Stadium deal could have Falcons back outside by 2017
Falcons owner Arthur Blank, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/DLedbetter@ajc.com)
The Falcons cleared a major hurdle today in their quest for a new outdoor stadium.
The Georgia World Congress Center Authority and the team have entered into one of those “memorandum of understanding” about the project.
Here is the stadium that Falcons provided to the AJC about the matter.
“The Georgia World Congress Center Authority commissioned and has received the results of the study performed by Populous regarding the potential for a new stadium on the Authority’s campus.
“The Authority has shared the report with us as part of our joint exploration of development options. The report addresses a number of topics that will be considered by the Authority and the Falcons as planning discussions move forward.
“We appreciate the Authority’s diligence in working through this process in a thorough and thoughtful manner. We continue to have open dialogue with the Authority on a range of topics and options, with the shared goal of working toward an agreement that is in the best interests of the community, our fans and all other stakeholders involved. At this point, no decisions have been made; therefore, we will have no further public comment at this time.”
Here is the news story on the stadium.
Check out the master plan, here.
Bundle up y’all, the Falcons could be back outside by the 2017 season.
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372 comments Add your comment
BDawg
February 23rd, 2011
3:51 pm
Hey Yuzeyerbrain, earlier you said
‘while Georgia “reforms” its HOPE Scholarship, all to be paid for by you and me’
HOPE is funded 100% by lottrery funds. There are no plans in place to take a portion of Lottery Revenue to build the new stadium. And you other whiners out there….is Arthur Blank supposed to pay for everyones college tuition because There isn’t enough Lottery Revenue to cover what they promised?
Quit whining people. Atlanta is not that hot in Sept. And it’s not that cold in Dec. If Soccer fans can sit outside and watch Soccer, Football fans should be able to tough it out and watch football out there too.
hey orlando
February 23rd, 2011
4:04 pm
OK 10 games a year x 20 years (bet they’ll want another new stadium by then) == 200 games
700 million dollars/200 games == 3.5 million dollars per game not to mention all the maintainence utilities etc. Yeah sounds like a bargain to me especially since there is already a perfectly good renovated not too long ago stadium already here!
Arthur Blank
February 23rd, 2011
4:06 pm
Contact the governor of Georgia andtell him what a waste of money this is!
Phone: (404) 656-1776
Fax: (404) 656-5947
Mathew
February 23rd, 2011
4:35 pm
I have been a premium/club season ticket holder for several years. I spend approximately $ 40,000 a year in tickets. If the Falcons move to an outdoor stadium I will not renew my season tickets. I will spend that money on a 105″ plasma screen TV and enjoy the games in the comfort of my home. I truly enjoy going to the Dome because of the unique atmosphere of live football. Who would like to sit through a rainy cold day in December of January when you can stay at home and not have to suffer the elements? Arthur, you better reconsider your decision or you will loose many premium seat holders like myself!
fo sho?
February 23rd, 2011
4:36 pm
walk a mile in the rain and cold to go to a falcons game and pay outrageous prices for tickets, concessions, etc.? No way!!! I’ll stay at home and watch on my 65 inch plasma in my basement, with sound system, popcorn, tons of beer, wings and bourbon. Let the local chumps buy those tickets.
S. Walker
February 23rd, 2011
4:45 pm
The NFL is pushing open air stadiums because they have ambitions to own pro soccer in the US – soccer teams want outdoor stadiums.
So, the taxpayers finance their stadiums, they get to expand into soccer.
20 year ticket holder
February 23rd, 2011
4:49 pm
the say the games sold out but theres lots of empty seat go out side there will be lots of black outs you better win a super bowl first before you want the fans to sit in hot are rainy weather. but like all others the falcons only talk about what the fans want . take a poll before you lose even more fans. this not the north east we have college football
.
Concerned Citizen
February 23rd, 2011
5:00 pm
Gov. Deal is cutting Hope scholarship and, at the same time, his administration wants all Georgians to build a stadium for a BILLIONAIRE.
The rich just gets richer, while the rest of us get screwed. This is beyond outrageous. Time to impeach Deal.
GO PACK GO!
February 23rd, 2011
5:44 pm
It didn’t help that day, but I’m a Packers fan who was at the playoff game and the decibel level was awesome!!! There was some real energy there… I wouldn’t give it up for grass. That place was rocking!!!
