But the recession has put those plans on hold, said Governor Sonny Perdue’s chief financial officer, Thomas Hills. Perdue targeted $15m in his 2009 budget for rejuvenation of the site, including renovation of heating and air conditioning systems, electrical work and changes to the layout. That funding was pulled as the state cut spending to balance the budget. “It wasn’t time-essential,” Hills said of renovation plans.
World of Coca-Cola moved to a new building next to the Georgia Aquarium two years ago, aiming to attract a million people every year.
Officials first began considering a state museum when Max Cleland was secretary of state in the early 1990s, Hills said. The state commissioned a study to look at possible locations around the capital building. “We’re one of the few states without a history museum,” Hills added.
Officials determined that if Coca-Cola ever left its old spot, the building could be a possibility, Hills said. The state bought the building for about $1m. But Mark Newton – director of the hotel, restaurant and tourism management programme at Gwinnett Technical College – said the site isn’t the best location. Despite being just steps from Underground Atlanta, it lacks a critical mass of activities around it to pull visitors in. A $450m plan to bring video lottery gambling, restaurants and a hotel to Underground could have pumped up interest, but that particular deal lacks momentum.
“It would be great if it was in walking distance of the Georgia Aquarium or the (new) World of Coke,” said Newton. “I don’t know if Underground is a big draw.”
If the state museum becomes a reality, the building could house artefacts that are currently on the upper floors of the Capital, Hills said. It could also include collections from the state archive in Morrow in addition to travelling exhibits from around Georgia. In the meantime, the state building authority performs routine maintenance on the old World of Coke building to make sure it still functions properly, said spokeswoman Katy Pando.
“An empty building is never the preferred situation,” said Pando. “We know that the old World of Coke is in a great location, and for many years served as a catalyst for tourist traffic. We’re hopeful that in the near future, the building will again attract thousands to the area.”
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
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