In his last act as Atlanta’s mayor, Kasim Reed announced the expansion of Piedmont Park, the city’s emerald green crown jewel. Reed is poised to leave the city on a high note, with Mayor-elect Keisha Lance-Bottoms set to guide the city to new heights.
Job one for Lance-Bottoms is to secure the Amazon deal, which would bring the city a worldclass headquarters for the world’s No. 1 online retailer.
Reed said that the city is in the middle of purchasing five acres at the corner of Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive. The parcel will cost the city $20 million, a low amount considering the rapid pace of real estate appreciation in the area.
Reed said that before the deal is complete, the city will acquire a few more parcels. He has appointed Home Depot Chief Financial Officer Carol B. Tome to chair a committee to raise the remaining $80 million from Atlanta’s philanthropic community, the AJC reports.