Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that the City of Atlanta has agreed to purchase 2.94 acres of land located at the corner of Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive for the historic expansion of Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The acquisition of the property was overwhelmingly approved by the Atlanta City Council on May 21.

“I am delighted to announce that we are, once again, committing to enhancing world-class greenspace that will provide residents, families and visitors with access to healthy recreation and spectacular natural beauty in the heart of our City,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “The expansion of Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden will resonate for decades to come as they serve more visitors through enhanced spaces and a new connection to the Atlanta BeltLine.

“Thank you to the Piedmont Park Conservancy and the Botanical Garden for their partnership in this visionary project.  It will transform the corner of Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive and provide a landmark gateway entrance to the crown jewel of our park system,” said Mayor Bottoms.

As the City moves forward, the Department of Parks and Recreation will host a series of community meetings to incorporate public feedback into the design of the pedestrian trails, the trail connections and access to the Atlanta BeltLine, as well as the expanded Piedmont Park and Atlanta Botanical Garden.

The City will pay up to $20.4 million for the property with a majority of funds coming from the TSPLOST, Atlanta BeltLine,Inc. and the Department of Parks and Recreation. A philanthropic effort to raise $80 million in private funds for the full development and expansion of Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden will be led by Carol Tomé, Chair of the Atlanta Botanical Garden Board of Directors and Chief Financial Officer of The Home Depot.

The property is currently operated as a retail development subject to commercial lease, whose income will be used to offset costs until each lease expires or terminates, and the expansion of Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden begins.