The city of Atlanta approved this week spending up to $20.4 million for almost 3 acres to expand Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
The acquisition of the property, located at the corner of Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive, was approved by City Council on May 21. It's the latest development in the park's $100 million expansion, which was announced in December during former Mayor Kasim Reed's final press conference.
The land includes retail property at 1518 Monroe Drive, including Hobnob Neighborhood Tavern. The lease revenue from those businesses will be used to “offset costs until each lease expires or terminates,” a press release said. The timeline for when the land will be turned into park space isn’t yet clear.
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The majority of funds for the purchase will come from the city through the TSPLOST, Atlanta Beltline Inc. and the Department of Parks and Recreation, the announcement said.
Carol Tome, chair of the Atlanta Botanical Garden board of directors and Home Depot CFO, will lead an effort to raise $80 million in private funds.
The 2.94-acre expansion will “resonate for decades to come,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
“It will ... provide a landmark gateway entrance to the crown jewel of our park system,” she said in a statement.
A series of meetings will be held to get public feedback for the design of pedestrian trails, trail connections and access to the Atlanta Beltline.
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Credit: AJC
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