Are you Falcons fans ready to head back outdoors?

first

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Pro Football outside again, on grass? YEAH BABY!

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Absolutely. I have less of a problem with the dome than some people but domes really don’t do anything for the city landscape. Open stadiums when well done can be beautiful and excellent when outside. If the Dome ends up remaining there I wonder if the Falcons would build a bit smaller facility. 60K or even 70K seats would be a gracious plenty. Hopefully there will be some possible tailgating areas in regards to parking but that’s going to be tough.

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I LOVE the Dome. So many times I’m headed to the game either where it’s freezing cold, rainy, or hot as junk outside and I’m so glad that we play in a dome. Plus we can get that place pretty loud, which would be harder in an outdoor stadium. Either way, if we build a new stadium, I think the Dome needs to stay too so that ATL can keep the SEC championship, basketball tournaments, etc. I agree that a new stadium should be 60-70K seats so that it’s easier to sell out.

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I like the Dome. You don’t have to sit in the rain while your beer gets diluted……you don’t freeze your ass off when it’s 20 degrees outside with a 10 mph wind…..and you don’t have to sweat in the sweltering heat in September and early October.

It just makes for a more comfortable atmosphere for the fans, and your offense isn’t at the mercy of Mother Nature.

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Time to take it outdoors. This isn’t somewhere exceedingly hot or cold. Places like south Florida and Wisconsin seem to do fine with open stadiums. Most of the new stadiums built recently are either outdoor, or at least have retractable roofs. Detroit’s stadium is permanently enclosed (I think), but it also lets a LOT of natural light in. Playing in a big, dark room that needs to be artificially lit whenever used is completely out of fashion.

Not that I care about the SEC…but if there wasn’t a Dome, where else could they practically play that IS a dome? Only option is New Orleans, right?

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Retractable roof is the only way to go. You get the best of both worlds and still leaves the city in a position to host major events like Super Bowls and Final Fours.

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OK so all of you guy’s are chiming in for a retractable dome and the 20K PSL. As a holdover from Fulton County Stadium I can state for a fact that the season ticket holders paid not a single dime in PSLs for the past 18 years.

And now you want to finance a brand new building on our backs? Why, so you can feel secure knowing you are going to be dry and comfortable for the one game a decade you show up for?

Cmon man!

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First of all most of the people who write on these blogs do not even attend a game. Second of all I think the SEASON TICKET HOLDERS should have the majority of the input on this plan. If McKay and Blank want to ignore our opinions, then they will have to live with the lack of revenue because even after 30 years, I will not renew in an open air stadium. My three seats may not mean much to them but I am sure I have other season ticket holders who feel the same. I for one will not renew and sit in cold and snow and hot and rain as I used to do at the old Atlanta Stadium. I love the indoors and it is a great atmosphere for football. Mr. Blank can sit in his warm VIP box but I am out in the stands and want to be comfortable as my living room. I will not pay thousands of dollars to sit in the cold, rain or sweat in the hot weather when I can just watch on TV. I love the atmosphere and loud noise for football in a dome. You cannot have that outside, I know I have been there for many years. For all you people who want the outdoor stadiums, go to a Braves game as baseball should be outdoors. But football and the noise lends itself to being indoors.

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Whatever they build it probably won`t be good enough to host a Super Bowl again in the No Fun League`s eyes.

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The only sensible solution is the rectractable dome. This allows for the outdoor Falcon game, while also briing in Super Bowls, Finals Fours, SEC Championships, etc. that bring in so much money for the ciuty.

Personnally, I think McKay agrees, and is just seeing if he can get the state to cover the expenses of getting that feature added in on their dime.

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if outdoor stadia are so unbearable due to weather, how come all these southern colleges sell out 90k all season long? But actually, the retractable roof isn’t a bad idea…

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Build a new outdoor stadium downtown.

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You are in the South. Hot, Humid.. etc. Stay indoors. Its better for ticket sales

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I lived in Nashville when the Titans came to town and the PSL option worked great. Plus LP is an outdoor and works great. Much louder than any crowd I have seen at the Dome.

