Does a retractable roof on the Georgia Dome make sense?
Would putting a retractable roof on the Georgia Dome solve the Falcons' revenue problems? (POUYA DIANAT / pdianat@ajc.com)
BIRDLAND – It’s been kind of quiet on the stadium front.
But today, AJC staff writer Leon Stafford reports on the possibility of a retractable roof being placed on the Georgia Dome.
There’s some political bigwig meeting tonight where the bigwigs will discuss a recently completed study. The study doesn’t tell how much it would cost to put a retractable roof on the Georgia Dome, nearly triple the parking spaces and have enough space for a practice facility.
Architect's rendering of what renovated Georgia Dome could look like. (Populous)
Ofcourse, last month the Falcons said that they prefer a new open-air stadium and that they want to stay downtown in a public-private partnership type deal.
Check out the story. Does a retractable roof on the Georgia Dome make sense to you all? How about selling the naming rights? Coca-Cola Dome? Home Depot Dome? Georgia-Pacific Dome? UPS Dome?
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115 comments Add your comment
Falcons Fan
June 29th, 2010
1:28 pm
Yes, a retractable roof makes sense for us. It’s important to keep the Dome in town for economical reasons for the city of Atlanta. There are so many other events that rely on the Dome. No need to tear down this building for a completely new one. A major renovation would be fine.
Sure, great idea to sell the naming rights. Coca Cola field at the Georgia Dome, sounds great to me. We’re not talking storied Lambeau here – it’s the dome that we’ve been playing in since the early 90’s.
matt r
June 29th, 2010
1:37 pm
Has any other facility done this – putting a retract. roof on an existing indoor stadium?
Poppa Falcon
June 29th, 2010
1:44 pm
I like the idea. It’ll provide the open-air accommendations that certain Falcon brass are looking for, and it’s also cost friendly to the tax payers who are burdened with the current economic situation. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it; but u CAN STILL make it better.
Dawgs2010
June 29th, 2010
1:46 pm
Too late for a retractable roof for the Georgia Dome. Why bother? The building is out-dated and there is a lack of nostalgia.
The building is boring and it is in the worst part of town.
A new open air stadium would be great.It would allow more light and space as opposed to a big hole in the ceiling like a big sunroof.
It is time to move on for the Falcons. As for the Dome doing this for the Dome, then who is going to pay for it?
Go Falcons!
mountain_jim
June 29th, 2010
1:46 pm
To keep the Dome’s commitments and revenue stream going, it would have to be built outside of the existing roof, which would be torn down later when the outer roof was ready.
Don’t see this as cost-realistic, and the result would not be the fancy new digs Arthur has in mind.
D Money
June 29th, 2010
1:48 pm
If it’s going to increase the ticket prices tremendously, no thank you. Who would the practice facility be for by the way? We’re fine at Flowery Branch.
jroc
June 29th, 2010
1:49 pm
Wow a retractable roof….nothing but a ploy to get more of tax payers money…i would rather wear a bowtie every sunday then see the falcons play in a retractable roof dome on sunday…besides if you want a retractable roof you should have built an open air stadium in the first place. Keep the dome as it is.Even if you change it you still couldn’t get the Super Bowl hear again.
headmofo
June 29th, 2010
1:50 pm
The ultimate goal is to host the Super Bowl (at some point in the future) her in Atlanta.
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June 29th, 2010
1:50 pm
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waynester
June 29th, 2010
1:58 pm
Whatever the case, it needs to be a truly iconic structure–something unique that will help to continue to build a new image for the franchise, city of ATL, the region and the New South. Maybe a replica of Stone Mountain but instead of Confederate Generals, “engravings” of enshrinees to the Falcon’s hall of Fame. Something that connects to the region or at least is emblematic of the team’s Raptor motif. Perhaps something resembling an enormous egg standing on end when closed and which is surrounded by trees, giving the appearance of a “nest” from overhead aerial coverage on gameday or night. It would retract from the top, narrower end of the “egg”, leaving a jagged, “broken eggshell” top of a huge, round, brightly lit stadium stuffed with carnivorous “hatchlings” ready to be fed weekly on Saint, Buc and Panther meat. No more run-of-the-mill cookie-cutter facilities that don’t help build the type of mystique I think we want our franchise to posess going forward this century in an increasingly lucrative international sports environment. An iconic structure that people worldwide would immediately associate with the Team and the city, that tourists passing through town would just have to stop and take their picture in front of– that’s the type of structure I’m talking about. If you’re going to spend THAT much dough on a stadium, spend a little more to make it an investment for the ages– not just a hole with seats in it filled (but only when the team is hot) with ho-hum lackluster fans, as we can all well remember. We’re trying to create a new, winning culture with a fiercely loyal fanbase, and a unique gathering-place for those fanatical fans is a desperately needed first step toward building the sell-out-every-game mentality this franchise has lacked for so long. All these ideas copyright waynester 2010…..go Falcons!
jroc
June 29th, 2010
1:58 pm
The only way Atlanta will get the Super Bowl again is if it builds a new dome with a retractable roof outside of the 285 belt-way.
