The Home Depot and Mercedes-Benz Stadium announce green space plans for Georgia Dome property

Officials from The Home Depot and Mercedes-Benz Stadium have announced The Home Depot Backyard, a 13-acre greenspace on the current Georgia Dome footprint in Atlanta, to be used for game day parking, arts and culture events, entertainment and community activation beginning in 2018.

To unveil the renderings, Arthur Blank, chairman, AMB Group, and Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president, The Home Depot were joined by David Allman, GWCCA Board of Governors Chairman, and Mayor Kasim Reed as well as several representatives from nonprofits serving the Westside community and Metro Atlanta, April 21.

“While we have stores across the country, Atlanta is our hometown. We are proud today to share our long-term commitment to both Mercedes-Benz Stadium and our neighbors in the Westside. Fans and community members are going to have the best backyard in sports,” said Menear. “Beyond the stadium, we continue to work with partners like the Atlanta Beltline, Habitat for Humanity, HouseProud and many others to revitalize outdoor spaces and perform critical home repairs in the Westside – part of our commitment to giving back to our communities.”

Arthur Blank shared that the design of the stadium and the decision to build in the heart of the city was borne out of a vision to create a more connected, accessible downtown – one that offers residents and visitors a permanent area to play and build a sense of community.

“Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be one of the finest sports and entertainment venues in the world, and more importantly, a catalyst for transformation in the surrounding neighborhoods of Atlanta’s historic Westside,” said Blank. “The Home Depot is a natural partner for us to create a space that will drive connectivity and community engagement, key elements of the core values that we share. We are proud to be working together to bring the Westside to downtown and all of Atlanta.”

The Home Depot Backyard plans to offer unique game and match day experiences for Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United fans as well as year-round opportunities for the community to enjoy the space through arts, culture and entertainment events, military veteran appreciation activities and everyday access to a beautiful greenspace with play areas and fun activities. Additional details of upcoming events will be announced over the next year.

Reflecting the spirit of collaboration that underpins the planning behind the unique new space, Mayor Kasim Reed shared the importance of re-opening the Westside to downtown Atlanta and the importance of corporate involvement on the Westside.

I am proud to join Mercedes-Benz Stadium and The Home Depot to announce this exciting new amenity,” said Mayor Reed. “My Administration has made it a priority to revitalize Atlanta’s Westside and has worked to bring new public and private resources to support economic and civic development in the area. The Home Depot Backyard is yet another example of the city of Atlanta and its vital partners’ commitment to West Atlanta, and will serve as a gateway to Downtown, to our cultural district and to the world’s greatest sports venue, Mercedes-Benz Stadium.”

To conclude the program, Frank Fernandez, vice president of community development for the Blank Foundation introduced Latonda Henderson, who will serve as director of community activation for Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Latonda will work with The Home Depot Foundation and other nonprofits partners to create compelling community-oriented programming for The Home Depot Backyard – for both the Westside and all of Atlanta.