Are you Falcons fans ready to head back outdoors?
080730 ATLANTA: The replacement of the questionable mauve and teal exterior at the Georgia Dome with new red and black exterior definitively gave the Dome a Falcons flavor. Wednesday, July 30, 2008. POUYA DIANAT / pdianat@ajc.com
Birdland – It’s real simple today, folks.
Loading ...Here’s a snapshot of the stadium situation.
Here’s a look at the modified Georgia Dome after its 2008 refurbishments.
A lot of work has already been done on this project and they usually take almost a decade to complete, so expect more
The Buc's pirate ship. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/AJC)
twists and turns along the way.
Fortunately, this isn’t our first Stadium Rodeo (worked on the Lambeau Field refurbishment and the building of Miller Park and their retractable roof that never seemed to work in the early stages.)
Falcons president Rich McKay was a key figure in the Tampa stadium build up and they have that cool Pirate Ship in the end zone.
Just check in and let us know where you stand on an outdoor, downtown stadium that could possibly host World Cup games in 2018 or 2022.
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204 comments Add your comment
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 20th, 2010
10:26 am
The piano genuis — Be nice!!! The Pirate Ship is kinda cool. Give ‘em credit for that.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 20th, 2010
10:27 am
GetWhatUpayfor — I don’t have an opinion. NEUTRAL/OBJECTIVE. What are you talking about? Just passing along information and some insight, hopefully.
David
May 20th, 2010
10:27 am
There doesn’t seem to be a problem with them filling it for UGA or GT…well UGA…hah..I think people are analyzing it too much…if the falcons put a quality product on the field..fans will show up…you all are just wimps really..boo hoo its 50 degrees outside and raining…thats what jackets are for genius…and I feel with a new stadium they wouldnt lose many fans b/c its A NEW STADIUM! I’ve never heard the saying wow that new stadium sure has a hard time selling out b/c its all NEW and such…i repeat…wimps..
And 1
May 20th, 2010
10:32 am
KIDS ha ha – have no real SENSE of what is REAL
The piano genius
May 20th, 2010
10:32 am
I often hear that football is meant to be played outdoors. I hear this from a few media scribes that either get to set in the comfortable, shaded and wind protected press box, or talking heads on the radio that go to one or two games a year. The other people that maintain football must be played outside are the brain dead fans that believe these wind bags.
When the game was invented, engineering techniques were not advanced enough to construct facilities large enough with roofs. Had those techniques been possible, I can assure you most, if not all games would have been played indoors.
Atlanta in the winter is not the issue. Atlanta in August until mid October is. Hot, humid and miserable. I am willing to bet that most of you who pine for an outdoor facility are not season ticket holders and are just repeating garbage you read or hear.
The Dome is already in place. It’s cheap and will not cost tax payers, or fans the additional monies required to construct a new stadium.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 20th, 2010
10:34 am
The piano genius — You’ve been heard. (Just take back the pirate ship comment though!)
FalconsFan
May 20th, 2010
10:35 am
Dled, how long have you lived in Atlanta? I don’t think you truly understand the Falcons fan base that make up your readers. You can paste snarky comments about other fans laughing at the Falcons fans but let’s be really honest here, unless the Falcons build a 50,000 seat stadium they’re NEVER going to fill an outdoor stadium. People have gotten used to the GA Dome over the last 10+ years, and the Falcons STILL have a hard time filling every seat, even during an 11-5 season.
Atlanta isn’t Chicago, or Greenbay or Philly, it is it’s own breed in many,many ways to compare it to any other city in the South or any other is unfair. I’ve lived in 13 states over my life and I’ve never seen a city like Atlanta.
john powell
May 20th, 2010
10:37 am
Not no, but hell no!
FalconsFan
May 20th, 2010
10:37 am
David,
You can’t compare UGA which is a COLLEGE sport to a PRO sport, there’s no inbred loyalty to many, many Pro teams. The Falcons have been around since the 1960’s, UGA 1785… the loyalty factor is bound to be different.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 20th, 2010
10:38 am
Not trying to be mean here, but are the folks complaining about the rain the same ones who can’t seem to get into the Dome before the game starts? Leave a half hour earlier. Shut down the tailgate in enough time to be in your seats by kickoff, indoor or outdoors.