Peachtree Pete
June 29th, 2010
1:59 pm
I haven’t really enjoyed a Falcons game since they left the old stadium. Anything to open up the field and let the sunshine in (and dampen the music) will be appreciated.
Falcon Fanatic
June 29th, 2010
2:05 pm
I don’t see anything wrong with exploring all possibilities. A retractable dome would not be as nice as an open air stadium on a 70 degree sunny afternoon, but if it is 40 degrees and raining the roof would be a blessing. The additional parking would be awesome, but why would we need a practice facility here with a state of the are facility already at Flowery Branch?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
June 29th, 2010
2:13 pm
Falcon Fanatic — It seems like the GWCC people are not listening to what the Falcons want/need.
Jroc — They want to stay downtown. Outside of downtown didn’t work in Detroit. They are back downtown. It didn’t work in a lot of other places, too. (Cavs –downtown-to Richfield-back to downtown.)
jroc
June 29th, 2010
2:16 pm
DLed it works in Dallas and Arizona isn’t the city of Atl more comparable to Phoenix and Dallas than Cleveland and Detroit?
jroc
June 29th, 2010
2:20 pm
All the practice facilities are outside of the city doesn’t that give a message where ownership really want to be? Deep down they want out of the city, but are worried how it would go over with players and fans.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
June 29th, 2010
2:25 pm
jroc — They are outside of the city because they got a cheap deal from Hall County. What’s wrong with downtown and playing in a real city?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
June 29th, 2010
2:28 pm
What about the WAFFLE HOUSE DOME?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
June 29th, 2010
2:33 pm
jroc — good point on DALLAS and Phoenix. Where would you want it? Doralville? Decatur? Union City? Cumming? Cherokee County? Peachtree City?
jroc
June 29th, 2010
2:40 pm
Dled Don’t get me wrong Atl has the one of the best downtowns in the U.S. behind New York and Chicago but i don’t think Atl would ever get the super bowl again because of the Ray Lewis incident and how players view Atl as a party town.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
June 29th, 2010
2:43 pm
jroc — I remember changing a flat tire on the rental car during the ice storm during that Super Bowl weekend!!!
Hamp
June 29th, 2010
2:46 pm
If you could provide the retractable roof and increase or upgrade boxes and parking this is a great idea. Especially if the city would have to pay for it.
jroc
June 29th, 2010
2:47 pm
Dled i want it downtown where its at.
Mike V.
June 29th, 2010
2:49 pm
Should work well and will compliment our retractable fans
Infamous
June 29th, 2010
2:50 pm
I like Waffle House Dome. But it will probably end up being the Home Depot, Delta, or Chic-fil-a Dome. I hope not Chic-fil-a because too many jokes could be made with us being the falcons and all.
jroc
June 29th, 2010
2:51 pm
DLed do you feel like this will be the Falcons year?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
June 29th, 2010
2:57 pm
jroc — I do think the administration feels that they finally have the players in place for a big season. It’s like a new paint job. It looks good after you first apply it. Now, how will it hold up under stress and pressure. Should be a fun season to write about.
joe
June 29th, 2010
2:57 pm
shudda done that to begin with…would be cool watching falcons on a nice sunny warm fall day with roof open. Zero chance of that now with current roof…
jroc
June 29th, 2010
3:13 pm
DLed i got my popcorn ready!
bruce
June 29th, 2010
3:14 pm
what about the soon-to-be-closed fort macpherson area? it does have a golf course (= parking and practice facility), marta access, and an area where land is super cheap. Plus, it would help revitalize the area.
florida falcon
June 29th, 2010
3:15 pm
It’s the best scenario. A win win for all parties involved.
Matt
June 29th, 2010
3:16 pm
I like the idea. The fall in Atlanta is too pretty to be cooped up inside. However, keep the ATLANTA Falcons in Atlanta. Football games are played on Sunday in the early afternoon usually… no reason to move them out to the burbs.
Blanket Statements
June 29th, 2010
3:20 pm
Best spots to build outdoor stadium:
Doraville Plant
Legacy/Fox Creek golf courses in Smyrna.
