ATLANTA (Nov. 15, 2014) - Atlanta lost one of its iconic businessmen today when Herman Russell died earlier today.
Russell, 83, founded H.J. Russell & Co., a construction firm that built or or teamed with other firms to build several landmark projects in Atlanta, including Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Dome, the Atlanta Federal Center and Georgia-Pacific Plaza. A trailblazer who knocked down several racial barriers, Russell's legacy lives on through sons Michael Russell (CEO) and Jerome Russell (president) and daughter.
News of Russell's passing has been reported by Scott Trubey of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Trubey, with a contribution from City Hall Reporter Katie Leslie, cited Mayor Kasim Reed and others who confirmed the death. By Friday, several people in Atlanta's real estate community were saying prayers for Russell, whom they had heard was near death.
“He is one of the best men our city has ever produced,” Reed tells the AJC. “I can’t express how much we will miss him.”
During his unparalleled career, Herman Russell won every major civic and commercial real estate award and recognition in Atlanta. In 2004, ULI Atlanta bestowed upon Russell its prestigious Frank Carter Community Achievement Award named for the founder of Carter.
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