Hamad Meander
February 23rd, 2011
6:13 pm
Again – I don’t understand why my idea isn’t the best one out there – Sell the Dome at market value to Arthur Blank. Let him own it, make renovations, add luxury box seating, make the roof retractable, and rent it out to the SEC, ACC, and anyone else that wants to rent it. He could make tons of money on it and have the stadium that he wants. The State of Georgia could reduce its financial burdens by unloading the Dome for hundreds of millions of dollars. When did it become the job of the State to build and operate facilities like the GA Dome anyway?
Just think how awesome the Dome could be with some renovations and a new roof! Blank could reduce the seating to 65,000, have plenty of space for corporate seating, and make money renting the facility. It’s a WIN/WIN for the Falcons and the State of Georgia.
I offer my concept and awesome idea for free. Enjoy.
Hope Scam
February 23rd, 2011
6:40 pm
Deal’s taking money from the hope scholarship and will use those millions to give to his big fatcat buddy, Arthur Blank to build that new state of the art stadium—even worse, Blank keeps 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales, concessions, merchandise, parking, etc. Atl gets chump change from “sales tax revenue.” What a joke.
R. Limbaugh
February 23rd, 2011
7:52 pm
There was a time when the NFL liked the “no weather worries” of Domes, but now they see the opportunity of owning soccer teams that can play in NFL stadiums, so they want open air stadium stadiums for dual use: soccer and NFL football.
Now, instead of the certainty of playing in a Dome without weather being a factor, all the talk is about “football is meant to be played in the outdoors”
Folks, it is very, very manipulative. They don’t care about the present NFL fan base – their attitude is fans will have to accept it – it is all about making more bucks by adding soccer.
The genius NFL owners are going to screw up the good thing they have now – pro soccer in the US will fall on its rear, and NFL fans will turn to college football.
allen981
February 23rd, 2011
8:32 pm
Not one dime for Arthur Blank and the Falcons. They have a perfectly good stadium to play in without saddling the taxpayer with one more ounce of debt.
If Arthur Blank wants a stadium, he should take out a mortgage and spend his own money. Or, cede 10-15 percent of the franchise value to the taxpayers.
I haven’t been to a game in 10 years, though I was a season ticket holder for more than 15. The thugs, bums, and ne’er do wells who live and die by the exploits of a paid NFL team got the best of me.
The last game I went to my 75 year-old father in law was acosted by three drunks, sitting in his own seat, minding his own business.
Never again, and not one dime for the NFL, beyond what they already have.
toby
February 24th, 2011
6:23 am
I hated the idea of a dome when they built it. I had season tickets at fulton county, have the same seats since they built the dome .Now I am spoiled I will not pay to sit out in the elements
Falconian
February 24th, 2011
8:03 am
Football is meant to be played in the elements. The weather represents the city as much as the team does.
True Falcon Fan
February 24th, 2011
8:32 am
I have issue with the location. If you are going to build a new nest”Get the hell out of intown ATL” — Why not go to Buckhead?? The $$$$$$$$ are their!!!
True Falcon Fan
February 24th, 2011
8:34 am
Those city poloticians have already drained ALLLL the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ out of ATL!!! Yes ATL is BROKE!
Whats wrong with the Dome?
February 24th, 2011
8:58 am
Does it make sense that the Government complains that they are broke and they cant use tax money to pay for education, but they can certainly use $700+ million of tax money to spend on a new stadium that will be used about 10 times a year? Cant they put that $700 million in the HOPE fund if the lottery fund is going dry? It makes NO sense to build a new stadium when there is a perfect one a mile away from the new site. Arthur Blank wants the fans to have the real football experience, so does that mean that he will sit outside with the fans? Hell no. Hes going to chillin in the climate controlled suite laughing at all the idiots sitting there in the humid Atlanta fall weather. Blank wants a new, smaller stadium at taxpayers expense. Think about it, it the Falcons turn out to be good within the next decade, there will be more demand for tickets. If there are less seats, the prices will skyrocket. Blank will be laughing all the way to the bank.
Are the Falcons really worth it to sit outside to watch? When was the last time they won a playoff game? Does Blank really expect the Atlanta “fair weather” fans to sit through the elements to watch his mediocre football team? Who the hell wants to be uncomfortable and pay a couple hundred bucks to watch a game? Whats does being a true fan even mean? Cant one be a true fan and still be comfortable? Why should he have to sacrifice his comfortableness just to proves he likes a football team? This has disaster written all over it.
For all the idiots saying that football is meant to be played and watched outside. I can guarantee when football was first invented, if they had the artificial turf technology back then, they would have certainly used it and played indoors. The only reason it was played outside was because they needed grass.
ln29576
February 24th, 2011
9:22 am
Tell you what, I sure as heck wouldn’t want to be sitting out in the heat, rain or snow. Not at the price of season tickets. Give me a dome.
