Headed by Arthur M. Blank, co-founder of Home Depot and owner of the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons, the foundation made two contributions of $20 million and $15 million. The foundation also pledged $2.5 million to the Trust For Public Land to buy 1,400 acres of park land along the city's proposed Beltline, according to the organization's prepared statement.
The planned concert hall at 14th and Peachtree streets would have a 2,000-seat hall designed by Santiago Calatrava. A tentative groundbreaking date is set for 2008 with an anticipated opening in 2011.
The Beltline's conceptual plans show a total 2,014 acres in four new parks and four existing parks. Blank donated more than $1.1 million to the trust and pledged the remaining $1.4 million to be paid when other philanthropic organizations contribute another $1.4 million.
Only about 350 acres of the proposed park land are owned privately. About 80% of the park land and greenways are already in public hands, owned by Atlanta, Fulton County, the state Department of Transportation and Marta, according to Trust officials.
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