Atlanta is one of the few American cities that often faces challenges in balancing urban development with historic preservation. A similar situation can arise again as students have proposed repurposing the historic Herndon Stadium into a green space.
Highlights
- Students from the University of Pennsylvania recently shared their plans for a new green redevelopment project in Atlanta.
- After careful consideration of different Atlanta locations, the students presented their views on turning the Herndon Stadium into a green, urban establishment.
- The 77-year-old Herndon Stadium has been an empty spot since 2014.
Philadelphia Students Reimagine Herndon Stadium as a Green Project
Students at the University of Pennsylvania’s Stuart Weitzman School of Design recently analyzed different Atlanta locations to bring new perspectives to its urban fabric. The broader analysis covered different areas of Atlanta, including Cabbagetown, Washington Park, Herndon Stadium, and the former Gulch downtown.
Out of the different locations, the Herndon Stadium, which has been a which has remained unused for over a decade, is being conceptualized by the Pennsylvanian students as a green, urban oasis.
Detailed Aspects of the Green, Urban Oasis
According to the Pennsylvanian students, Herndon Stadium can present residents with both active and passive uses through the green project. Plans included features such as a children’s play area on the graffiti-covered grounds. There can also be wading pools and boardwalks with wetlands.
A proposed MARTA viewing area would offer views of passing trains, along with landscaped areas, including waterfalls, lawns, and plazas.
Legacy of the 77-year-old Atlanta Stadium
Since its establishment in 1948, the Atlanta stadium has been the city’s sole double-sided stadium out of all Atlanta University Center’s HBCUs. With 15,000 seats, it has hosted plenty of popular events for 77 years.
Herndon Stadium hosted events during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. Apart from that, it also hosted a Joe Louis boxing match and games by the Atlanta Beat women’s soccer team.
In 2006, Herndon Stadium was also chosen as a filming location for “We Are Marshall.” Additionally, it organized concerts, one of which was later released as a live album by Ray Charles.
Previous Attempts at Transforming Herndon Stadium
After Morris Brown College sold the Atlanta location in 2014, it has been degrading due to the empty state. In 2023, Byron Amos, an Atlanta City Council member, and officials from FIFA shared plans of using the stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.
However, no concrete steps have been taken since then at Herndon Stadium.
What Lies Ahead for Atlanta’s Notable Stadium?
The recent plans of Pennsylvanian students to turn Herndon Stadium into an urban, green establishment may offer a more cost-effective alternative to demolition. However, a lot will depend on support from Atlanta’s city officials, funding, and broader community development.
I recall during the ’96 Olympics, India and Pakistan played a men’s field hockey match here. Any competition between those two nations in anything is intense, but field hockey is especially heated.