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
kenNatlanta
May 20th, 2010
11:52 am
The loss of of future NCAA Regional/Final Fours is gone. The “gimmee” to host the SEC football championship game would be gone. Can you say LP Field and Nashville? The SEC/ACC basketball tournaments? Hello Memphis’ FedEx Forum & the Greensboro Coliseum or Charlotte’s Time Warner Arena! These are real events hosted at the Georgia Dome that bring millions of dollars to Atlanta tourism.
This should not even be a question. Atlanta has an ace with the dome that these other southern citys do not have.
The piano genius
May 20th, 2010
11:52 am
What happened to my beer post? The one where I complained about the poor selection at the Dome.
Tee Tee
May 20th, 2010
11:55 am
Considering I grew up in a household that have been season ticket holders for majority of my life- I think my folks were without season tickets for 2 years (it was a rough time)- season ticket holders for almost 33 years! I remember going to Fulton County Stadium- in the rain (punchos and umbrellas) and the freezing cold (we would take an overisized thermal full of hot apple cider). Don’t recall too many “hot” games- we in the south- it’s supposed to be hot!!! I also remember one game where they literally had to have the crowd be quiet cause the opposing team could not hear the QB count (or whatever they do)…so that whole noise reason won’t fly! cause it can be just as loud and rowdy in an outside stadium. I was young but I have to say those were “adventurous” times in the rain and cold. I prefer indoors any day…but nostalgia-I would go for outdoors-that makes real football players -to be able to play in the elements… A dome-making them wussies if you ask me- they get a lil cold or wet and can’t play!
Falconsforlife
May 20th, 2010
12:01 pm
I’d love an outdoor stadium. However, we need a retractable roof stadium. I don’t understand how Miami can do that for the Marlins but we can’t get that done for an NFL team here in a much larger city.
Infamous
May 20th, 2010
12:12 pm
I am tired of hearing about other NFL cities with open roof stadiums!!
This is Atlanta. Anything in Atlanta has a hard time selling out. No way Atlanta consistently sells out in a stadium with no roof. Forget home field advantage on bad weather days. I would still be there, but I do not want to share our stadium with whatever away teams fans.
Ridiculous
May 20th, 2010
12:17 pm
We absolutely do not need a new stadium … period. If Blank wants a new stadium, let him build it or move the team. While the majority of the Dome’s revenues come from the Falcons, so do the majority of expenses. The Dome without the Falcons would do just fine with college ball, basketball, soccer, motorsports and the like. And, it’s those events – especially the college football and basketball – that bring visitors to our city and fill our hotel rooms. The state should simply say, “No thank you.”
Yurtle_the_turtle
May 20th, 2010
12:18 pm
I hate the Georgia Dome. Who the hell can tailgate there? Part of the fun and experience on game day is to tailgate and you can’t do that downtown. Falcons stay downtown, I won’t come.
Common Cents
May 20th, 2010
12:25 pm
I don’t think anyone has mentioned or questioned if the Falcons deserve a new place to work sponsored partly by the taxpayers of Georgia. Since 1966 their record is 237 wins and 349 loses. That’s less than a 500% winning record. I’m not convinced they deserve to play in the Georgia Dome. Maybe the Falcons should display their worthiness of such planning and expenditures by providing us fans and non fans with a couple winning seasons and more appearances in post season play. Teachers or professional football players? They are playing outside now, outside of our expectations.
Joseph
May 20th, 2010
12:28 pm
In order to maximize all angles and opportunities, the Dome needs to be saved and if a new stadium is to be built, then build it nearby. Otherwise, it makes no sense to demolish the dome and throw away the various events that have bringing in money to the city and state, especially in exchange for a one time soccar event. If you demolish build a new one with a retractible roof. Seems like the only option.
Joseph
May 20th, 2010
12:29 pm
oops… I mean soccer, sorry
froggy
May 20th, 2010
12:34 pm
Outdoor stadium would be a great thing. Football indoors is just wrong. Even with terrible sight lines, the atmosphere at Atlanta Fulton County for Falcons games was 100 times better. Really hoping they follow thru with the outdoors venue — might get me back as a season ticket holder!
