South Downtown Green, an Atrium at CNN's Old Home Debut Ahead of World Cup

By Savannah Sicurella and Zachary Hansen

May 20, 2026

A pair of ribbon-cutting events Wednesday aimed to show downtown Atlanta's evolution happening in real-time just before the city reintroduces itself on the global stage.

A couple of blocks away was the ribbon-cutting for the first dedicated green space to open as part of Atlanta Ventures' transformation of 10 blocks of Downtown Atlanta. Gov. Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp were in attendance, as well as Mayor Andre Dickens.

Located on Broad Street, the space, dubbed Founders Green, includes a stage, seating areas and room for outdoor movie nights, concerts and viewing parties. It replaces a paid parking lot, marking the first time in 70 years it has not been home to cars.

"Throughout this summer and long after, people will gather where giants of our past built the city that we know and love today," Kemp said. "That's really what this city and what this project is all about: second chances, creating something new out of what came before and building on the past to form a better future with new opportunities for all."