Shady
February 24th, 2011
9:48 am
The Georgia Dome was funded by hotel/motel taxes and industrial bonds. Taxpayers avoided incurring any direct liability and the Falcons lease only expires after the bonds are paid in full.
I can’t wait to have an outdoor stadium again, the rest of you wussies who can’t handle the weather can stay home.
marcman34
February 24th, 2011
9:59 am
no outside stadium; u guys forget it does get cold here, it does rain here, it does snow here and it does get hot here. u can ask any football or ex- football player feild turf is pefered its soft and fast. trust me u want a new dome stadium. atlanta isnt going to watch a game in the elements
Shady
February 24th, 2011
10:07 am
Winning sells tickets, not comfort.
mb
February 24th, 2011
10:51 am
Build a new stadium with a retractable roof, its stupid not to.
Smiling Jack
February 24th, 2011
11:12 am
Hope scholarships are funded by LOTTERY profits, a tax on the poor who chose to pay the lottery in hopes of striking it rich themselves. The stadium is to be funded by the hotel/motel tax, a tax on those wealthy enough to make Atlanta a business or entertainment destination. Nothing crass about it at all. What you have here are a bunch of dumb ass opinions by people who have little or no facts, just opinions, complaints and threats.
Shady
February 24th, 2011
11:18 am
Smiling Jack you win for best response to these dumb asses.
Smiling Jack
February 24th, 2011
11:20 am
I’m also tired of Hope scholarship whinners about losing their entitlements Fix the system or lose it all when it goes broke.
Whats wrong with the Dome?
February 24th, 2011
11:34 am
Cant they use some of the hotel/motel tax fund to help out the HOPE fund? Does Atlanta really NEED a new stadium? If not HOPE im sure that the gov can spend $700 million on something more worthwhile then a new stadium thats definitely NOT needed.
True Falcon Fan
February 24th, 2011
1:46 pm
Smilin’ Jack & WWWTD — IF a new stadium is to be built at least build it in a “SAFER” enviroment/nighborhood. Get the hell out of intown ATL! Build the stadium in a metro city like Buckhead, that city makes money it’s NOT already “BROKE” like ATL. Buckhead is not too “cultural” – folks get along together just fine!
True Falcon Fan
February 24th, 2011
2:02 pm
By the way i got myself out of ATL along time ago – now in Florida & Texas 50/50. Always will remain a Falcon Fan though, have been since day ONE! Like you say Smilin’ Jack everyone has an opinion, that being said “opinions are like a$$hole$ everybody has got ONE”! The Falcons would be alot better entertainment & draw much larger attendances with bucks to spend during game experience if the/birds were “OUT” of downtown ATL!!! Then maybe ATL would elect better politicians “get rid ALL of the thieves”!!!!
True Falcon Fan
February 24th, 2011
2:15 pm
I am just really sick of being told I owe somebody something, that tragically happened to their ancestry almost 200 years ago. The last i read the histroy book it’s past – it’s over now – you have equal rights to learn & work for a living, rasie your family and live in freedom, “Because you & I are Americans”!
When are people going to learn you must “HONESTLY” work for what you receive??
Falcons relax
February 25th, 2011
1:05 am
D-Led is sounds like your actually for this. Am I correct?
Falcon Fans = WIMPS
February 25th, 2011
6:54 am
Typical Falcons Fan = “Mommy, I’m cold, and my widdle nose is runny. I wanna stay home, protected from that outside bugger man. He’s scary to my fat widdle head. Arthur is a meaney, cause he made me sit outside with the scary football fans. I wet myself.”
Puhleeze, are you football fans or little girls who scream when a raindrop hits them?
True Falcon Fan
February 25th, 2011
12:03 pm
@Falcons relax —- My bet is D-LED supports that OLD lost friend whom is known as “Common Sense” — Buddy, make NO mistake it make sense$$$$$$$$$!!!! —- YES new stadium up way North of downtown ATL– “Now that Makes Sense”!!!!!
outside air
February 26th, 2011
1:46 pm
$700 million is nothing for a top of the line, state of the art stadium with a ton of suites, boxes, etc. The city will have to pay for it or Blank will move the team to another city that will pay.
Edward
February 27th, 2011
8:51 am
Don’t you just love it when the billionaires hold out their hand for government money. Arthur Blank wants some more of that welfare money and probably some more tax cuts. And everybody that votes GOP just bends over and shoots dollar bills outta their a**es to give it to him. Then they b*tch and complain about a child needing healthcare or lunch.