Pay attention Arthur
May 20th, 2010
12:37 pm
Indoor stadium? Outdoor stadium? Retractable roof? Who cares…Step 1 is to get the heck out of downtown Atl. Move their butts outside of the perimeter where the people and the money are. Watch the sellouts pile up. All Atl franchises continue to put an iffy product out and yet they expect people to wind their way down to that crime infested craphole of a city night in and night out. Not happening and our support for these teams proves it.
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 20th, 2010
12:46 pm
You fools have forgotten what the Peach Bowl was like outside before 1996. You want to play outside FINE, but don’t ask me to pay more than 30-60 dollars for any seat in an outdoor stadium. You can kiss the Peach/Chick-fil-a Bowl good-bye on New Years Eve Night. If the Falcons could win or play for 14 NFC championships in a row like the Braves in the 90’s-00’s then Talk about a new stadium.
Ben
May 20th, 2010
12:53 pm
Has the idea of a Soldier Field-esque renovation been ruled out? They kept the same stadium site and original shell of the building in tact, just renovated the interior to the point where it was essentially a new stadium. 30-40% of the cost of any construction project is tied up in purchasing the property and civil engineering sitework. A massive renovation to the Ga Dome could provide essentially an entirely new stadium at 60% of the cost. That number could be cut down even more. Say you keep the lower bowl in place and tear down everything from the club level and up, the entire foundation of the stadium is still in tact. Then you design and build a new club level with the suites that Arthur Blank needs, an all new upper deck for the fans that isn’t a mile from the field, and a retractable roof over the top that the GWCC needs. That pleases all parties involved… and it could be done for anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 the cost that New York and Dallas are spending on their stadiums. Most importantly, it keeps Atlanta in the mix for the highest profile events like Final Fours, Super Bowls, BCS bowls and eventual World Cup games.
eplayerj
May 20th, 2010
1:12 pm
Sorry Gwinnett They didn’t say it was going up there.
Robert
May 20th, 2010
1:13 pm
I would love to see a new home for the Falcons. I think they should move it out of the downtown area and more into the northern metro area. I am in north ga and i am not found of takeing my kids down to the dome for a late game because of the parking problems and two the safeness of marta i hope they will take some of these problem in concedration.
Outdoor Man
May 20th, 2010
2:07 pm
THE GAMES MUST BE OUTSIDE. Only girls play inside – with their little dollies. This is a man’s sport. I am tired of going to the mall for a football game!!!!!!!! We should have the General Lee fly through the goal post after every touchdown. And after a visiting team scores a TD the jumbotron should say “Frankly we don’t give a damn”
Freddie : G
May 20th, 2010
3:04 pm
The people who write in support of a new outdoor Stadium will be the first ones to make excuses about the weather when attendance is poor. The Dome is fine and if they are to go outdoors they are going to lose several fans including me when it is rainy and cold.
Freddie : G
May 20th, 2010
3:05 pm
What is wrong with the Dome? Just win baby it is not the Dome.
Jim
May 20th, 2010
3:06 pm
I work for an ad agency. I just wish Tony would use facts to support his conclusion. If he used ESPN Research or any other research service then Mr. Barnhard would write a different story because the NFL and College football are equally as popular in Atlanta. This is not a college football town…it is a FOOTBALL town…college and pro. Get it right or at least admit that you are writing from your personal perspective!
MDub
May 20th, 2010
3:11 pm
Football is an outdoor sport! Bring it back outside!
Freddie : G
May 20th, 2010
3:15 pm
How could Arthur Blank and the Falcons ownership expect taxpayers to fund a stadium at this time when so many people are hurting economically. If he is willing to use his money without any taxpayers dollars then by all means do with your money whatever you wish.
KnightInATL
May 20th, 2010
3:35 pm
Wow! I am almost ashamed to call myself an Atlantan after reading some of these cry-baby posts by some of you. Really…you won’t go to a game because its outside? And you call yourself a MAN?!? Listen to yourselves!! Football is a game that is meant to be played outdoors on real grass…not inside some air-conditioned sterile box. Some of you cream puffs need to get a grip.
Obviously the best scenario would be a retractable. That way we would still be able to host the occasional Final Four’s, ACC Bball Tourney’s, and even guarantee us another Super Bowl.
But with the choice between a dome and Open-Air…its not really a choice at all. Give us the stadium for where the game was intended…outside.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 20th, 2010
3:42 pm
I forgot to ask one key question. Will the press box be open air on enclosed? But since they haven’t gotten to the design portion of the program, that’s probably not been decided. Let me go check the voting in the poll.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 20th, 2010
3:48 pm
POLL UPDATE:
Are you ready to go back outside?
