Coca-Cola Company Chairman and CEO Neville Isdell today announced the contribution of a 2.5 acre tract of land to the City of Atlanta for the construction of a civil rights museum. Citing its position as the preeminent Atlanta-based corporation, Isdell called it fitting that The Coca-Cola Company should play a substantial role in turning the vision for an Atlanta-based civil rights museum into reality. Preliminary terms call for an agreement under which the City will lease the land for a fee of $1 per year and construct the museum on the site.
The announcement was made at the Atlanta Rotary Club’s weekly meeting and was attended by a cross-section of business, elected officials and civil rights leaders. Isdell noted his days as student activist in South Africa and a shared belief with City of Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin that a civil rights museum belonged in Atlanta as key drivers for the Company’s decision.
"From their donation of the land for the Georgia Aquarium to financial support for the return of Dr. King’s personal papers, our friends at Coca-Cola continue to help us raise the profile of the city," said Mayor Franklin.
"The Company has owned this land for quite some time and our position has always been that we’d use this land for highest and best use for the residents of Atlanta," said Isdell. "Atlanta’s reputation as the cradle of the civil rights movement makes it an ideal location for a civil rights museum and positioning it in one of the City’s entertainment and cultural destinations is a highly appropriate use of this land.”
The new civil rights museum will be located across from the World of Coca-Cola near Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Baker Street. Both attractions will be located across from the Georgia Aquarium in Pemberton Place. Pemberton Place was formed in 2005 and named in memory of John S. Pemberton, the Atlanta pharmacist who invented Coca-Cola in 1886.
Pemberton Place is within walking distance of premier Atlanta destinations including the Georgia Aquarium, Philips Arena, CNN Center and The Children's Museum of Atlanta.
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