Art Vandalay
May 20th, 2010
10:38 am
To all you folks talking about wanting the stadium on the North side you either are delusional or aren’t looking at the big picture. The furthest north the stadium could be is Buckhead, for a number of reasons. first, it needs to be accessible from as many highways as possible, meaning 75/85 via the downtown connector as well as I-20, the city is obviously accessible from the most highways in one place. I think the new stadium could be closer to the highway though and the site at Northside and Simpson st. backs right up to where the connector lets out at Ivan Allen, it would need major work though because it backs up now as it is. second, MARTA, you may not use it to go to games but plenty of people do including the tourists and conventioneers who make it possible to have a new stadium. And last but certainly not least, flexibility in use. Do you honestly through all your unfounded prejudices of Atlanta get that one logical thought out, do you REALLY believe a World cup, Super Bowl, Final Four, ACC/SEC Tournament, SEC Championship, Chick-fil-a kick off, Chick-fil-a bowl etc.. would want to be hosted in say Alpharetta? Nobody is going to have an even in ATL and travel here to stay on Windward Parkway 50 miles from the airport, eat at Chili’s and tailgate in the North Point Mall parking lot. Look at the big picture. They are the ATLANTA Falcons their fans are not exclusively from the north side and from the games i’ve been to looks like most them aren’t.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 20th, 2010
10:38 am
And 1 — Been there, done that.
FalconsFan
May 20th, 2010
10:39 am
The piano genius,
Basketball is played indoors why? Because it originated that way, more kids play basketball outdoors than indoors though because they CAN, Football should be played indoors and outdoors because it CAN be.
The piano genius
May 20th, 2010
10:39 am
Whats wrong with gay? I have numerous gay friends. It’s not OK to be gay?
JJ
May 20th, 2010
10:44 am
Bunch of freakin pansies. Waaaaaaahhhh…..it’s too cold. Waaaaaahhhhh…….it’s too hot. Waaaaaahhhhhhh…….it’s raining. Just stay home and watch from the comfort of your own living room if you can’t stand the elements. Football is a tough sport that’s meant to be played outside. Grow a pair pansies!!!!!
The piano genius
May 20th, 2010
10:45 am
JJ?…..Are you a season ticket holder?
Bullseye
May 20th, 2010
10:46 am
Face it. Metro Atlanta is just full of mall strolling Pansies. It is just so hot,cold,windy and rainy here.
Art Vandalay
May 20th, 2010
10:47 am
They have done a really nice job with the Luckie/Marietta and Centennial Park areas with restaurants and things losing the dome would kill it. Have you seen it for the Chick-fil-a games and SEC Championship? It is as good an atmosphere as there is. I venture to say its better than Jax for FL/GA. Have you been to Jacksonville any other weekend? Probably not if you are still alive. The walk from parking to the Landing feels like a bad horror movie. Build a new stadium and bring FL/GA in too! I’m tired of seeing the mullets and jean shorts every October in Jacksonville, Florigeorgia. Its not even really Florida, Atlanta is better, and this is coming from a Gator fan.
JJ
May 20th, 2010
10:48 am
Damn skippy piano dude.
G'Vegas Dawg
May 20th, 2010
10:49 am
I know things look bad right now, but, sooner or later the economy will improve. I think that everyone involved will be VERY upset if the falcons don’t shoot to build a retractable roof stadium. Not just for football, but for all winter events including concerts, football games, motorcross, etc. Attendance will start to suffer in Atlanta if there is a slight possibility of rain. Fans are used to having the protection from the elements.
The piano genius
May 20th, 2010
10:50 am
100, 200 or 300 level?
JP
May 20th, 2010
10:50 am
Why can’t we just have a retractable roof?
JJ
May 20th, 2010
10:53 am
And for the record, I live north of the city (about 50 miles north actually) and I have NO problem with the stadium downtown. But I’d much rather have an outdoor stadium than indoor. Battling the element…fans going crazy because it’s too freaking cold to feel your feet….ah, yes….football in it’s greatest form.
Ya know….you don’t hear the folks in Philly, NE, NYC, GB, and CHI whining about being too cold to play football outside. And THESE are the greatest NFL cities in the country. Hmmm……wonder why?
Because fans aren’t pansies that want to sit in a nice warm or air conditioned dome and be catered to like little babies.
David
May 20th, 2010
10:53 am
What is your point in asking him that Piano..if hes rich or poor?
Art Vandalay
May 20th, 2010
10:54 am
retractable roof is the only way to go. Look at all the indoor events the dome holds. We have already shown operating one centrally located multi-use facility is extremely viable. Look how quickly the Dome paid for itself, why do they not think they can make up the cost for a retractable roof. Do they not look at projections? The world cup, a couple super bowls, and Atlanta is poised to be an even bigger convention draw in the next 20 years especially if they move the new dome to the site a block north and expand the GWCC into the current dome site as planned. The roof will more than pay for itself and thats hard to argue.
