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Georgia Aquarium

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Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is a new public aquarium constructed in Atlanta, Georgia, which upon opening will be the world's largest aquarium, featuring over 100,000 specimens in tanks holding approximately 8 million US gallons (30,000 m³) of water.

Funded mostly by a 200 million U.S. dollar donation from Home Depot founder Bernie Marcus, was built on a 20 acre (81,000 m²) site just north of Centennial Olympic Park in downtown. It is scheduled to open in late November 2005, with annual pass holders allowed in starting November 21st, and the general public starting November 23rd. Admission to the non-profit aquarium will be among the most expensive in the country, being nearly 23 dollars per adult.

Collection

The Georgia Aquarium will contain between 100,000 to 120,000 fish and other sea creatures, representing more than 500 species. On June 3, 2005 the Atlanta Journal-Constitution revealed that among the specimens will be two young, rare whale sharks acquired from Taiwan. On June 14, 2005 the total number of specimens was unveiled after having previously being reported as "over 55,000". Marcus was quoted as saying "I have been saying that we would have more than 55,000 fish; I just never said how many more." The new number was announced after a shipment of over 100,000 fish was transported from Taiwan to the Aquarium by Atlanta-headquartered UPS in 42 tanks aboard an MD-11. UPS donated the cost of the shipping, estimated at over $200,000. The aquarium will also be home to two 11 foot (3 m) long beluga whales named Nico and Gasper being acquired from a Mexico City amusement park. The Aquarium joins at least six other US aquariums, including Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, with belugas in their collections. The aquarium soon hopes to attain three more female beluga whales to accompany Nico and Gasper, as part of a breeding program.

Conservation

According to Aquarium founder Bernard Marcus, the Aquarium's conservation and environmental mission is just as important as its status as an attraction. Long before opening, the Aquarium was already working with Georgia Tech and Georgia State University in Atlanta and the University of Georgia in Athens to help save endangered species through education and research programs.

The acquisition of the belugas whales, currently suffering in an inadequate environment, was hailed by Marcus as a prime example of the sorts of conservation activities the Aquarium should be involved with. Approximately 100 tarpon stranded in a tidal pool at Skidaway Island, off the Georgia coast, were rescued for the collection. Coral used in exhibits at the Aquarium is manmade in a collaboration between Georgia Tech and the University of the South Pacific, produced by suspending blocks of pumice over a reef near the village of Tagaqe, Fiji for eight months so that seaweeds and reef invertebrates could establish colonies.

Facilities

In addition to the massive tanks that are the core of the Aquarium, the facility includes the 16,400 square foot (1,520 m²) Oceans Ballroom - a banquet hall that can host events for up to 1100 seated or 1800 at a reception. The hall features two 10 by 28 foot (3 by 9 m) windows into the tanks housing the whale sharks and beluga whales. It can also be subdivided into three smaller spaces for events. Chef Wolfgang Puck's company will manage catering services for this facility.

The costs to build the Aquarium have escalated well beyond Marcus' original $200 million gift. To complete the facility without scaling back plans, six companies - AirTran Airways, BellSouth, Georgia-Pacific, The Home Depot, Southern Company and SunTrust Banks - have signed on as presenting sponsors for exhibits.

Location

Originally proposed for the Atlantic Station development in Midtown, the Aquarium is located just north of Centennial Olympic Park in what has become Atlanta's core for tourist attractions in Downtown. In addition to the Park and the Aquarium, within a short distance are the Georgia Dome, the Georgia World Congress Center, Philips Arena, CNN Center and the site proposed in Atlanta's bid for a new NASCAR museum.

The Coca-Cola Company donated 9 acres (400,000 m²) of land to the site and will build a new World of Coca-Cola attraction on the remaining property it owns adjacent to the Aquarium. The two facilities will share an 1800-space parking deck. Other improvements around the new site are being helped along by Central Atlanta Progress, a group of local business leaders which has had a presence in Atlanta for several years. In December 2004, a $300 million office and hotel development was announced for a nearby site. The complex will be named Allen Plaza in honor of former Atlanta mayor Ivan Allen Jr. and will include office space for the Southern Company and accounting firm Ernst & Young.

References


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