Key Road (near McNair HS)
Lakewood
SirReal
June 29th, 2010
3:20 pm
D Led. As long as it doesnt cost the tax payers anything. Im so sick of these owners, etc trying to get the people to fund their projects. There are so many more issues facing the downtrodden in this city. So, if Blank and Co. fork over the money themselves, I’m cool with it. If they think we’re gonna pay for it, I have a big problem with that. I’d much rather help the people than the powers that be….
Blanket Statements
June 29th, 2010
3:22 pm
Also Fort Macpherson
Let's do it
June 29th, 2010
3:23 pm
I like the idea but they need to open up the corners too and give it even more of an outdoor feel, rather than just being a box without a roof. They could do this by taking out corner seats and making the walls of the corners retractable as well (would be nice if those walls are glass too).
The Braves & MARTA must not get along
June 29th, 2010
3:26 pm
This is off the subject but why the hell don’t they create an offshoot of the MARTA line that goes to Turner Field? The Braves would be wise to pay for at least a good bit of it.
R Morgan
June 29th, 2010
3:29 pm
The answer to the question, should a huge price tag be paid in tax dollars to improve an already nice facility, is not no, but He__ NO! Spend your own private dollars, have fun and make the economics work for you as you determine, but keep the tax dollars out of this boondoggle. If this proposal is not DOA, then someone is paying someone off and an investigation of kickbacks or other fraudulent activity should be instituted. That is what I think and I really like Arthur Blank and what he has and continues to do for Atlanta. This is just the wrong idea at the wrong time.
Erik
June 29th, 2010
3:30 pm
SirReal,
I agree. I like this idea but the Falcons should fork over some of the cost (if not all of it). They’re the ones who want it. The GWCC Authority and the city of Atlanta don’t need it.
Atlantan1001
June 29th, 2010
3:30 pm
The dome seriously needs to be rebuilt away from the crime riddled neighborhood it currently resides in. Have you seen the neighborhood on the west side of the dome? Its like a third world country. If the Falcons want more fans they need to move to somewhere where the fans feel safe walking to the their cars.
Horace Brown
June 29th, 2010
3:32 pm
Can you please post the renderings of the proposed renovation?
KD
June 29th, 2010
3:34 pm
You ask what’s wrong with a real city, you mean the one that you get ROBBED,STABBED,RAPED,CAR HIGH JACKED,& NO PARKING, nothing !
john
June 29th, 2010
3:37 pm
The Dome is outdated . No places to tail gate , you take your life in your hands when you leave . It is in one of the worst ares in the city .Move it outside the perimeter and maybe more people would enjoy the game day excitement . Look at the Patriots facility !!
jechapman
June 29th, 2010
3:39 pm
Please do not throw more good money after bad. The Ga Dome has always been the ugliest football stadium in the US, like a big inflated balloon… Atlanta and the falcons deserve a state of the art iconic home-place, that everyone will immediately identify as Atlanta. Atlanta has a beautiful downtown and we give the Falcons a tent that leaks to play in. To remodel the Ga dome will cost every bit as much as a new one. You know the estimates, regardless of what they are, will run higher. Don’t cheap out like we did when we built the present Ga dome. Let’s bring the super bowl and the world to Atlanta and be proud of it. Ticket prices will still increase, even if we leave it as it is.
The Proposal
June 29th, 2010
3:41 pm
Would it work if the GWCC Authority handed over a portion of the operating rights (i.e. money) in exchange for having the Falcons foot some or all of the bill for the renovation? The motivation to do that from the GWCC and city of ATL perspective would be that they ensure the facility lives on for a long time and keeps money flowing in (without the Falcons, the Dome may not be able to sustain itself).
John
June 29th, 2010
3:43 pm
I prefer an open air stadium, we live in Atlanta GA for pete’s sake. Why can’t the Falcons and the Dome authority go separate ways. If the city wants to host the Super Dome, thats fine, however the Falcons should not be tied into playing in a facility designed to host a game every 10 years if ever. I believe Blank wants to build a stadium designed for the Falcons and their fans. Let the city follow it’s own path.
Do it right
June 29th, 2010
3:43 pm
If they do this, they better make it state of the art and not something that will just be old again in 10-15 years.
john
June 29th, 2010
3:44 pm
JROC… Have you ever been to New York or Chicago ? How can you possibly say Atlanta has the best downtown after these two fine cities ? There is no downtown Atlanta .Where can you walk and feel safe ? Where is the shopping ? Miracle Mile ,Broadway .where are the comparables in Atlanta ? Boston , Washington ,DC , San Francisco , ALL surpass Atlanta in downtown living . Atlanta could have been one of those cities but the powers that be want to promote Sweet Auburn , Underground Atlanta ,Centennial Park as a great downtown …PLEEEEEASE give me a break !!!
j rev
June 29th, 2010
3:49 pm
Blanket Statements
Not on Key Road! It’s the only intown 4-wheeling site.
