ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The iconic statue of Henry “Hank” Aaron outside Georgia State University’s (GSU) football stadium will be relocated to the main entrance of the school’s new baseball stadium.
On Thursday, GSU announced the city of Atlanta has approved a land disturbance permit, and the school has now received all of the needed clearances to begin construction.
The stadium contractor has already begun moving equipment to the site, with construction expected to be completed by fall 2026.
The statue honoring the Atlanta Braves legend will be moved to the entrance of GSU’s new baseball stadium.(WANF)
The ballpark is being built on the site of the old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, where the Atlanta Braves played from 1966 to 1997, when they moved into Turner Field, which was converted from Atlanta’s Olympic stadium.
On April 8, 1974, Aaron passed Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, blasting his 715th career home run during a nationally televised game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Atlanta.
A monument marking the exact spot where the ball cleared the old stadium’s outfield wall now stands in a parking lot where the old stadium was located.
This marker now sits in the parking lot where the old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium was located, marking the spot where Hank Aaron’s 715th home run cleared the outfield wall.(WANF)
GSU also said the new stadium will include a commemorative marker in left field denoting the location of Aaron’s home run, replacing the existing chain link fence and block wall erected after the stadium’s demolition.
GSU is also touting the stadium as evidence of its further investment in the neighboring Summerhill neighborhood.
When the Braves relocated Turner Field to Truist Park in Cobb County, GSU converted the facility into a football stadium, now named Center Parc Credit Union Stadium.
It also developed the GSU Convocation Center where the team’s NCAA basketball teams play.
An artist’s rendering of the new Georgia State University baseball stadium on the site of the old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.(GSU)
Besides the Braves, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium was also the longtime home of the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Chiefs, the Peach Bowl and many other landmark events, including Olympic baseball in 1996.
The new stadium will also feature amenities such as a turf playing surface; expanded dugouts; upgraded batting and bullpen facilities; and seating and hospitality spaces.
“This stadium represents more than just a place to play baseball,” Georgia State President Dr. M. Brian Blake said. “It connects Georgia State to Atlanta’s sports legacy and creates a vibrant future for our program and community.”
“We understand the importance of this project to many,” Georgia State Athletics Director Charlie Cobb said. “It is exciting for us as well. Additionally, there are still ways to help us expand our scope by financially contributing to the project. Every contribution helps us make this project even more special for our student-athletes, fans, and alumni.”
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