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Environmental Practices and Growth Opportunities for Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Dome to be Reviewed
 
KANSAS CITY, MO – HOK Sport Venue Event was recently selected to study the future of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority. The campus includes the Georgia World Congress Center, the Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park.

"HOK has unique expertise in urban planning and in each of the building types, which makes it possible for us to look at the campus holistically – rather than building by building – and evaluate its needs," said Dennis Wellner, HOK Sport Senior Principal. "Our goal is to look at the long term needs and opportunities for the campus and not to limit the vision for the future in the short term."

With a campus as large as the GWCCA, new projects are typically undertaken independently, at times limiting the broader view of the entire development and its future. This master planning project provides a terrific opportunity to stand back and explore how the various pieces can best work together in the future and as a whole contribute to the future success of Atlanta.

The Georgia World Congress Center originally opened in 1976. Currently at 3.9 million square feet, it is among one of the largest convention centers in the nation. The Georgia Dome opened in 1992 as the home to the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. It seats 71,250 for football and up to 80,000 for special events, and it is recognized as the largest cable-supported dome stadium in the world. Centennial Olympic Park was built for the 1996 Olympic Games and was rededicated as a community gathering place two years later. It is the largest center city park to be developed in the United States in the last 20 years.

"Our campus is very unique in the convention, sports and entertainment industry," said GWCCA Executive Director Dan Graveline. "Located in downtown Atlanta, strategic growth that benefits our operations and works well for our neighbors is a top priority. We are looking forward to HOK's expertise and developing that growth strategy."

HOK will prepare a long range plan for improvement to the GWCC campus, address improvement to help meet current needs of the facility and develop options for operating the facilities with an eye toward enhanced sustainability. HOK also will study potential sites for expansion, renovation or replacement of the Georgia Dome and elements of the Georgia World Congress Center.

"HOK has demonstrated success in this master planning process, which can have significant impact on creating more successful cities through good urban integration of these massive buildings," said Wellner.

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