ATLANTA (June 2, 2003) - The face of downtown Atlanta officially changed today as the Marcus Foundation and the Coca-Cola Company broke ground for the 5-million gallon Georgia Aquarium and the new World of Coca-Cola. Both attractions - in addition to the Children's Museum of Art that opened earlier this year - will give conventioneers and visitors alike a wider range of activities within walking distance of the Georgia World Congress Center.

The ground breaking ceremony for the 20-acre development site, located just north of Centennial Olympic Park, featured a presentation from Bernie Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot and chairman of The Marcus Foundation, who revealed renderings of the 5 million gallon aquarium as well as a first look at the new banquet facility for receptions. The facility, set to open in 2005, will contain approximately 400,000-square feet of aquatic exhibits, making it one of the world's largest aquariums.

In addition to the Georgia Aquarium, the development project will also feature a new World of Coca-Cola. The new expanded facility will feature enhanced interactive exhibits about The Coca-Cola Company's worldwide beverages including an exploration of its history and a look into the future. The new World of Coca-Cola will open to the public in 2006 in conjunction with the company's 120th anniversary.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and City of Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin gave welcoming comments to the project. The Coca-Cola Company is working with The Marcus Foundation to create an integrated look and design for both sites. These attractions will bring new life to the area by creating a major cultural, educational and entertainment destination in the middle of downtown Atlanta.

"The Georgia Aquarium and the new World of Coca-Cola Museum development project will not only give conventioneers and their families more entertainment options, it will also have a significant impact on the economic growth of downtown Atlanta as well as the state of Georgia," stated Georgia World Congress Center Chief Executive Officer Dan Graveline.