2012
LEGOLAND Discovery Center to Open at Phipps Plaza

A $12 million LEGOLAND Discovery Center will open on March 17, 2012, at Phipps Plaza, one of the Southeast’s premier shopping destinations. This highly interactive and educational indoor experience will feature a range of play areas, a laser ride, a 4D cinema and an exhibit designed of LEGOs to reflect the iconic Atlanta.mobi skyline.

One of the World’s Most Accessible Airports Expands

The latest improvements to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport include a $5.4 billion development program which will expand, repair and upgrade designated areas within the airport’s facilities. In spring 2012, a new international terminal will be completed, allowing passengers to access the landside without having to use an automated people mover. It will include access to the roadway, a parking structure and a provision for the southern MARTA extension to the terminal. Concourse E is expanding with 900,000 new square feet, including international passenger ticketing facilities, 12 additional gates, two levels of curb-front parking and approximately 1,100 public parking spaces adjacent to the terminal.

Stone Mountain Park Announces Geyser Towers, Set to Erupt Spring 2012

Stone Mountain Park announced plans to debut its latest attraction, Geyser Towers, set to open in March 2012. When it opens, Geyser Towers will bring an all-new, must-do experience to Stone Mountain Park. The attraction features multiple levels of suspended rope bridges and net tunnels, connecting visitors to towering platforms that overlook a gushing geyser. The first and only adventure of its kind in North America, Geyser Towers uses a closed loop system that borrows water from the Stone Mountain Lake in an effort to conserve water.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

The National Center for Civil and Human rights will open adjacent to the World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium and offer visitors insight into the contributions made by Atlantans and Georgians to the historic struggle for African-American freedom and equality. In addition, the Center will house the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection and feature interactive audio and video exhibits. The Center will also include a meeting and performance space for artistic and educational programming. The project will break ground at the end of 2012 and is scheduled to open in 2014.

Six Flags Over Georgia Celebrates Its 45th Season

Six Flags Over Georgia celebrates its 45th season in 2012. The park introduces its newest feature called iLuinate, an all-new show in the dark featuring state-of-the-art light-up costumes and lighting effects. The 20-minute show will run three times a day and is featured at an indoor theater which seats 250-300 people. iLuminate opens over Memorial Day Weekend and will run through the summer season.

2013
Streetcars Come to Downtown Atlanta

Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2011 on new Atlanta streetcars, which will transport visitors from the convention corridor downtown to the east side of the city, passing the city’s top attractions and winding through in town neighborhoods. Expected completion of the $47.6 million project is late 2012 with service beginning in mid 2013.

Atlanta to Have College Football Hall of Fame

The College Football Hall of Fame is relocating to a $50 million multi-level facility in Atlanta, opening to the public in the fall of 2013. Adjacent to the Georgia World Congress Center, the 50,000-square-foot, multi-floored structure will give football fans a shrine for recognizing the game’s top competitors. In addition to memorabilia and exhibits, the attraction will also feature a large outdoor screen for game viewing and bring some of the game’s biggest names for annual induction ceremonies.

Porsche Builds One-of-a-Kind Customer and Driver Experience Center in Atlanta

Porsche has chosen Atlanta as the new home for its North American headquarters as well as North America’s first Customer and Driver Experience Center. The center, which will feature a test track, restaurant and shop for Porsche-branded goods, will allow employees and visitors to see, hear, feel and experience what it’s like to drive a Porsche automobile. Scheduled to open in late 2013, the organization chose Atlanta for its $100 million investment due to the accessibility into the city. The site will be located adjacent to the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Airport.