Ga. 400 park could include amphitheater, garden

By Collin Kelley

A 2,000-seat amphitheater, a garden and an area for markets and events could be included in the proposed park over Ga. 400, the executive director of the Buckhead Community Improvement District told members of the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods recently. Calling the park a priority, BCID Executive Director Jim Durrett said the organization is halfway through a year-long study on the half-mile-long greenspace and gathering spot, which would stretch from the Atlanta Financial Center on Peachtree Road to the Lenox Road/Ga. 400 interchange.

The park would cost anywhere from $195 million to $245 million to build and another $2 million per year to maintain, Durrett said. He said BCID would be looking for federal and state dollars, as well as corporate, foundation and private contributions to build the park. Durrett told BCN members during the group’s Jan. 12 meeting that the BCID is talking with officials at the Atlanta Botanical Garden about maintaining the garden portion of the park.

Originally proposed by BCID, the park is now part of the “BUCKHEAD REdeFINED” master planning effort for the central commercial district’s streetscape, which is overseen by Livable Buckhead. As part of the process, the park’s feasibility and funding sources are being examined.

The BCN also heard an update from GDOT area manager Brad Humphrey on the timeline for improvements to the Moores Mill and Northside Parkway intersection. The project is scheduled to be complete by November.