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What exactly is supposedly so bad about the Georgia Dome that it must already be replaced? The idea of replacing a facility that is less than 20 years old in the midst of an economy that is terrible and likely will continue to be so for years strikes me as the height of lunacy. Not one nickel from the taxpayers of Atlanta or the state of Georgia should go toward a replacement. Let Arthur Blank pay for it.

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Outdoor stadium – no roof (cheaper) – located out at least 50 miles from the ATL Hood – that way people can enjoy themselves tailgating – maybe go south closer to Macon or north closer to Flowery Branch. The artificial lighting and grass makes it hard to focus at times in person and on TV.

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I have been a STH since the 70’s, so I remember playing in Fulton Co stadium. If you like the open air option, you probably can’t relate to suffering in the September humidity, freezing your crystal when it’s cold, or cussing the umbrellas that keep you from seeing when it’s raining. Yes, I loved open air football on a nice balmy fall day too, but that’s not the norm and it is not worth the mostly bad times. If we get open air, I will be watching on TV. I agree with others that STHs should have a strong influence on the decision as they are the fans there for every game, not those who buy a single ticket only when the sun shines. I expect the Falcons could find a way for the STHs to help share the extra cost of a retractable. Maybe someone could answer the question: what is wrong with the current stadium (other than the crappy sound system, and a new stadium seems mandatory to get a superbowl in ATL)?

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Ok everyone, them bringing up this idea is plain and simple….THE WORLD CUP. Period. Yes, falcons want all this etc..but last year FIFA came to the GA dome and loved the city and loved what we did with the two (sold out) games that were held…i imagine this move if it is done is for us to get the Host site of the WC maybe not 2018..thats probably going to England..but 2022 is def ours for the taking..

Now as a falcon fan, I want an outdoor stadium…we act like we live up in minnesota or something..ya the heat is bad..but…big deal…college kids deal with it..i think a professional..can deal with it as well.

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Blank can build his own stadium by going to his local Home Depot, but Lowes has a better selection. The only thing wrong with the Dome is the lower end zone seats are not steep enough to see the other end of the field. Remodel the GA Dome and stop ask for tax money that is not there.

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And a MUCH bigger issue that needs to be addressed is the horrible parking situation that the current GA Dome has. Parking is absolutely ridiculous. In Seattle, it was very convenient to have large parking structures connected directly to the stadium and a large entrance ramp directly onto the highway. These deserve major consideration as well. The GA Dome is like someone built this huge building in the midst of DT and did not care that there really is no where to park.

One of the reasons people do not want to have another SB here was because of the parking situation, there is nothing to do around the stadium, and the crazy weather that can appear out of no where.

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It is all about money. The suites sell better if you have an out door stadium. To bad taxpayers take the hit. But somebody has to lose and it’s not going to be the big money.

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If you are for smaller government then you are for letting Arthur Blank figure out how he is going to pay for a new stadium.

“Discussions about the team’s digs intensified over the past few months as the Georgia legislature passed a bill extending the hotel-motel tax for the Dome until 2045.

Money for a new stadium would come from the tax and a contribution by the Falcons. The amount from each is to be negotiated, as is the division of revenue from concessions, parking and other sources.”

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I am a Falcons fan, and will watch them in a dome, outdoors, high school stadium, or a dirt field. I don’t care where we are as I cheer for my team, I just hope for a great game by my team, and hopefully we get the win!!!!

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Why not remove the roof,from the present dome.The technology is currently available.We Don’t need another stadium built.The state has so many obligations already that we can’t meet.Let’s get real about how we spend taxpayers dollars.Enough is Enough.

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I have been a season ticjet homder since. 98 and have attaended games at fulton county stadium. I also was a season ticket holder for the jets when I lived in NY. With the price of tickets the way they are and as I come into my mid 40s I would not renew my tickets if we moved back outside. Nothing worse than sitting in the rain trying to watch football . As far as PSLs they are a horrible idea. Falcons cant sell out now. And when we do its because we low ball the cheap seats. Im a little pissed off Rich Mc Kay made this statement without even taking a season ticket holder survey. What happened to theyre fan appreciation for there loyalty through all thoughs crappy seasons.Guess my dad was right. They dont give a rats arse about the fans.