Yes, football is an outdoor sport. (45%, 252 Votes)
No, I love the Georgia Dome. (32%, 181 Votes)
It doesn’t matter, I’m going indoors or outdoors. (15%, 83 Votes)
Yes, it doesn’t make sense to play indoors when it’s 80 degrees outside. (8%, 45 Votes)
Total Voters: 561
Angus
May 20th, 2010
4:03 pm
“We have to pay attention to other sites in the event that we are unable to reach a deal with the authority that’s satisfactory to them and that’s satisfactory to us,” McKay said.
Watch out folks, here it comes – threat after threat after threat to move until some city or county agrees to pay for it.
The COA and metro Atlanta have enough problems as it is given the economy – now is not the time. I’m a life-long fan and a six-year STH, but if you threaten to move, I’ll be the first to say good-bye.
rudyt
May 20th, 2010
4:37 pm
Football is an OUTSIDE sport. Domes are for sissys who don’t want to get their panties wet during the rain or their backside cold in the winter.
Gbaby
May 20th, 2010
4:54 pm
Matty (I choke in big games)Ice, could use all the help he can get. he has a slew of weapons now but have turnoveritis. He had a good rookie season but there is enough tape on him now to game plan against him. T.O. is a changed person in my opinion sign him for the league minimum. He still has to be respected by defenses.
Martin
May 20th, 2010
5:25 pm
two words – Retractable Roof
Msfolly
May 20th, 2010
5:43 pm
Well, they can sell my 89 club level seats to someone else.
My money will be spent on something else, and Atlanta can return to enjoying blackouts on Sunday.
NO WAY am I going to sit in the rain, sleet, smog, humidity or mosquitos!
They must be MAD!
Msfolly
May 20th, 2010
5:44 pm
That’s 8 club level seats. Not 89!
Typo…
PaulD
May 20th, 2010
5:46 pm
For everyone wanting the stadium out of down town – is your choice of area for the new location willing to pay for the stadium? Read the article – the stadium is paid for by a Hotel/Motel tax in the city of Atlanta and the Atlanta Falcons (read ticket holders). If they move it outside of Atlanta, the Hotel/Motel tax goes away – the Falcons are not going to pay for the whole thing so where is the rest of the money to come from? And to all of you season ticket holders – no matter what type of stadium they build , I lay odds you see a PTL.
DR DMAN
May 20th, 2010
6:09 pm
A SHARED SOLUTION: GA TECH could use a bigger stadium, and the Falcons want a new stadium. Why not pool resources and build one that would work for BOTH…???
Falc Fan
May 20th, 2010
6:41 pm
I am a Season Ticket Holder in Section 227 and I want the Falcons outside. To tell you the truth I will be a season ticket holder whether they are inside, outside, or under a retractable roof. All of these fair weather fans that say they will not renew their tickets if the Falcons are outside are a disgrace. I am sure plenty of those same “fans” to to Tech or UGA games in the dreaded outside. I want the Falcons outside under the sun on grass. It will change the whole feeling of going to a Falcons game and it will be great.
As for the PSL argument that is a slippery slope. I have a feeling a PSL would be coming for lower and mezz seats in a new stadium and they will probably leave the upper level NON-PSL like the Jets are doing with New Meadowlands Stadium. Although I would not be happy about paying for a PSL I like the benefit of being able to buy tickets to any event that comes to the new stadium as well . I would assume the Falcons PSL prices would be significantly lower than the ones the Jets and Giants are trying to sell now. $2000 for a PSL in the Mezz would be understandable but that would drive a lot of the long time season ticket holders out of the lower sidelines which would probably have PSL’s at 10k to 15k.
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 20th, 2010
8:40 pm
falc fan I bet you were all hot and bothered to get the DOME when all we had was Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. I bet the Battle of the Bands would to play outside and dance in the mud. Think about all the events the Dome can have no matter the weather. Outside will cost Atlanta many events because that is why we built it. That was the sales pitch to get the Dome in the late 80’s-early 90’s was it not?