David Simon
June 29th, 2010
3:50 pm
Tear down Northlake Mall off 285/La Vista. If GM plant won’t sell to Blank, Simon Properties will. Best place between Gwinnett/Flowery Branch and downtown. They would pull from all suburbs and downtown in that spot and have easy highway access.
JEM
June 29th, 2010
3:51 pm
If there is a a retractable roof installed, they will just keep it closed for the home advantage noise factor. So whats the point?
Ole Techs
June 29th, 2010
3:52 pm
Who cares you will all watch on TV anyway.
Honesty is best policy
June 29th, 2010
3:53 pm
oh please no. get the Falcons out of the ghetto.
SirReal
June 29th, 2010
3:53 pm
Erik,
I’ve talked to quite a few people who say this isnt a good idea. They like the idea but hate the cost and Blank’s team hasnt done enough to make people blindly go for it just because we’re a winner. He should ask again in 3 years after the city has a Lombardi Trophy.
Roscoe
June 29th, 2010
3:57 pm
If Arthur Blank wants an open air stadium than let him pay for it. All of it. Land, structure, etc. And pay property taxes on the land and the structure like any other real business. And then he can keep whatever profits he can make.
The Falcons play 10 games or so a year in Atlanta, depending on whether they make the playoffs or not. The GWCC has to book other stuff in the Dome to make it vaguely pay for itself. Fill in those 10 days with other big events and let the Falcons go wherever they want – on their own nickle.
In a state where we won’t afford provide decent schools, highways, state patrol and all kinds of other necessary services because we are to cheap to pay the taxes to provide for them it is ludicrous to spend our tax dollars on bread and circuses for the benefit of a private business.
Not a penny for professional sports and I’m including NCAA Division 1 football and basketball in that statement. Not ever. They are businesses and shouldn’t be subsidized. Let them rise and fall just like the thousands of small businesses that are the real backbone of our economy.
Honesty is best policy
June 29th, 2010
3:57 pm
Really, the Falcons organization needs to hire security to protect tailgaters. I am sick and tired of bums asking for money. Who knows when it could escalate to more serious crime like a robbery or murder. Seriously, the the “smash and grabbers” i.e. the thugs have taken over the streets.
jroc
June 29th, 2010
4:17 pm
John i meant that Atl has the third best skyline.And John aren’t you proud of places like Buck-Head and Dunwoody,or Smyrna or the Burbs Man.
Don't Do It
June 29th, 2010
4:24 pm
Downtown is the perfrct location. We do not need to move any facility outside of the perimeter. We are getting a new police cheif. It should be the city’s resonsibility to take care of any crime issues, pan-handling, thugs. ( you people do realize thet crime is everywhere you dine, eat, etc., not just downtown) It’s not conveient for some of you, because half of you made the choice to live outside the perimeter darn near, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee. The Falcons need to stay where they are. Go Falcons !
DomePlayer
June 29th, 2010
4:26 pm
The question is, Can they do a full state of the art renovation in between seasons? I dont think there will be enough time. People are looking at replacing a whole different roof, more parking, and any other renovations. What about the idea of turning turner field into a football stadium, kind of like dolphin stadium?
Bama Falcon Fan
June 29th, 2010
4:28 pm
Last time I attended Falcon game was at old Fulton County. However, the idea of playing outdoor football in Dec or Jan in the Atl is foolish. I like the idea of putting the retract. cover over Georgia Dome. the “Depot Dome” does have a catchy name.
Falconidiot
June 29th, 2010
4:28 pm
Move the team North of the ATL.
Say What
June 29th, 2010
4:30 pm
Falconidiot ,
The name fits.
Mike V.
June 29th, 2010
4:31 pm
Whats the point ? I play in Philly now !
Stadium Neighborhoods at I-20 and I-75
June 29th, 2010
4:44 pm
Imagine an enjoyable fan experience you don’t get from the Falcons and Braves… Imagine putting the NEW stadium right next to Turner Field!
You could run a Marta spur to the baseball and football games. There’s plenty of vacant land available so displacement of residents will be minimal, you’d already have the parking lots from Turner Field and then you could open some year round attractions that would liven the fan experience. Some bars, some restaurants, some stores… the impact on the community would finally revive neighborhoods the city long forgot about.
Falster
June 29th, 2010
5:02 pm
Dawgs2010
June 29th, 2010
1:46 pm
“Too late for a retractable roof for the Georgia Dome. Why bother? The building is out-dated and there is a lack of nostalgia.
