SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Mayor Van Johnson wanted to make it very clear that the City of Savannah had no say in eventually closing City Market at midnight, as City Market is privately owned.

The historic area is owned by Green Room Partners. Mayor Johnson said he doesn’t oppose safety measures out here as he says shootings that took place out here happened after midnight. Prefabricated House Kit

‘It’s about safety’: Savannah mayor addresses temporary fencing, changes at City Market

“It’s about safety,” Mayor Johnson said.

One of the owners of City Market, Rob Tulloch, said they wanted to make the area is more family friendly and less nightlife oriented and closing at midnight would help them achieve that goal. However, he said it could take years until they are able to close City Market at midnight because of current lease agreements with tenants.

Pictures from the business The Bar Bar show a gate surrounding the City Market courtyard. They say they felt this made it seem like they were closed at midnight, although they still close at 3 a.m., which was bad for businesses.

In a statement sent to WTOC on Tuesday, Tulloch said “We are dedicated to the continued success and preservation of City Market and its tenants. The configuration of the fence creates a pathway to the three businesses that are open past midnight, while closing the main courtyard for access to the other 37 businesses that are closed for the evening. We feel that this change provides more direction to those guests wanting to find a nightlife spot at City Market while helping maintain the security of the property and closed businesses after midnight.”

While Mayor Johnson said he wasn’t thrilled about the changes, he understands after multiple shootings there this summer. Johnson says he’s heard from concerned business owners about how closing earlier will affect business.

“Yea, some were disappointed but on the other end of it, the same ones are disappointed, dismayed when we have a violent incident to occur in the area,” Johnson said. “That’s bad for business for everybody as well. It’s about safety because my concern is that when something occurs, it falls in our laps.”

Johnson said he hopes with these changes comes more live entertainment to fill the City Market courtyard.