College Football Hall of Fame Begins Construction on Jan. 28 in Downtown Atlanta

The College Football Hall of Fame began construction today on the site of its new home in downtown Atlanta, with plans for completion in fall 2014. The groundbreaking date was announced and celebrated in a press conference on Dec. 31 at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center, featuring members of the National Football Foundation, including NFF Chairman Archie Manning, and Atlanta Hall Management, Inc., alongside Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.

The College Football Hall of Fame will be relocated from South Bend, Ind., to downtown Atlanta on the site currently known as the “Green Lot” of the Georgia World Congress Center. Construction crews from Brasfield & Gorrie began work preparing the site today. Initial construction will focus on the parking deck that will replace the green lot and will service the Hall.

“We are thrilled that the project has reached this point,” said Steve Hatchell, President and CEO of the National Football Foundation.

The $66.5 million project will solidify Atlanta as the premier destination for college football fans nationwide, delivering a highly immersive, interactive and engaging experience for its visitors. Situated in the heart of the city’s burgeoning tourism and convention district, the Hall will be adjacent to the Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Dome and Omni Hotel at CNN Center, and just steps from Centennial Olympic Park, the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium and the future National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

“Not only will the Hall provide a one-of-a-kind experience for college football fans, but it will be a great complement to all that Atlanta has to offer its residents and visitors,” said John Stephenson, interim president and CEO of the Hall.

The state-of-the-art facility, at 94,256 square feet, will feature historic and contemporary artifacts, interactive multimedia displays, children’s activities, a theater featuring a 3D/4K film on the history and excitement of college football, meeting facilities, event spaces and support services. In addition to being a valuable marketing asset for the State of Georgia and the City of Atlanta, the new attraction is expected to have a significant economic impact on downtown Atlanta, with a projected $11.8 million in taxable sales from tickets, retail and events each year. During its construction, the project is expected have a total direct and indirect economic impact of $67.3 million for the city and state.