The building is boring and it is in the worst part of town.
A new open air stadium would be great.It would allow more light and space as opposed to a big hole in the ceiling like a big sunroof.
It is time to move on for the Falcons. As for the Dome doing this for the Dome, then who is going to pay for it?
Go Falcons!”
I concur wit this post!
Falcon Devil
June 29th, 2010
5:02 pm
Doraville makes the most sense. Big area, next to Marta, off 85 and 285 and out of the GHETTO!!
Kel Varnsen
June 29th, 2010
5:06 pm
Falcon Devil,
Doraville is every bit as dangerous if not more so than Downtown, and it hideously ugly. Peachtree Industrial Blvd may be the ugliest street in America.
tau
June 29th, 2010
5:12 pm
You want to build a stadium in East Point????? Only if you want to kill the franchise. The rub now is that the current stadium is in a bad part of town. Fort Mac?
It really doesn’t matter. There are so many issues that control this decision it isn’t even possible to list.
I say put on a retractable roof.
Kel Varnsen
June 29th, 2010
5:12 pm
And to whoever said building a stadium outside of the city would attract the Super Bowl…WOW moron. They want to have a super bowl in cosmopolitan cities not DORAVILLE. where would they stay the Savannah streets hooker motel on P-Tree Industrial, or the exciting office parks of Perimeter Center!? Having a new stadium in town lets people stay in hotels in Midtown and Buckhead you know… in society. The ideal area would be somewhere on the periphery of Midtown since that is our most cosmopolitan and walkable area. The events from the dome would jump start the Midtown Mile but it would most definitely be the nail in the coffin of Downtown, but thats ok. We need to be like NYC and promote Downtown as the 9-5 Business area and steer our tourists uptown to Midtown and Buckhead where they will have a much more enjoyable experience. Unfortunatley they invested a lot in Centennial Park and they won’t let that happen.
Mike V.
June 29th, 2010
5:14 pm
Wyoming has plenty of space!
Kel Varnsen
June 29th, 2010
5:16 pm
I say the Bulldoze the entire area of Boulevard right at Ponce and put it there, perfect location and would get the last “undesirable” crowds out of an other wise very cool area.
Sebastian
June 29th, 2010
5:16 pm
Let them play where they are now and just rename the Dome Bum Field at Panhandle park. Nothing like that ATL street vibe.
Jason
June 29th, 2010
5:16 pm
Haha… suburanites are such cowards. Some old man asks for change and y’all freak out and equate it to attempted murder.
America, Home of the Brave.
Georgia, home of the wussy coward.
Damien
June 29th, 2010
5:17 pm
The next to turner field idea sounds pretty good. I like it a lot. If that couldnt work keeping it right where it is. they could build a new stadium in the huge parking lot north of GWCC. The birds can play in the old dome while the retract is being built and afterwards the old dome could be torn down and be turned into parking and more green space for tailgating and whatnot. That way more people would be able to park on the GWCC campus and not in Vine City (where i lived for 2 yrs.) By the way Mr Blank is trying to improve the neighborhood. thats sounds like the best thing for all everyone as long as we dont have to pay for it
Sebastian
June 29th, 2010
5:20 pm
Why can’t they play in the Dome when it rains and Grady stadium when it’s nice. Grady would be plenty big enough because so many people are scared to watch a game outside.
Falcon Devil
June 29th, 2010
5:23 pm
Kel,
If you think Chamblee, Dunwoody, Norcross and Tucker are as bad and dangerous as the area surrounding the GA dome you are either a fool, ignorant, or possibly both. Buford Highway and PT Industrial are nasty to look at but not comparable to downtown in respect to aggressive panhandlers and shady characters hollering for their crack dealers.
A Disgusted Teacher
June 29th, 2010
5:29 pm
At a time like this, how can anyone in his or her right mind possibly have the audacity to suggest such a thing as a multi-million dollar retractable roof on a perfectly fine (as is) professional sports facility-with taxpayer money, no doubt? So many people are STILL losing their jobs or have been unemployed for months- if not years. People are losing their homes because they have lost their jobs. These are people who never thought they would ever have to ask anyone for help or worry about a roof OVER THEIR HEADS! When will these sports moguls and the politicians get a clue and realize priorities in this country are completely screwed up? Since when did it become “fashionable” to consider a sports facility “outdated” after less than 20 years (as has been the case in other cities)? Students and public school employees spend 180-plus days working in buildings that are approaching 60-80 years old with leaky roofs, faulty electrical wiring, flooding problems, mold, and roaches that could qualify for the Guiness Book of World Records! In my school system, the thermostats in the schools don’t even work because the school board office controls the temperature in every sweltering room-due to budget concerns. The heat or air-conditioning (such as it is) cuts off everyday before most employees can even finish their work. Ask those of us who are fortunate to even have jobs about how much our pay has been cut in just the last year through furloughs, hours cut, etc. At the same time, our taxes keep going up along with insurance premiums, the cost of food, gas, water, sewer, etc. However, such issues are of no concern to the news media. It’s so much more important to publicize the “needs” of a professional sports franchise that pays athletes more money in one minute to play a game than 99% of the US population will see for YEARS of hard and TRULY IMPORTANT WORK!