Beer Me
February 27th, 2011
8:52 am
For $8, can they add real beer at the stadium and give better quantities? No more of this watered down, weak stuff for $8. Sell the real stuff, 24 ounces for $8—not a bad deal. Otherwise, I will not buy any.
DwayneL
February 27th, 2011
8:57 am
I would attend games in new open air stadium. After attending countless LSU games in Tiger stadium, watching games inside a dome just isn’t the same.
DwayneL
February 27th, 2011
9:00 am
Those complaining about weather need to grow a pair!!! I love watching Green Bay games in sub zero temps with the stadium packed. Those are true fans!!!
Jay
February 27th, 2011
9:19 am
Nothing wrong with the dome. Is it even paid for?
J. Warren
February 27th, 2011
9:30 am
I’m not going to entertain this foolishness. Blank pay for the new stadium and you can sell to Dome to Georgia State since they need their own facility to play in. Another suggestion would be for Mr. Blank to save his money and continue to use the Dome. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Duh!
Prez Obozo the real CLOWN!
February 27th, 2011
9:31 am
Build your stadium if you wish but don’t use tax payers money!! Blank rolls in money, – let that idiot & the fans pay for it!!!
Larry
February 27th, 2011
9:36 am
Does anyone care about the fans and what they want? Does Fulton County Stadium mean anything to anyone? What about the”Dome Field Advatage”? How many sell-outs do you expect when it’s 90+ or 20 and sleeting? Dumbest idea I’ve ever heard, Mr. Blank.
Larry
February 27th, 2011
9:40 am
DwayneL, I see your point, but I don’ think it applies here. Green Bay is another story; so is LSU.
Long Time Fan
February 27th, 2011
9:54 am
Arthur Blank is a smart man, but he totally stumps me on this one. Also his stubborness to keep a stadium in downtown Atlanta flies against all economic sense. Build a retractable roof stadium at the old GM location at 285 and 85N and the Falcons would pick up thousands of upper middle class suburbanites who will not fight the traffic mess downtown currently. I’ve been a STH since the Dome opened and never use all my tickets in a season because fighting the hassle of getting there and back gets to be too much 10 times a year. I sure wouldn’t do it one time a year to sit in freezing rain or 90% humidity. We get both in a football season.
Corey
February 27th, 2011
9:59 am
We’re in the midst of a climate shift; more moisture in the air colliding with the northern jet stream dipping further south winter after winter because the Arctic ice caps are melting and no longer buffer the cold jet stream from roaring south more frequently. Having said that, the Super Bowl held anywhere north of Tampa is a bad idea. Think Dallas recently.
Sparkplug
February 27th, 2011
10:45 am
Does this mean the Peach Bowl will go outside? Oh boy! Some more games in a cold drizzly rain.. Now that’s a Peach Bowl!
Sparkplug
February 27th, 2011
10:47 am
Jeez Corey, have you got to insert that climate change crap into a football stadium discussion. The answer is of course yes. It is after all your religion.
crudmudgeon
February 27th, 2011
10:54 am
I’ll never attend a game outdoors again. The last outdoor Falcons game I attended at the old Fulton County stadium was the coldest I’ve ever been. I left at half-time and never attended an outdoor game again. Why would the players want to play outside anyway? This past season it sure looked like the teams from the ‘cold zones’ loved playing inside the dome. The dome sure beats the heck out of 20 degrees and a 15 MPH northwest wind! Dear AB, we don’t live in Green Bay and like it 70 degrees and sunny.
Strategy Session
February 27th, 2011
11:02 am
It’s an old bargaining tool—throw out an outrageous first offer, then “back down” to something more reasonable that the “other side” prefers. Blank will end up with a billion retractable roof stadium, but he had to create opposition to the first idea then the public will gladly pay for “their idea” of a retractable roof stadium with all the bells and whistles that blank wants—and he keeps all the profits, but atl taxpayers pay all the costs. That is why he is a billionaire.
Gator Guy
February 27th, 2011
11:08 am
To the idiots who think this is about sitting outdoors; as usual the concept of what this is truly about has escaped your limited intellect. Politicians love mindless sheep like you. Its about money morons. More profit for Mr. Blank coming in by using tax dollars to subsidize construction costs. Its really simple business and I don’t necessarily say I disagree with it, but that is the issue at which you must FOCUS-FOCUS-FOCUS. If you want an open air stadium and think the dome isnt good enough, then support it. If you think it is not a wise expenditure of your tax dollars, then oppose it. But for God’s sake man, put down your subscription of “Mud Flaps Weekly” and concentrate on the real issue here!