Park Service official says compromise possible on Savannah bus terminal

SAVANNAH - The National Park Service official who declared Savannah&#39;s historic district endangered by a proposed $13 million bus terminal said Thursday he believes a compromise will be reached. <br> <br> The southeast chief for the National REgister of Historic Places, Cecil McKithan, said he felt positive something will happen to cause him to remove his proclamation that Savannah&#39;s status as a National Historic Landmark is in jeopardy. <br> <br> McKithan met behind closed doors at City Hall with city and county officials, as well as planners and opponents of the block-long bus terminal planned for the western edge of the historic district. <br> <br> Chatham County officials say the terminal -- which would include an indoor bus stop, retail space and a parking garage -- needs a location central to downtown so riders won&#39;t have to walk too far to work or shop. <br> <br> Opponents say the terminal would clog the already congested historic district with traffic and hinder efforts to restore Elbert Square, a sliver of grass since the square was paved over in the 1930s. <br> <br> In February, McKithan declared the city&#39;s status as a Historic Landmark threatened and endangered -- meaning Savannah could lose the designation if the bus terminal is built inside the historic district. <br> <br> Losing its landmark designation would cost Savannah its place on the National Register, a prestigious perk used to promote tourism that also brings in millions of dollars in grants for historic preservation. <br> <br> At 2.1 square miles, the Savannah district is the largest Historic Landmark in the nation.

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