MCook
June 29th, 2010
5:32 pm
It’s not gonna happen for a LONG time so who cares…
Barnacle Bill Bavasi
June 29th, 2010
5:39 pm
Sounds like a better plan than tearing down a building that’s not all that old and has already undergone major upgrades. You can make the Falcons, the SEC, NCAA, Peach Bowl and Georgia World Congress Center happy with that plan.
Mike V.
June 29th, 2010
5:41 pm
Arty just gave me a call and said the Falcons need to show him sumtin first “fore he makes Atl build him a new stadium so y’all should be alright for the next few years
Drez
June 29th, 2010
6:00 pm
The Falcons definitely need a retractable roof for their fair-weather fans. Most don’t show up on time for games inside. I can only imagine how many will really show up and sit outside on a rainy Sunday afternoon. This is the south, where college football rules. Northerners will sit through bitter cold weather and blizzards to watch their teams. Can Falcons fans honestly say they’ll do the same? The same fans that sell their tickets to Cowboys and Steelers fans when those teams are in town. Build a stadium with a retractable roof!!
Build the new stadium next to Turner Field!!!
June 29th, 2010
6:02 pm
I’m a white guy living near Downtown and I’ve never had a problem. Stay observant, say NO to the panhandlers, don’t put your flat screen in the window, keep your car clean and get a dog. It’s that easy.
The only fear sports fans should have of downtown are the many choices… So many restaurants to eat at, museums or parks to play in.
Build the new stadium next to Turner Field!!! There’s plenty of parking, endless access points to the highway and lots of tax incentives.
Delbert D.
June 29th, 2010
6:14 pm
I think it worked in Foxboro, too. Build it north of the city, away from the grubbers of Atlanta & Fulton County governments.
Calvin G. Sims, Sr.
June 29th, 2010
6:16 pm
How about Varsity Field, or Gone With the Wind Field, or Tara Field, or Grits Stadium (now I’m getting silly).
Go Falcons!!!
Joe Don't Go Squad
June 29th, 2010
6:35 pm
http://joe_dont_go.webstarts.com/index.html
ryan
June 29th, 2010
6:54 pm
Yea i agree changing the dome would make sense instead of spending the money to build a new one and fighting with other towns in court. And adding new luxury sweats and new indoor practice facility and with better parking access might get us a Super Bowl and BCS championship game. SO LETS GET IT DONE.
Coach Hewitt..
June 29th, 2010
7:26 pm
I like this solution for the Ga. Dome…..Vancouver B.C. Eagles Stadium retro fitted rectractable dome…
Roof Facts
* The blue-sky opening is 100 metres by 85 metres — the same size as the field below.
* The fabric roof section retracts into the centre of the opening, where it’s hidden inside of a pod above the videoboard.
* Each of the support masts is 47 metres tall. All together, the structure is like 18 suspension bridges, each around 200 metres long.
* The new roof is much more energy efficient than the original roof, saving 25 percent on energy costs (or about $350,000 per year).
http://www.bcplacestadium.com/index.php/roof.html
http://www.bcplacestadium.com/index.php/roof.html
jojatek
June 29th, 2010
9:42 pm
It’s the obvious answer (surprised it didn’t surface sooner). Is there anything more to discuss…??
Bob
June 29th, 2010
10:47 pm
I think a outdoor stadium in a residential neighborhood in Braselton Ga would be a great place for the falcons to play.
falcon21
June 29th, 2010
10:49 pm
Dol, I for one would like to see a stadium outside of the city, I see many games every season at the dome with my family but I never really feel safe. It my be the same way every you go but in Atlanta I have been asked for money several times and when I keep walking I hear FU MF and my wife and kids hear it to. I work for every dime I get and I will not give it to some sorry azz that wants everything for free.
falco
June 29th, 2010
11:51 pm
We should use public funds to buy the stadium, but in exchange Arthur Blank must buy the Hawks! The Atlanta Spirit Group needs to be dissolved effective immediately and the Hawks should be sold to a single dedicated owner… Heck, Arthur should also buy the Braves while he is at it.