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JJ
May 20th, 2010
10:55 am
LOL….what do want me to do, mail you my ticket stubs? Show you a receipt? I could tell you I sit in section 320, 150, 219 (yes, I’m making that up as I go) and what difference is that to you? Are YOU a season ticket holder? You want to meet at a game or something? LOL…..funny dude you are.
Art Vandalay
May 20th, 2010
10:58 am
A world class stadium and an expanded GWCC could spur some of the on hold projects for the Centennial Park area like the Hard Rock Hotel and Lego World for example. I know there were some other on hold hotels and restaurants too. We need that critical mass around the park and CNN to have that Times Square type feel. We are already a draw but what if we had that to give people in SC, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi etc an option to visiting NYC. You might not like the crowds and tourists but remember they come here and spend A LOT of money that allows us to have nice things where we live.
The piano genius
May 20th, 2010
11:02 am
Section 228. Since 2001
seldomfound
May 20th, 2010
11:03 am
Let’s be real. For all of you who are asking that the stadium be moved away from downtown don’t you really mean closer to where you live? So how close would you want it? If you’re like me you want it close but not too close to impact your property values right?
How far would you drive? So if it’s in Griffin are you OK? Distance from the airport needs to be considered (we like folks flying in and contributing to the local economy).
For those of you who talk about crime – how many of you have ever witnessed a crime on the way to a game – really? And for those of you who beleive car breaki-in will not happen on your side of town – you’re fooling yourself.
Regarding indoor or outdoor or retractable. I believe some form of convertable buiilding is best. How about a transparent (UV filtering) roof with a few large windows/ventalation that can open and close? We can call it the Porch.
The piano genius
May 20th, 2010
11:04 am
And I ask because MOST who whine about wanting to have an outdoor stadium are NOT season ticket holders.
Try not to take it too personally.
JJ
May 20th, 2010
11:12 am
I’m not taking anything personally. And I’m not whining about an outdoor staidum. I’m griping and laughing at all the pansies that whine about the heat, cold, and rain.
You are correct about one thing, the dome is already here so there isn’t exactly an urgent NEED for a new place to play. Depending on the funds available and how they plan to pay for it, I’m not opposed to a new stadium. In other words, if Mr. Blank wants to build it with his, far be it for me to object. If he does, I would love an outdoor stadium. If however he doesn’t, then I’m cool with what we got now.
Bullseye
May 20th, 2010
11:12 am
I want an outdoor venue because I want to see grass, mud and blood on Drew Brees’ uniform after we sack him for the sixth time. I want outdoor so that a 165lb kicker does not beat us with a 56 yard field goal. If it’s raining we pound the football and if it’s nice we can air it out. Indoor fans can go to Mall of Georgia and play your Play Stations.
JJ
May 20th, 2010
11:13 am
Aight, this place has turned dead on me. I’m going to lunch.
truth
May 20th, 2010
11:15 am
Retractable roof is the way to go. Best of both worlds. Only close it if it’s raining.
I am not a season ticket holder.
HugoStiglitz
May 20th, 2010
11:19 am
I would love a new outdoor stadium. It would be much better and would add more atmosphere to the game. I wouldnt even mind if the season ticket prices went up because of it.
The piano genius
May 20th, 2010
11:24 am
Only pansies go to lunch this early!
Just messing with you.
I’m glad you did pick up on the financials of the Dome already being in place. Think of it like buying a car. You have one that works, is reliable for the most part…..It just isn’t “new”….So what? I tend to drive my car 10 years before I get a new one. The dome has many years left. Save the money from building a new facility and lower ticket prices. Save the money to acquire land for tailgating. Save the money to acquire land for pre and post game activities, bars, hotels……I saw one comment here stating the economy will get better…….We don’t know that. Just because it has in the past does not mean it will happen now. Until we know for certain, lets get all we can out of the Dome.
GetwhatUpayfor
May 20th, 2010
11:25 am
Agree, Retractable roof and everyone will be happy.
Fair & Balanced is that right..Orlando?
GetwhatUpayfor
May 20th, 2010
11:28 am
Are we talking about 6 to 8 years from now?
ChippersLoveChild
May 20th, 2010
11:30 am
Wait… what do you Miller Park and Lambeau have to do with the GA Dome?
