Cultural Resources Survey of the New Hodge Elementary School Project, Savannah

Between 12 and 14 June 2013, Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted an intensive Phase I cultural resources survey of an 18.07 -acre proposed new Hodge Elementary School campus in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. Construction of the new Hodge Elementary School will include a new school building, parking, recreational facilities, and stormwater management facilities. This cultural resources survey was conducted for EMC Engineering to determine whether any known historic properties (i.e., sites, buildings, structures, objects, or districts listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places [NRHP]) may be affected by the construction and use of the school and associated improvements. The investigation was completed as a permit requirement pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended through 2006). The Phase I cultural resources survey of the New Hodge Elementary School Project resulted in the identification of two newly recorded archaeological sites and three newly recorded historic architectural resources within the project Area of Potential Effects (APE). The two archaeological sites (9CH1353 and 9CH1354) are twentieth-century artifact scatters. We recommend these two sites not eligible for the NRHP. The three architectural resources are Resource 1, Atlantic Coast Line Railroad rail spur; Resource 2, the Savannah, Albany, and Gulf Railroad (now CSX Transportation) corridor; and Resource 3, the Jackson Park/Cann Park Neighborhood Historic District. Resource 1 is recommended ineligible for the NRHP, and Resources 2 and 3 are recommended eligible for the NRHP. An Assessment of Effects was conducted in association with Resource 2 and Resource 3. Project plans call for the construction of a new school in the project area adjacent to the DeRenne Middle School. The proposed school, athletic fields, and parking lots would not encroach on the recommended NRHP boundary of Resource 2, the Savannah, Albany, and Gulf Railroad (now CSX Transportation) corridor and would not interfere with the operation of this active railroad corridor. Therefore, the proposed project would have no adverse effect on Resource 2. Currently Resource 3, the Jackson Park/Cann Park Neighborhood Historic District, is an African American neighborhood consisting of residential housing, parks, and schools built in the early to middle twentieth century. In addition, the neighborhood contains schools such as the Beech High School complex on Hopkins Street, most of which is non-historic. Immediately south of the proposed district is the project area and the DeRenne Middle school, which was built in 2000. Because the proposed historic district already contains historic and non- historic school buildings and De Renne Middle school is located within the viewshed of the district, the construction of an additional school would not significantly change the viewshed of the proposed historic district. The construction of an additional school within the viewshed would not change the current or future use of the proposed historic district as a residential African American neighborhood. As a result, the project would not have an adverse effect on Resource 3, the Jackson Park/Cann Park Neighborhood Historic District. We recommend cultural resource clearance for the NRHP-ineligible archaeological sites 9CH1353 and 9CH1354, and for the NRHP-ineligible architectural Resource 1 (Atlantic Coastline Railroad rail spur). In addition, because the proposed project would not have an adverse effect on NRHP-eligible architectural Resource 2 and architectural Resource 3, cultural resource clearance is also recommended for these two resources and for this project. No further cultural resource management considerations for this project are warranted.