News

Remake of Georgia state Capitol grounds largest since Jimmy Carter

A rendering of Liberty Plaza, which will be the first non-parking addition to the Capitol Hill since the Twin Towers were completed in 1980s. Georgia Building Authority
A rendering of Liberty Plaza, which will be the first non-parking addition to the Capitol Hill since the Twin Towers were completed in 1980s. Georgia Building Authority
By James Salzer
April 26, 2014

Crews will soon start demolishing a 60-year-old parking deck across from the Georgia state Capitol to create Liberty Plaza, a public area with green space and enough real estate to hold rallies of more than 3,000 people.

Work has already started on renovating the Great Depression-era Department of Transportation building at the corner of Capitol Square and Capitol Avenue, and on giving a face lift to the entrance to the “front door” of the Capitol on Washington Street.

Combined, the projects are expected to cost more than $17 million. But they may be only the start of renewal of the Capitol Hill, which was once home to factories, homes and rail lines. Other projects on the horizon:

Go to MyAJC.com to read more about what's underway, view historic photos of the Capitol grounds and see an interactive graphic showing how planners envisioned a plaza near the Capitol dating as far back as 1910.