The College Football Hall of Fame will open its new doors in Atlanta, Georgia in March 2013, according to details released today by Atlanta Hall Management, Inc. Fleeing South Bend, Indiana for the sport's true capital, the 50,000-square-foot facility will be near the Georgia Dome and Philips Arena, across the street from Centennial Olympic Park and taking over space currently used by Centennial's Green Parking Lot. That's Georgia World Congress Center Authority turf:
With groundbreaking scheduled for August 2011 and doors set to open in March 2013, the Hall will boast a 3-D theater, stadium-style lighting, and a broadcast facility. Atlanta Hall Management president Gary Stokan says it "will not be a museum, but an attraction." Who's excited about the Les Miles Hall of Mystery, Bear Bryant Oversigning Whack-A-Mole, and Joe Hamilton Bumper Cars? Stokan mentions Archie Manning-conjuring kiosks as an example, though it would be awesome if every few feet there was a kiosk manned by several holographic Archie Mannings, and if you can pick out the real Archie Manning before he flees you get a free pass to the Fernbank Uncle Luke Freakatorium.
ESPN is set to provide content, along with big screens for game days. The outside is meant to look like a football, signaling a noble intent that will be sure to change as Chick Fil A sinks its hooves into the project because this is Atlanta. If you're reading this in 2014, please post a photo below of the gigantic, rotating cow-print Coca-Cola cup towering over Centennial. #whogonrunthistowntonight
The facility will cost $50 million, of which $31 million has already been raised. Stokan says more earnest fundraising will begin in January, with the Hall seeking partnerships with Home Depot and UPS, among others, because, again, this is Atlanta.