Politics
Politics

Historic preservation or historic giveaway?

The Clermont Hotel, left, and an abandoned power plant in Savannah stand to benefit from state tax credits for historic properties.
The Clermont Hotel, left, and an abandoned power plant in Savannah stand to benefit from state tax credits for historic properties.
By James Salzer
Aug 29, 2015

Atlanta's iconic and seedy Clermont Hotel, once home to strippers on the stage of the Clermont Lounge, now has something in common with an abandoned Georgia Power plant in Savannah.

Both are eligible for tax credits for historic preservation, thanks to last-minute legislation passed by the 2015 General Assembly.

The credits will help transform the Clermont into a boutique hotel. They'll also help a Savannah developer turn the century-old power plant into an entertainment-hotel megaplex with a music venue, pricey hotel rooms and laser shows.

Historic preservation or historic giveaway? Preservationists and politicians are sharply divided.

Click here to view a special myAJC presentation on the controversy, and what developer Richard Kessler has in store for Savannah.

About the Author

James Salzer has covered state government and politics in Georgia since 1990. He previously covered politics and government in Texas and Florida. He specializes in government finance, budgets, taxes, campaign finance, ethics and legislative history

Follow James Salzer on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

In a 17-page ruling, Senior Superior Court Judge David Emerson said the fines — levied against the board as a group — will begin Friday at noon and not stop until the two GOP nominees are seated. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Judge finds Fulton County commissioners in civil contempt

Board of Commissioners must appoint two Republicans to the county Election Board or pay $10,000 daily fines.

Candidates head for a runoff in north metro state Senate race

A Democrat will move into a runoff election to represent a stretch of Fulton and Cherokee counties that has been a Republican stronghold for decades.

LISTEN

Black women’s unemployment is rising nationwide. What about in Georgia?

Tia Mitchell discusses the economy with Georgia Budget and Policy Institute’s Ife Finch Floyd and AJC business editor Scott Trubey.

The Latest

In a 17-page ruling, Senior Superior Court Judge David Emerson said the fines — levied against the board as a group — will begin Friday at noon and not stop until the two GOP nominees are seated. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Judge finds Fulton County commissioners in civil contempt

LISTEN

Black women’s unemployment is rising nationwide. What about in Georgia?

OPINION

Famous dads, family money give 2026 hopefuls an early edge

Featured

John Raulet, a partner in Raulet Property Partners, stands in the soundstage at Mailing Street Stageworks, Tuesday, August 26, 2025, in Atlanta. Raulet’s company has either converted or sold off all but one of its soundstages amid a downturn in film production in the U.S. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Amid production slowdown, Atlanta soundstage pioneers look to pull back

Times are tough for operators of TV and film production campuses after years of a Hollywood boom in Georgia.

Candidates head for a runoff in north metro state Senate race

A Democrat will move into a runoff election to represent a stretch of Fulton and Cherokee counties that has been a Republican stronghold for decades.

New ‘Leaving Atlanta’ sign pops up after beloved marker goes missing

A new ‘Leaving Atlanta’ sign has popped up on Ponce de Leon Avenue after the original vanished. No one knows who installed either version of the beloved landmark.