Atlanta
(2008-09-15)
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Coca Cola's offer puts the center where tourists already flock, and potentially saves $10 to $20 million that the Center would otherwise spend to buy land downtown. But some, including members of the King Family, have said a center that honors Atlanta's contribution to civil rights should be located where that work happened, near Auburn Avenue.
Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin believes it will serve as a launching point to direct visitors to Auburn Avenue:
FRANKLIN: The Center will be not the only thing that one would want to know about civil and human rights either in the country, or the city, but become a portal to all of the other activities and programs.
Doug Shipman, executive director of the Center, says Coke's gift helps the project open debt-free, and it strengthens the center's chances of winning money from private donors.
The project has raised about half of its $125 million budget so far.
Shipman hopes to break ground in 2009.
© Copyright 2009, WABE