JP
June 30th, 2010
12:54 am
DOL: What’s wrong with downtown? Where would you like for me to start? Actually, it might be easier to name the things that aren’t wrong with downtown.
… There, already done.
realbirdofprey
June 30th, 2010
1:38 am
YES! A RETRACTABLE ROOF MAKES THE MOST SINCE!!!! PLUS ITS COOL!
JK
June 30th, 2010
2:03 am
When the Dome was built it was built with the option to add a retractable roof or a means to grow grass on the field right? Well, rather than build a new stadium in a less desirable location why not go ahead and see what the retractable roof option would offer the fans and the players? I say go for it. It’s the cheaper and most logical option.
Free Mike Vick
June 30th, 2010
8:19 am
Build what you want. Mike Vick will still whup yalls butt!!!!!!
TMoney
June 30th, 2010
8:25 am
I’ve always wondered why this hasn’t been thought of before. The Dome needs a retractable roof if the Falcons are going to play there. Think about it, early in the seasons the Falcons open the Dome and use the Georgia heat (which they have trained in) to their advantage. Once it starts to cool off too much (or if the weather is particularly nasty, close the Dome and let the fan noise be the 12th man. It’s a win win!
mks21701
June 30th, 2010
9:15 am
I think a retractable roof would be a good idea. There would be nothing better than an open aired football stadium, but I am thinking of all the venues that use the dome due to the roof being enclosed. If everyone is real about this, imagine the Super Bowl coming back to Atlanta, Falcons are in it, and it’s February 1st, how cold is it? Like a said I truly support on open aired stadium. Alot of times I think back and wonder why the Braves didn’t take the GA Dome and Falcons take Turner Field. Don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t change that now, but just wondering.
Bob Mairs
June 30th, 2010
10:32 am
Doesn’t anyone rmember why the dome was build. Fulton County Stadium wasn’t just old but very,very, cold.
nativefalcon
June 30th, 2010
10:48 am
GOD Yes it makes sense, just break out a big old can opener and crack open the top of the GA dome and re structure it and put a retractable top on it, they can change the boxes and seating all at the same time. We need best of both worlds and how long it would take to build a new dome, compared to how long it would take to reconfigure the old dome would make sense and make everybody happy. Call it Home depot field whatever.
ITS A POLITICAL MONEY GRAB
June 30th, 2010
11:16 am
See this link for a history of the political manauvering that went into the new Cowboys Stadium. It offers a sample of whats to come in Atlanta.
Link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboys_Stadium
See this link for a history of NFL Stadiums.
Link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_National_Football_League_stadiums
Pay close attention to the NUMBER of Super Bowl Wins
with the year of stadium construction.
Lambeau was built a LOOOOOONNNNGGGG time ago.
The Packers have MULTIPLE Super Bowl wins, and they STILL dont see the need to build a BRAND NEW stadium.
Despite all the spin to “convey” the message……
There is NO CORRELATION between a building a New Stadium and to help get Better Players, and Team Performance, or Super Bowl wins.
The so-called “bigwig” meeting is a total sham.
The cost projection of the renovation is PURPOSELY DESIGNED to make a
“retro-fit” of the GA DOME “look” like a failing proposition for the purpose of justifying a NEW stadium.
Next, here we have a MULTI MULTI MULTI Billionaire that will surely want to use Taxpayer money to fund the construction. “They” will SAY that it will be funded by Hotel/Motel taxes, and rental car taxes so only the out-of-towners or visitors will be paying the cost.
In case no one has noticed, the economy is getting WORSE, not better, which means A WHOLE LOT LESS DISPOSABLE INCOME FOR NFL TIX AND FAN TRAVEL. The local taxpayers would be on the hook for any shortfall from the “visitor taxes.”
WHATS IN YOUR WALLET ??
The stated goal of a new, or even renovated stadium, is new club-level, or box seats and other “luxury” features is to generate MORE REVENUE for the Falcons. I seem to recall LOTS AND LOTS of EMPTY SEATS in the regular seating areas last season. Even the new RED seat painting could not hide the GLARING gaps of empty seats.
If the Falcons cant even fill the REGULAR SEATS, how in the Hell are the going to fill the LUXURY BOX SEATS.
If the Falcons want a new stadium so badly, let Mr. Blank pay for it.
He HAS the money. The State of Georgia and the taxpayers DO NOT.
Rankin Smith “threatened” to move the Falcons out of Atlanta if he didnt HIS new stadium. He got a new stadium.
To what other state would Mr. Blank like to move the Falcons
if he doesnt get HIS new stadium?
sam
June 30th, 2010
2:26 pm
From this fan’s perspective, a bigger bang for the buck would be to buy up some of the depressed areas around the Dome and build more PARKING. Open air TAILGATING is what people want more than and open air stadium!
