Political Insider

Plan to remake Centennial Olympic Park gets a $10M boost

Nov 12, 2015

The $25 million plan to remake downtown Atlanta's state-owned signature park got a big boost.

The Woodruff Foundation will donate $10 million to the Georgia World Congress Center for its Centennial Olympic Park plan. The same foundation two decades ago helped lay the groundwork to transform the 21-acre park into a downtown jewel.

Sweeping changes are coming to the area with the construction of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the pending implosion of the Georgia Dome and plans for a high-end hotel on the western edge of the convention center complex.

The changes envisioned for Centennial include new event space on park grounds with a downstairs restaurant, turning a section of Andrew Young International Boulevard into a pedestrian walkway and a new entrance to the greenspace.

Frank Poe, the Congress Center’s executive director, said he’s “tremendously grateful and excited” by the Woodruff Foundation’s investment. The search for the remaining $15 million, meanwhile, continues.

About the Author

Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution's chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.

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