City could move Cyclorama

[JPD]

Centennial Park is a terrible location for the Cyclorama. Old World of Coke is even worse. Near, or connected to the History Center is probably their best bet.

I like the Zoo location, but it'd be better if it were right on the MARTA line.

[MathmanMathman]

Atlanta History Center or Kennesaw Mountain.

[koko339]

I vote for keeping it in Grant Park. The setting's appropriate, and I think quite beautiful.

The zoo should move to a less constricted location.

[residinghere2007]

I would also rather it stay. The area inspired the painting so I feel it should remain and be preserved. I am a member of the zoo and also would like to see it expanded but I too think it would be better to move the zoo.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by DTL3000

Expanding on that...

I just think the zoo should plan on eventually moving if it really wants to expand. There are several BIG plots of what looks like empty land on the west side of town where you could fit at least a half dozen Zoo Atlantas and still have room left over. I'm sure the logistics of zoo moving are quite complicated but I think the city needs a much larger zoo considering its size.

DTL - Moving the zoo is a terrifically expensive proposition. Who will ever pay for that? The Cyclorama is, indeed, a bit of Atlanta history, but the Zoo is far more germane to every day life than is the Cyclorama. I cherish the Cyclorama, but, in my opinion, it's utility pales in comparison to that of the Zoo's. But for the Zoo, my guess is that the Cyclorama would have few visitors. Cannot argue that in reverse. Yes, I agree, an expanded, enlarged Zoo is a terrific idea; however, moving it just is not an option any time in the foreseeable future.

[DTL3000]

Ansley - I get what you are saying and I realize moving the Zoo is probably out of the question for the foreseeable future. However, even if the Zoo were to expand to the Cyclorama property it wouldn't be all that much more space. Also, I don't think anyone wants to see any of GP's park space used to expand it further.

Sure the Zoo probably gets more visitors than the Cyclorama but I don't think that really matters. The Cyclorama is unique to Atlanta. It has been where it is for 125 years and that is saying a lot in Atlanta. I remember visiting both the Cyclorama and the Zoo when I was really young(4 or 5) and it was the Cyclorama that stuck with me much more than the zoo.

People will go see a bunch of animals wherever you put them. I think a larger more open location would be better. I know that's out of the picture currently but I don't see the Zoo getting all that much more space even if the Cyclorama is moved. Also, there's just something about the Cyclorama and its location. Hardly anything in this city has any sense of permanence or a sense of grandeur. A lot of cool Atlanta landmarks have either been bulldozed or converted into a shadow of themselves. The Cyclorama is an exception.

[AnsleyPark]

Oh, don't get me wrong - I whole-heartedly agree with you that the Cyclorama should stay in it's home. You're right - it's a historic location. I wish that there was a way to expand attendance, though. According to the AJC, it had but 70,000 visitors last year, whereas the Zoo had almost 1 million. I wish that the Cyclorama could somehow leverage that.

[arjay57]

I think the problem is that the zoo and Cyclorama are pitched to two different audiences.

I'd lean toward moving the Cyclorama to the History Center mainly because it's, well, history. They've got 35 acres over there on West Paces, plenty of parking and are set up to handle tour buses. It would be a nice fit with Tullie Smith house, the Swan House, the Kenan research and meeting center, the gardens and the museum.