BigTimeTECHFan
May 20th, 2010
11:34 am
Retractable Roof would settle the GWCC issue.
Have they not heard ot that?
I liked the 1st few week at Atlanta Fulton County Staduim, but man late in the season it could get rough. I remember one year 1 was one of only about 10 people sitting on the 1st row behind the end zone, cold and rain and everyone moved for cover. I was talking trash and the other team (49ers) knew it was me. Fulton Kykendoll (sp?) told me to keep it up.
NOLA
May 20th, 2010
11:34 am
It doesn’t matter. ‘Cons and their fans will still be the Saint’s B*tch regardless of whether they play indoors or outdoors.
Do you folks know how long we have been playing in the superdome for?
All you folks do is whine. Let’s move to Duluth. Let’s move to Chamblee. Let’s move to Doraville, Let’s move to Mechanicsville. We want to play outdoors.
When will the ‘Con nation quit crying, whining, and simply line up and take your butt whippings courtersy of the who dat nation?
Maybe if you threepeat this year you might just get your wish.
‘Cons team goal for 2010: Achieve third consecutive winning season.
joey563
May 20th, 2010
11:34 am
What about Reliant Park or university of Pheonix Stadium for a good example of what we are looking forward to? It only cost 420 million and 455 million dollars respectively, (according to a quick google search), and it would be the best of both worlds and can still be used for numerous events.
DMR
May 20th, 2010
11:36 am
Maybe Arthur Blank should be talking to Dan Radikovich (SP). You want to stay downtown, you want an open air stadium, you want to play on grass. Georgia Tech has problems selling out their stadium although with Paul Johnson on the scene, things should get better. The Falcons should focus on a possible revenue share with Georgia Tech. Tech gets the stadium for their Thursday night games/Saturday games…the Falcons get Sunday and/or Monday. The expansion would only need to be approx. 10,000 – 12,000 seats. I have heard that not having the Dome would be harmful to College Sports…i.e. the ACC/SEC Basketball Tournaments, The Chic-fil-a Bowl, The Classic, The SEC Football Championship. I disagree that it would be hurtful to football in any way…Basketball, I can see.
I would explore the financial possibilities and logistics of working with Georgia Tech.
Just a thought to explore. It may not have wheels, but it is worth a glance.
FrankTheFalcon
May 20th, 2010
11:40 am
Forget having an outside stadium! To hell with the World Soccer Whatever! How about a comfortable indoor stadium with even better amenities than we have now! At my age, I will not sit outside in the pouring rain to watch a football game when I can stay home and watch it on my new 40″ Samsung LCD HDTV TV and drink my favorite beverage. AN OUTSIDE STADIUM IS A TERRIBLE IDEA FOR THE FANS, MR. McKay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DLed, to hell with the Green Bay Packers idiots. What person would want to live up there in that God awful weather when they can live in Georgia with our wonderful weather? They sit out in the terrible weather because they have permanent brain damage and have nothing else to do! They go ice fishing, not because they enjoy it, but because they want to get away from the old lady and drink a few beers. They are willing to brave the elements just for some peace and quiet and to get a buzz. Hey, maybe they are smarter than I first thought! LOL
drajax
May 20th, 2010
11:44 am
outdoors would be nice, but since Blank has owned the team the per game price for my season tickets has gone from $33 to $120. I’m worried that the club will finance the new stadium on the backs of the STH by making them pay a license fee. If Blank opts for public financing I’d hope our politicians would make him pledge no license fees.
Jeff
May 20th, 2010
11:46 am
NO. Keep it inside.
florida falcon
May 20th, 2010
11:47 am
Build it anywhere, so long as the birds don’t end up flying to the left coast! It sickens me to think of the dirtybirds as the Los Angeles/Anaheim Falcons!
The piano genius
May 20th, 2010
11:49 am
Lets talk about concessions. Why can’t I get a decent beer? I have to walk a considerable distance to get something other than macro rice and corn beer devoid of character and flavor. When I do walk that distance, my choices are Yuengling, Guinness, a super sweet cider and Sweetwater 420. How nice it would be to get a Terrapin Rye or Big Hoppy Monster. A Redbrick Oatmeal Porter would be great too. If we are going to have Sweetwater beer, how about their IPA? Sometimes I am in the mood for a Belgian Tripel…..Or a light, yet tasty Kolsch. There are over 5 million people in this metro area and I still can only get watered down garbage served from a can…….
The piano genius
May 20th, 2010
11:49 am
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