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If the Falcons pay for all of a new stadium then let them build whatever they want. If taxpayer money is involved in any form then the stadium better at least have a retractable roof. No bowl games and no conventions are going to come to town and sit in the cold or hot. The stadium needs to be used more than the 8 home games per year plus the 2 pre-season games. Spending 400 milling dollars or more needs to be used more than 10 times per season.

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IN DOE

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While the Dome has superior sight lines than the old stadium (where a 50 yd line seat was also 50 yds from the field), I’d rather be a mile from the field and outdoors any day of the week. Football in the south in the fall is meant to be outdoors … Seems to work OK for ACC/SEC teams … can you imagine the outrage if UGA announced they were doming Sanford? Problem is politics: if the STate is going to be in the mix, they want a multi-purpose facility downtown which is how the Dome came to be in the first place, after Rankin Smith’s bluff to move the Falcons to Jacksonville. Why can’t we keep the Dome as is for SEC Champ, Peach Bowl, motocross, etc.? Who needs the Super Bowl, really?

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@The Insider. I AGREE WITH YOU TOTALLY!

All,
It seems like the retractable roof is the “chic” thing to do in sports right now. Forget it, the Falcons are too cheap. Its either going to be indoor or outdoor. No sexy tops coming off guys. Sorry.lol

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A retractable roof stadium would be ideal, it’ll be perfect to keep all the other events that use the Georgia Dome year round. Technology does allow the Falcons to renovate the Georgia Dome and keep it up to date, but I’m sure they would rather new digs. I’ve always felt moving the stadium to the GM plant site was selfish and I live in Gwinnett. I have family and friends that come to the Falcons game from all over the south and moving the stadium that far out, would just make their ride much more longer. I hate those suburban jungles, look at D.C. they’re begging to come back into the inner city. The Detroit Lions, they moved back into the inner city, and I know half of yall wouldn’t fly over Detroit in a plane. Look at Dallas, they were so selfish and cheap, they missed out of the new Cowboys stadium, they had their chance, but didn’t want to pony up. So a suburban city did and now they’re reaping all the benefits. Houston Texans are downtown, Indianapolis Colts are downtown, the game was played in the Metrodome, but if the Vikings move outside, they will lose the final four. Don’t forget, the state legislature passed a provision that would require the Falcons to STAY DOWNTOWN. FOR THE TAX MONEY!!! DUH Why would the super bowl come to Doraville, GA? Why would the Final Four come to Doraville, GA? There are no hotels out there, traffic at the Spaghetti Junction would be a nightmare. Georgia doesn’t want to help pay for MARTA, so that’s unreliable.

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If we have an outdoor stadium all bets are off. You can barely get all of the transplant people who live her now to enjoy a game inside the dome….. Why would the Falcons brass think the fans would enjoy the elements?? No one wants an outdoor only stadium!!! A retractable roof is one thing, but when the elements are such that it takes away from the fan experience, I will pass.

Rich, please stop trying to turn Atlanta in to Tampa. Its not warm year around and we do have true winter days.

Focus on improving the fan experience inside the Dome. Scout out an area with better parking and and adequate space for tailgating.

I hate to say this Rich, “we have been spoiled by the Dome”.

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Birmingham apparently has plans to build a Dome. The SEC headquarters are in Birmingham. So if we follow through on building an outdoor only stadium then you can pretty much bank on having to drive 2.5 hours west on I-20 for the SEC Championship every year.

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We, the taxpayers have built them a fine stadium. If they want to pay to build a new one, fine. But, the Georgia Dome is 16 years old and has been updated once already. There’s not one thing wrong with it.

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I hope Rich McKay and Arthur are outside when the rain comes. Oh no, they will probably be in their box.

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the weather is what makes football so exciting at times. rain, sleet, snow, makes for unpredictable outcomes. who didnt like playing in the rain and snow growing up?

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@ Rich McKay – Fan experience – Season Tickets – Luxury Boxes – Pays your salary. Focus on the FAN and family. Cold Wet Rain is not sexy or REAL football. The enjoyment of being with like minded folks who care about the FALCONS is fun. As a season ticket holder I WILL NOT renew my SEATS to sit in the COLD WET RAIN SNOW WIND.