The Braves and Marta
June 30th, 2010
3:18 pm
The Braves are ecstatic that Marta is cutting service because they’ll make more money in parking revenue.
I don't give a rats A**
June 30th, 2010
4:10 pm
’bout as much sense as a refrigerator at the north pole
Go ahead, let ‘em name it anything they want…..it’s just a business…..all the sport was taken out long, long ago. All pro football is about anyway is greed and income re-distribution
NONONONONONO
June 30th, 2010
4:30 pm
bruce
June 29th, 2010
3:14 pm
what about the soon-to-be-closed fort macpherson area? it does have a golf course (= parking and practice facility), marta access, and an area where land is super cheap. Plus, it would help revitalize the area.
But Bruce, how many fans would get killed before the revitalization materializes? That’s probably a worse area than downtown Atlanta and that’s saying a whole lot. In twenty years, Atlanta Downtown will be like Detroit’s now.
ATL_native
June 30th, 2010
4:42 pm
Here’s another alternative. It keeps the Falcons downtown, and better integrates the stadium. It also gives the Falcons what they want: an open-air stadium. It’s pretty interesting- give it a look.
http://cloudarchitecturedesign.com/?p=13
Falcon fan 2
June 30th, 2010
4:47 pm
Doraville (old GM site) airport right nxt door, marta line right nxt door, 285 right nxt door, center of top end perimeter, easy access to I-75, I-85, and Ga.-400.
KCMO
June 30th, 2010
6:32 pm
Wow, now how about that? The house that Michael Vick built with a retractable roof…… lil Mattie just might be able to complete a pass down field now…..
Jerome
June 30th, 2010
8:32 pm
KCMO, it is acttually the house that Deion built. Shows how long you have been a Falcons fan. Retractable roof keeps all parties happy, GHSA, SEC, Live Nation, Motorcross, the many conventions held there, etc.. Just spend the money. I would pay a one cent sales tax.
James
June 30th, 2010
10:16 pm
I have a really good Idea use the teflon, But turn it into a convertible soft top. It will be cheaper trying to make a hardtop retractable roof. Have it lift like sails and make back like the original dome. By the way I like that Coca Cola Field at the Georgia dome.
KCMO
July 1st, 2010
12:20 am
Shut up Jerome. Dion and Mike both paid for it. Funny you should bring up Dion because he’s real and stood up for Vick in his time of trouble like a real friend. In fact the only time that I have been interested in the birds is when Vick, Dion, Risen, J.Tuggle, & J.Anderson (Superbowl team) era’s. How many Super bowls have the birds won??????? NADA !! Looks like they are bird-less. The Eagle has landed!! How’s that for a proud Falcons fan?? LMAO
Phoot
July 1st, 2010
11:18 am
I remember some really bad weather at the old Atlanta Stadium where it was cold and rainy.
Also on some days early in the season it felt too hot for football. A retractable roof sounds like a great idea to get the best environment for the fan’s comfort.
Marta’s train access from north,south, east and west is a plus for the GA Dome.
locdog59
July 1st, 2010
3:36 pm
Heaven forbid Falcons fans actually sit in the cold! Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Cleveland, New York, New England, Green Bay, Chicago, Philadelphia, Cincinnati all open air stadiums and all with much worse weather than Atlanta. We have plenty good enough weather for an open air stadium. And by the way the Falcons have always said they want a Public/Private partnership and are willing to pay a share of the new stadium. They have already spent millions of their own money on the dome, which doesn’t even belong to them.
Don’t underestimate the value of a professional sports franchise in the downtown area. Ask the businessmen in St. Pete who are sweating the possibility of losing he Tampa Bay Rays right now.
.
All of you who are afraid of panhandlers, stay in your cul-de-sacs. You are not cut out of in town life.
Delbert D.
July 1st, 2010
7:37 pm
Build it open air, private or private/public, out of reach of Atlanta-Fulton County tax grubbers.
jackyldo
July 1st, 2010
7:45 pm
The reality is more NFL teams play outside of downtown than do downtown.. Jets and Giants in another state, Patriots 40 miles from downtown Boston.
If you can retrofit and have a retractable roof, then it should be done… The structure is in place, With more parking, the access it has to MARTA… We’re talking Falcons games, college football, high schools where on a decent day / night you can have all the elements of the outdoors with no worries about climate control… When it’s inclement you can close the roof.
Think about a major event off season soccer 2018 world cup ? Concert U2 under the open dome ? Conventions..
This is an economic engine for Atlanta and must be primed.