It was really touching over the weekend to read so many heartfelt remembrances of Floyd Adams.
For those of us who did not know him personally, the comments and stories have added new dimensions to his legacy.
Adams was already a well-known force in local politics when he was elected Mayor in fall 1995. When he began his term in January 1996, I heard surprisingly candid comments from residents who did not hide the fact that they foresaw Savannah’s quick decline under black elected leadership.
Of course, Adams’ two terms turned out to be strong years for the local economy, fueled by fast growth in tourism, by SCAD’s expansion, by some good public policy decisions and by a host of other developments too numerous to mention here.
The ease with which Adams reached across racial and ideological barriers played a key role in keeping Savannah moving ahead. He also seemed to forge a strong and appropriate working relationship with city staff, especially City Manager Michael Brown.
In the days since Adams’ passing, there has been some renewed discussion of his 2003 comment that the Southside was in danger of becoming a “ghetto” because of poor property maintenance and other factors.
While “ghetto” may not have been the right word, Adams clearly had a point worth discussing.
And it’s an issue worth continued debate for all of Savannah’s neighborhoods with older housing stock, absentee landlords and struggles combating crime.
But don’t let that one comment overshadow Adams’ long history of concern about blight.
As detailed by an article in this newspaper, neighborhood deterioration was also discussed at a City Council retreat in 2002. At that meeting, Alderman Tony Thomas noted that the neighborhoods off Middleground Road seemed to be in decline, and Alderman David Jones feared that Cloverdale would be a ghetto in 20 years.
“Less than that,” replied Adams to Jones’ comment.
Adams’ concerns about blight and about quality of life issues went back even further, as I’m sure many readers remember.
In an April 1990 article in this newspaper about blight eradication projects in the southeast portion of the Landmark Historic District, Adams called for similar efforts on Savannah’s Westside, which he represented at the time. Blight became a main theme in his 1995 run for mayor. And this wasn’t all just talk.
During Adams’ tenure, the city launched the largely successful effort to revitalize the historic Cuyler-Brownsville neighborhood, which was just one of the projects begun under his watch.
My condolences to Adams’ family and friends.
City Talk appears every Sunday and Tuesday. Bill Dawers can be reached via billdawers@comcast.net. Send mail to 10 E. 32nd St., Savannah, GA 31401.