With new 100-home subdivision, businesses on the way, Guyton is ready for growth

Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News

Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News

Guyton Mayor Russ Deen is not wasting anytime preparing for growth.

The tiny town’s population of just nearly 3,000 is sure to grow in the coming years. More rooftops and businesses are coming and the city purchased a piece of property for $750,000, some of which they hope will go towards a YMCA. Updates to the town’s ball fields are in the works.

It is all part of Deen’s plan to ensure residents have basic amenities in their own backyard.

Residential: More than 100 homes on the way

Land is being cleared along Central Boulevard near the Guyton Pet Lodge to prep for more rooftops and commercial properties. Guyton Station will feature more than 100 homes and the town is still working on attracting businesses to fill commercial space.

“The new subdivision and commercial development on the south end of town should bring new businesses as well as new residents,” said Deen. “We've seen a few new citizens already because of the Hyundai plant and we're very excited about welcoming in the new Korean population that we will have living with us. There's going to be an amazing opportunity for cultural exchange and learning about how we live, how they live, what makes us the same and what makes us different.”

Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News

Recreation: Longtime dream of YMCA could become reality

An 11-acre track complete with ball fields and tennis courts has been in disrepair for years. Now, the city is taking action to repair the fields so children can enjoy recreational sports close to home. The county currently relies on the Effingham County Recreation Department to provide youth sports.

“We’ve had a lot of people ask about using the existing ball fields, bringing them up to code and making them usable,” said Deen. “We also want to include a soccer field and any number of recreation activities, including a pond, potentially and a walking trail. The options are endless and will be part of our comprehensive master plan we're working on now.”

Credit: Photo credit Matthew Walker

Between the ball fields and existing property the city purchased nearby, the area will bolster the community’s recreational needs.

“It was a prime purchase,” said Deen. “It will give us 26 uninterrupted acres for a recreation facility, as well as the existing structure on site, a church and an ancillary building.”

The city is hoping to add a YMCA near the ball fields. Deen said there is a need for daycare services as hardworking parents are in need of affordable childcare.

“My city manager, Meketa Brown, reached out and we set up a meeting with Joel Smoker, president and chief executive officer for YMCA of Coastal Georgia,” said Deen. “I set up a meeting and asked if they were interested. They were interested right off the bat and the things that they were considering bringing to Guyton are things we need.”

Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News

Looking ahead

A recent Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant awarded to the city to improve its sidewalks is the beginning of the many changes coming to Guyton. Deen also wants to see after school programs for teens, restaurants and mom and pop shops.

“We should have the essentials here,” said Deen. “There's enough people living here and it is not just Guyton citizens. There's an entire community that lives around Guyton using our stores, churches and other things. Even though they live in the county, their voices are important, too.”

Deen hopes the community will embrace the changes, saying long drives into town should be reminders as to why Guyton deserves to have basic amenities in town.

“Change is difficult for everyone but it's counterbalanced with excitement,” said Deen. “It reminds me of back in the day when everyone hated driving to Savannah, so Pooler exploded. Now Pooler has become Savannah and people want services nearby, so it presents a very interesting challenge. This is a good topic. You don't want to become where you hate to go to. You want to have the services and the needs of the community met without overwhelming the community.”