Mayor Kasim Reed and community leaders are expected to gather next month to discuss the future of Atlanta Cyclorama, including what can be done to boost attendance and whether to renovate or move the facility.
The Grant Park attraction, largely devoted to telling the story of the Battle of Atlanta during the Civil War in a 42-by-358-foot painting, has struggled financially during the past three to four years, shrinking its staff from 12 to 5 employees and reducing its days of operation from six to five.
Opened in 1921, Cyclorama, which sits next to Zoo Atlanta just east of downtown, has an annual operating budget of about $500,000, said Camille Love, director of Atlanta's Office of Cultural Affairs. The funding comes from ticket and merchandising sales and hosting special events.
"The city does not contribute to the ongoing operations of Cyclorama, so we are seeking ideas on ways to sustain it for future generations," Love said.
But the discussion comes at a time of tight funding for museums and attractions.
Several, including the proposed National Health Museum and symphony center for Midtown, have been put on hold for lack of funds. Others, such as the College Football Hall of Fame and the Center for Human and Civil Rights, have seen their opening dates pushed back or their size reduced because of the economy.
Options that may be on the table for Cyclorama include renovating the current building or moving it to a new location, such as near the Atlanta History Center or around Centennial Olympic Park with the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola.
If Cyclorama were to move, it would increase expansion options for Zoo Atlanta, which has a long-term plan to reconfigure its footprint.
"Anytime property adjacent to us becomes available, we would certainly have interest in it and the Cyclorama property would be no exception," said Raymond King, Zoo Atlanta president and chief executive officer. "However, for us to discuss specific uses would be premature at this time."
Attendance at Cyclorama -- which annually is about 70,000 visitors -- has increased about 10 percent between July 2010 and July 2011, largely because of the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, which began in April, Love said. And the facility has a number of special events planned for the next four years of the Civil War observance that leaders think will increase foot traffic.
Still, Love said the facility's long-range needs must be addressed, including refurbishing the facility's exhibits updating its interior, which has not been done since the 1996 Summer Olympics.
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