Jimmy Carter, our nation’s longest living former president, died on December 19, 2024, at the age of 100. If you’d like to pay your respects here in Atlanta, this is what you need to know.
For starters, the grounds of the Carter Center campus are completely closed to car and foot traffic this week, prior to scheduled activities. No one may step foot anywhere on the campus right now, for security reasons, as the grounds are prepared for official ceremonies.
That said, there are spots along Freedom Parkway where people are leaving flowers, at the edge of the campus, including at the sign to the main Carter Center entrance. (Approximate address is 453 John Lewis Freedom Parkway N.E., on the northeast corner of the campus near the intersection of North Highland Ave.)
Keep in mind that the Carter family has asked for donations in lieu of flowers. But if you’d like to leave a floral tribute, please be careful! Cars zip along Freedom Parkway very fast, and there are many blind curves.
You can walk to Freedom Parkway via the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail or the Freedom Trail. It is not safe to drive along the parkway and stop your car to get out. You create a hazard to yourself and others if you do this. UPDATE: As of January 2nd, parts of Freedom Pkwy and North Highland Avenue were blocked to traffic.
You can also share condolences online.
The Carter family invites the public to sign the official condolence book here.
Public participation opportunities in Atlanta
On Saturday, January 4, 2025, President Carter’s remains will leave Plains and travel to Atlanta via motorcade. It will stop briefly at the Capitol, then continue to the Carter Center, arriving at 3:45 p.m. for a private service at 4 p.m.
Following the service, President Carter will lie in repose.
The public can pay their respects and file past the coffin from 7 p.m. on January 4th through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7th. The remains will then travel to Washington, D.C., for an official state ceremony.
If you want to pay your respects at the Carter Center, you’ll need to plan carefully.
Things to know:
• You cannot park at the Carter Center. Your options are only to walk or bike in, or to use the free shuttle service (details below).
• Free shuttles will run continuously from the King Memorial MARTA Station to the Carter Center. There is no parking at this station, so you’ll have to take the train there from another MARTA station that has parking availability.
• The King Memorial Station is on the Blue/Green Line. You can transfer from the Red/Gold Line at Five Points Station.
• Shuttles will run every 3 to 5 minutes around the clock from Jan. 4th at 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Jan. 7th. MARTA rail service will also operate continuously around the clock.
• NO BAGS of any kind are allowed on the shuttle or at the Carter Center. This includes purses, fanny packs, clutch wallets, and everything else. So plan to carry just what you need in your pockets.
• If you don’t want to ride the shuttle, another option would be to ride the train to the Inman Park / Reynoldstown MARTA Station and walk about 25 minutes to the Carter Center. It may also be possible to use paid parking at Ponce City Market, exit to the BeltLine, and walk to the Carter Center.
• While the shuttle is free, you’ll pay $2.50 each way to ride MARTA. Get your Breeze card in advance, or use the handy Breeze Mobile app.
• If you plan to bike in, you’ll likely need to find a place to lock your bike along the Freedom Trail. It isn’t likely you’ll be allowed to roll your bike along with you while standing in line.
• Plan to be in line for an extended period of time.
• In case of rain, you’ll want a heavy-duty poncho. It’s likely that umbrellas won’t be allowed.
• Everyone attending is subject to search. If you have prohibited items, they will be confiscated and not returned.
• Prohibited items include: Aerosols, ammunition, animals other than service animals, balloons, bicycles, coolers, drones and other unmanned aircraft systems, explosives, firearms, glass, thermal or metal containers, laser pointers, mace, packages, selfie sticks, toy guns, weapons of any kind, or any other items determined to be potential safety hazards.
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