipe, there is no shortage of breaking news in Savannah to keep us busy.
Keep an eye on the state legislative session through March. More changes to property tax caps are on the table, which could be even more impactful than the one-time rebate for those of us living in the historic or Victorian districts where values have skyrocketed.