Kasim Reed made a major announcement on Fri., Dec. 28, the final press conference of term as mayor of Atlanta. Reed announced a massive expansion of Piedmont Park, with a hefty price tag of $100 million.
The city has made agreements to buy approximately five acres of land around the intersection of Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive for $20 million. Currently, the intersection is home to a strip mall which houses several restaurants, a gas station, a dry cleaner and a hair salon.
The remainder of the $80 million purchase, Reed said, is expected to come from philanthropic donations. A committee has been organized to raise the necessary funds.
At a press conference held earlier in the day, Reed, made the announcement that the city has targeted $26.5 million to build what he called phase one of the Westside Park at Bellwood Quarry, an area spanning 280 acres.
“This is not the largest addition to Piedmont Park, yet, but I think It’s going to be the most consequential in the long term,” Reed said.
During the press conference, Reed cited the high cost of real estate and increasing development projects as the reason the city must respond quickly to complete the park expansion.
Mayor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms attended both press conferences.
Bottoms will be inaugurated Tue., Jan. 2, 2018.
