City Selects Senior Director of Real Estate Services and Capital Projects • Savannah Herald

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Following a national recruitment search, the City of Savannah has appointed Cristy Llewellyn Lawrence as Senior Director of Real Estate and Capital Projects within the Management Services Service Center.

Lawrence brings more than 30 years of experience in civil engineering, real estate development, and capital project management across both the public and private sectors. She has served the City of Savannah for more than 12 years, including seven years as Senior Director of Capital Projects Management. Most recently, she served as Acting Senior Director of Real Estate and Capital Projects.

In her previous role, Lawrence provided senior leadership for a diverse portfolio of large-scale capital projects totaling more than $500 million. These projects included major civic, public safety, and community facility investments that support neighborhood vitality and enhance quality of life across Savannah.

“Cristy brings a wealth of experience and a strong understanding of the organization,” said City Manager Jay Melder. “She has led complex projects across multiple service areas, and her leadership will support the City as it moves forward with its real estate and capital initiatives.”

Prior to joining the City, Lawrence spent 18 years in the private sector providing engineering consulting and design services for public and private clients. She is a licensed Professional Engineer and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration from Georgia Southern University.

At the end of 2025, the City reorganized Capital Projects Management as a division within the Department of Real Estate Services to strengthen coordination and improve operational efficiency. This reorganization brought real estate, facilities maintenance, and capital project delivery under a single department, allowing for a more integrated approach to planning, investment, and implementation. Civic Center Operations continues to be housed within the department, allowing for a more integrated approach to managing City assets.

As a result, the Department of Real Estate and Capital Projects now manages the full life cycle of the City’s real estate portfolio. Responsibilities include property acquisitions and dispositions, lease administration, facility maintenance for City-owned properties, oversight of operating contracts for major venues such as the Civic Center and Enmarket Arena, and the construction, implementation, inspection, and budget management of capital projects.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue this work and for the trust placed in me,” Lawrence said. “This role allows us to take a more coordinated approach to managing the City’s facilities and capital projects, and I look forward to working with our teams to deliver projects that serve our residents and support City operations.”