Ole...OleOleOle
May 20th, 2010
8:46 pm
@Msfolly – God forbid you have to endure an occassional rain shower or mosquitoes, or [gasp] maybe even have to wear a jacket to watch a game outdoors in the fall. Imagine those poor souls up in DC, NY, or Green Bay to deal with the cold; or how about the Dolphins or Bucs fans in Florida? It’s a wonder they’re still alive after sitting in the Florida humidity for a couple hours to watch a game. It must be torture to watch games in the outdoors.
But I digress. You seriously need to get a grip of yourself, grow a sack, and enjoy some football, Nancy. It’s an outdoor sport…deal with it.
Falc Fan
May 20th, 2010
10:09 pm
PI$$onaDAWG,
I’m in my late 20’s so I don’t know about the sales pitch for the Dome back then. But I agree that the Dome has been a great thing for Atlanta allowing more events to come downtown. I think everyone is jumping to conclusions too fast on having the Falcons outside and losing those events.
This is what I think is going on. The Falcons organization truly wants a outside stadium with retractable roof. That is the best option but at the same time very costly. The Falcons know the GWCC wants to keep the SEC Championship, Kickoff game, etc at the GWCC site. To begin the negotiations the McKay goes to the GWCC and says we want an outside stadium and we have the option of building the stadium elsewhere if you don’t give us what we want. The GWCC would prefer a covered stadium to keep those events coming to Atlanta so they are going to be somewhat opposed to an all outdoor stadium but want the Falcons to stay on the GWCC site. Now they are doing the study on the Dome to figure out the cost of keeping it, renovations, or tearing down. The Falcons are then going to say to the GWCC help us build a new outdoor stadium with the hotel motel tax money and keep the Dome for the other events since it will be paid off. The GWCC will say that it is too costly to keep up the Dome just for those events so the Falcons will counter by saying lets add a retractable roof to the outdoor stadium and tear the Dome down and then everyone is happy. This approach will allow the Falcons to have more negotiating leverage with the GWCC in the long run. I think in 5 to 7 years the Falcons will be outside at the GWCC site and the Dome will be torn down. Hopefully the Falcons (ie Season Ticket Holders) and the GWCC can come to some agreement on a retractable roof and we keep all the other events and have more.
I also think that having the Falcons outside will make the feel of the game more like a college atmosphere that people will find they like a lot more.
The Solution
May 20th, 2010
10:47 pm
Option 1: State-of-the-art retractable roof stadium downtown in place of Dome. With leadership, this could be a great building that builds civic pride and serves everyone’s needs. But, we’re out of money and our credit is maxed out. If this happens, I’ll eat my tie.
Option 2: Open air stadium for NFL football, soccer, and the like at the old GM plant site. Still inside the perimeter but very good access for most of metro area (including north side d-bags) via I285 from I85, GA400, I75, US78, PIB, and MARTA rail on site. Opportunity to plan it right with adequate space to allow for great tailgating but to also be a positive Mon-Sat space for the community (maybe a new idea like excavating and sinking most of the bowl below ground level rather than a looming edifice). Keep the Dome but rehab it to be even more viable for its revised mission – hosting once a year events like ACC/SEC/NCAA basketball tournaments, concerts, motorcross, truck pulls, Circ-du-soleil, large convention meetings, college football kickoff, Chick-fil-a bowl, SEC Champ, possible UGA-FL……makes a certain amount of sense but requires too much thought and effort to do right – won’t happen.
Option 3: Tear down that crappy housing high rise (across from Grant Field), the Tech Alumni House, and a few other buildings in the large block bounded by North Ave., Luckie St., Merrits Ave., and Techwood Drive. The block abuts the current campus boundary on the east and north. Build a 75,000 seat outdoor stadium to be financed and used by both Tech and the Falcons. Tear down Grant Field to give Tech space to replace lost buildings and for additional growth. Marta station at Spring and North Ave is reasonably close. As mentioned by someone previously Falcons/Tech sharing of cost would hopefully reduce need for taxpayer funding. But, you’d need creative financing to retire the bonds Tech is still paying on for Grant Field addition and the impact to the adjacent Techwood mixed-income housing development and Coca-cola campus would require ingenuity in design. Requires even more thought, effort, political skills, and cooperation – extremely unlikely.
