Atlanta Through the Archives

Georgia Dome Construction

Summary

Construction of the new Georgia Dome displaces historically black churches, residents in the Vine City neighborhood.

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During the late 80s, Atlanta officials began plans for further development of the city: one such plan was the construction of the Georgia Dome in the Vine City neighborhood. In 1987, city leaders began collecting funds for the proposed Dome, and despite officials failing to consult the community, it soon became evident to residents that the Dome’s construction would demolish or disrupt up to five historically black churches in the area.

A group led by the Concerned Black Clergy gathered to oppose the Dome’s construction and to protect their churches, decrying the construction of the Dome in a neighborhood which already needed increasing funding for education, wastewater treatment, and housing improvements. Protests continued up until the end of the decade, and in 1989, the Atlanta City Council voted to approve construction of the Dome, granted that corporate representatives provide $6 million for the construction of low income housing in Vine City and give assurance that minorities are employed for the Dome’s construction.