In reaction to the announcement, Jim Jacoby, chairman and chief executive officer of Atlantic Station, says in a prepared statement: "Atlantic Station and the Marcus Foundation are both in the business of revitalizing Atlanta. A truly great city demands a strong urban core."

He says both his company's development and Centennial Olympic Park "are firmly committed to that vision. As we have always stated, if it's good for Atlanta, it's good for Atlantic Station."

Jacoby was reportedly out of the country when Coca-Cola released its announcement. Jacoby also noted in his statement that New York-based AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp.'s "significant investment in Atlantic Station (came) long before the Georgia Aquarium potential was revealed."

In the statement announcing Coke's partnership with Marcus Foundation, Doug Daft, Coca-Cola's chairman and chief executive officer, also says his company will relocate its World of Coca-Cola, now near Underground Atlanta, to the Olympic Park property, creating what he called, "a multi-complex entertainment destination."

According to the statement, the new Coke museum will be "a larger, more interactive version of the current attraction," which has been in operation since 1990.

In the same statement, Marcus says, "We were always excited about Atlantic Station and still feel great respect for what they are going to achieve, but having the Georgia Aquarium next to Centennial Olympic Park was too good for the people of the city and state. We are grateful to (Coca-Cola) for this historic gift."