Option 4 – Build generic, run-of-the-mill open air stadium exclusively for Falcons downtown within feet of the Dome. Design and build it on the cheap so that it will inspire no one and be obsolete in 10 years. On game day mornings, check the weather forecast and the mood of season ticket holders. If its supposed to rain or be hot or cold, play the game in the dome. If it’ll be 78 and sunny with a light breeze, bring it outside, y’all. BINGO!!!!
mark
May 20th, 2010
11:43 pm
R U CRAZY? I had enough COLD rainy days at Fulton County Stadium. November and December are not that lovely in ATL. Also an enclosed stadium can serve many more functions. I don’t think too many fans want the SEC Championship Game or The Chick-fil-A Bowl outdoors.
Chief Wiggum
May 21st, 2010
12:19 am
Whaaaaaaah!!!! I might get cold! I might get too hot! I might get a little wet!!!! Bunch of babies. As Orlando said, fans in other cities would laugh about the pansies here who make those whiny comments.
I’m not a season ticket holder. I’ve never even been to a pro football game. Can’t afford it. Back in the day (7+ years ago), I have been to many college games, from hot games (sun in my face, 90 degrees) to cold games (freezing temps). Same goes for high school games. Maybe I don’t get the pro game (maybe that’s why I haven’t ever been), but it seems a lot of the fans are whiny and fair-weather. If you want to be comfy, spend your money on a good couch and a big-screen TV. I promise you can keep it at 72 and have all the room you need.
Memo to Mr. Blank: Atlanta is a COLLEGE football town – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | College in georgia
May 21st, 2010
5:58 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
MaxxFalcon
May 21st, 2010
7:13 am
Outdoor Football is sorely missed in Atlanta. We love watching and playing games in the elements. Retractable is really the way to go. If not, then we need an open roof, so we can experience football in the elements.Football is supposed to be played outside, in the elements, unlike Baseball or Basketball
Greg from Marietta
May 21st, 2010
12:13 pm
The Falcons are being very narrow-minded and acting a bit selfish. As a tax payer who’s money will be used to build a new stadium I think building an open air only stadium is a very bad financial investment. The Falcons currently play in the dome 10 to 14 day out of 365 that is about 3% of the year. The dome is used for many other activities than just the Falcons and since it is a dome and not an open stadium the weather is not a concern for any activity scheduled there. If a new stadium is required then the ONLY option to consider is one with a retractable roof despite what the Falcons say. That way the Falcons could play in the heat, the rain, and the cold if they want to and all the other activities that use the new stadium could have the comfort of an enclosed structure.
Greg from Marietta
May 21st, 2010
12:35 pm
I just finished reading all of the comments on this blog and can easily see that there are some that understand the financial impact that a multi-use enclosed facility has on the local economy. Then there are others who are so ignorant that they only see a stadium as a place to play football and a majority of those have some misplaced machismo that to be a real fan of a football team you must suffer out in the elements along with the team. I played football in both High School (in GA) and College (in PA) and believe me when I say that playing in the wet and the cold is not football but slop ball. There are many more injuries that result from playing on poor field conditions than on a good dry field. But those that have never played the game wouldn’t know that.
SeasonTicketHolderToo
May 21st, 2010
12:39 pm
I will not renew my tickets for an outdoor only stadium. Too hot early in season and too cold and rainy in late season.
Toshie
May 21st, 2010
12:46 pm
Go look at your own grass if you are that fond of it. Do you people that we play football in the winter and its, wet and disgusting.
Toshie
May 21st, 2010
12:48 pm
I also will not renew my tickets go sit outside. Been there/Done that. NO MORE OUTSIDE FOR ME.
Toshie
May 21st, 2010
12:51 pm
MAXFALCON I don’t know who we are, but don’t put all of the fans in that catagory as outside fans, because I for one am not included.
keeping it Real
May 21st, 2010
1:38 pm
For all you nuts need to keep it real I am from the south 32 degree raining wind blowing and 90$ a ticket is no fun. now a dome top that let back is the way to go!! The other way is cheep cheep way to go. Box seat is always in doors. You can put a falcon and a nest with a roll back top, people get real 32 degree and raining you have lost your cotton picking mind! I went to the Falcon game in 1978 philly VS Falcon cold as hell no way I am going to spend 2k to freeze!
STHolder
May 21st, 2010
3:24 pm
If the Atlanta wants to foot the additional cost for a retractable roof, then leave it downtown… If not, then build an open stadium on the north side and leave the dome for all the other downtown events. GA State’s new football team could play in the dome as well as the SEC tourneys, final fours, Chik-fil-a Bowl etc…
Atlanta without a dome would be a disaster…