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I don’t care where the Falcons choose to play-as long as they pay for every bit of the new stadium. It is not the taxpayers’ duty to fund playgrounds for billionaires and their millionaire employees.

Amen. Did I read correctly that the city will be levying a tax to pay off the Georgia Dome until 2045? How does it possibly make sense to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue to build a new stadium? The new stadium wouldn’t be paid off until 2150 at that rate. Let the other cities dig financial holes. The Falcons can take donations or do whatever they can to raise the money themselves. Just don’t turn to the city or state to fund your playhouse. The economy is already a mess.

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@Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired – I totally agree

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It’s fine to sit outside in beautiful September but I really have no interest in sitting outside and freezing my butt off in December if I don’t have to do it. I’ll just watch on tv for those games. At home or in the local sports bar. Yes, that truly is the definition of a “fair weather” fan but I’m not sure I care. I’ll watch every single game but why be freaking uncomfortable while I do it?

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Who cares what Bear and Packer fans think..if they like the cold and Rain… find with me.

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Orlando –

Yeah, Bears and Packer fans are laughing at us and I have no problem with that while I sit my comfy butt in climate control. When Atlanta starts bringing in the CHAMPIONSHIPS of the Bears and Packers then maybe we can reevaluate how much discomfort a fan is willing to withstand in order to go and see the Birds. Until then, let’s make it better / easier on the fans to want to go and spend money at the stadium for a team that is celebrating just having back-to-back winning seasons as if it were our own little Super Bowl victory.

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It don’t make a damn what fans want..its all about the MONEY!

Forget your option ORLANDO.

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FalconsFan (you stole my name, jk),
I agree that the stadium needs to be downtown, but I disagree with your argument. My job requires considerable travel, which has allowed me to experience numerous stadiums around the country. I disagree that suburban stadiums are a logistical nightmares or taint the surrounding neighborhood. The Dolphins Stadium is a prime counter-example to your logistical nightmare. They literally have created exits off of major highways that lead only to and from the stadium. The flow of traffic to and from the stadium was the smoothest I have ever experienced. If you have ever been to the new Patriots stadium, you would see a perfect example of how the stadium has actually helped the local economy thrive and prosper. The stadium literally has a mall attached to it, which drives a lot of business to its restaurants, shops, and movie theater. My arguement is that it requires due-diligence and proper planning to make a suburban stadium work, as well as a downtown stadium. Again, I prefer a downtown stadium because of the ambiance it generates, but a suburban stadium can be successful.

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Pansie 1. Maybe they will install recliners for you at your new Dome. I don’t care if you come to the game or not. Tell me the number of times you’ve sat in the rain for a game. Freezing rain at that. OHHHH the WIND!!!!! I’m COLD!!!!!!!!!

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Never bought the luxury suite/box stuff. I guess that is for the folks who want Outdoor stadium hang out. I work for a living. I dont live to work.

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KIDS ha ha – have no real SENSE of what is REAL

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Not no, but hell no!

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Whats wrong with gay? I have numerous gay friends. It’s not OK to be gay?

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JJ?…..Are you a season ticket holder?

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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.

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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.

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Why can’t we just have a retractable roof?

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What is your point in asking him that Piano..if hes rich or poor?

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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ATLHOMER, D. Orlando Ledbetter. D. Orlando Ledbetter said: Are you Falcons fans ready to head back outdoors? http://bit.ly/9hGgIN [...]

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Aight, this place has turned dead on me. I’m going to lunch.

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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.

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Agree, Retractable roof and everyone will be happy.

Fair & Balanced is that right..Orlando?

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Wait… what do you Miller Park and Lambeau have to do with the GA Dome?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Enter your comments here

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What happened to my beer post? The one where I complained about the poor selection at the Dome.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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oops… I mean soccer, sorry

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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@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.

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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!!!!

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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…

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I’ll be watching the weather. If it’s cold or raining, I won’t be there. Plus I will not be able to buy in advance. All home playoff game will be in 33 degree rain. Not for me.

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I hated when they built the dome.However I went to a UGA game early in the season,sat in the sun and sweat my but off.Went to the Falcons gane in tampa last season and froze my butt off. I think I might be spoiled now.

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