Stadium deal could have Falcons back outside by 2017

Oh hell yea!!! Who is the man??? Yes I am…. Go me Go me Go me.. Oh this is a Ledbetter article that means nobody comments….

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SORRY FANS ITS I WHAT I WANT. I WANT A SUPERBOWL HERE IN 2018

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Open air stadium is the worst idea ever. It’s blazing hot here through late October so even when its not raining- its too hot to sit in the sun; especially if you have younger kids. I also don’t think they are going to gie Atlanta a super bowl with an open air stadium, especially after what happened in Dalls. I don’t understand Arthur’s thought process on this at all.

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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Clay Waterfill, Nubyjas Wilborn and Brandon Baker, D. Orlando Ledbetter. D. Orlando Ledbetter said: Stadium deal could have Falcons back outside by 2017 http://t.co/nLB7OUR [...]

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Let Blank pay for and build a stadium if he wants one. He can have one of those Saturday classes at Home Depot such as “How to Build a Complete NFL Stadium”, “Building out a Luxury Box”, or “Adding Escalators to Your Abode.”

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Why do they want an open air stadium? I havent meet a fan yet that wants to sit in the elements to watch the Birds play….. Bad idea if you ask me

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On a day when the state has decimated the pre-K program for four year olds and cut the HOPE scholarship program, we talk about funding a stadium we don’t need while we have a better facility already in use. Does that make sense to anybody?

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No John, it doesn’t.

But it probably sounds good to the folks who will receive this corporate welfare (while simultaneously calling for tax cuts for themselves).

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Only in Georgia!!! SMDH!!! The Georgia General Assembly is a joke!!! The people at the GWCC have absolutely no backbone!

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I for one have gone to my last Falcon game if they play outside. Who wants to sit in heat, cold & rain? Not me.
Sorry Mr. Blank, you’re way off with this one.

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Seriously???, give up your season tickets if the Falcons move into an open air stadium?? Are you kidding me? I for one would love to go back outside. This is from someone who has had season tickets for the Falcons at the Dome and at the Stadium. By FAR the better game experience was the outdoor stadium not even close. Fall football in the South is incredible(yes even winter football too). Not to mention better tailgating possibilities with the new site. I am all for it and for all of you FOOTBALL fans who cannot handle the outdoor elements to watch a game you need to go away and let some real football fans have your seats. This is not a tennis match for goodness sakes it is FOOTBALL!!!!!

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Not that they should be building a new stadium anyway, since it will inevitably involve a ton of public money that this city and state can’t afford, but if they do they would be foolish not to include a roof of some kind, retractable or otherwise.

And hopefully they don’t make the same mistake so many of these other new stadiums do, where they forget about acoustics and end up negating the impact of home crowd noise. The New Meadowlands is notorious for this.

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I would say “fun and games for the masses” while Rome burns, but it is even worse. It is “fun and games” for the wealthy and $$$$$$$$$$$ for Artie Blank, poor sole while Georgia “reforms” its HOPE Scholarship, all to be paid for by you and me.

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Unless you play in Minnesota or freakin North Dakota football is supposed to be played outdoors period. Green Bay outdoors, Chicago outdoors, New England outdoors, Philadelphia outdoors, New York outdoors, Pittsburgh outdoors, Denver outdoors, Buffalo outdoors. Do you know what all of these and many more outdoor teams have that we don’t? Super Bowl Championships(except for Buffalo but hey they played in four straight). Dome teams do not win championships. If fans from these truly COLD weather cities heard the pansy a** talk from our fans they would laugh their a**es off.

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First fan…I was a season ticket holder that building the DOME ran away along with alot more than 45 people. I lasted two years in that environment and could not take it anymore.

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Seriously! When is the last time an SEC team built a “new” stadium? Sure additions, renovations, etc. have taken place, but almost every freaking SEC team is in the same home they have been in for the past 50 to 100+ years; they pack in on average 10 to 20,000 more fans per game than Artie’s new playground; not a one is surrounded by 20,000+ parking spaces, yet everyone manages to find a spot to park and tailgating isn’t even comparable it is so much better; fan base is more loyal; and the program largely functions on donations from alumni and ticket sales! Granted they don’t ‘pay’ their players, but build a winning team, some history and tradition, and you don’t need a crappy new stadium that drains the tax base for the next 20 years! IF FALCON’S FANS WANT A NEW STADIUM, LET THEM AND ARTIE PAY FOR THE FREAKING THING THEMSELVES!!

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GA Dawg…
You’re so out of touch with reality it is laughable… Those communities sans Buffalo were willing to use public monies and maintain public control over those stadiums. And go ask the people of Oakland County Michigan of what is like to be stuck with municipal debt for the next 20 years with a white elephant because a greedy owner expects to subsidized in order to make money on top of $9 billion in profits they alone share? You don’t have a clue!

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Well, I’ll hold on to me tickets until we move into the outdoor stadium. For those that said football is for outdoor you really haven’t experienced outdoor football until you go north. I’ve been to D.C., Baltimore, Philly, and New York for games and it’s not even funny watching parents carrying blankets for their kids. Better yet try walking from the concessions with coco and the crap is cold before you get back to your seat.

I love m y Falcons, but I’m just like a spoiled athlete I feel as if I’m entitled to sit in luxury with a roof over my head since that’s what I’ve been accustom too. Hey, let’s just round up all the season ticket holders and file a greivance with the fan union against Arthur Blank for failing to provide luxury to his shareholders with this open stadium idea………….. LOL

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Funny how some are complaining about an outdoor stadium because it’s too hot in Atlanta….and some are complaining about it being too cold. What a bunch of crybabies.

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My opinion. Arthur Blank, GET OUT OF DOWNTOWN! If they want you to pay for a lot of the stadium, build it yourself and reap the benefits of everything. Move it somewhere, ANYWHERE but downtown. What a ghetto.

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PayUp, Sorry but Vegas is 25% the size of Metro Atlanta. LA, well that’s another thing. But Metro Atlanta is the 8th largest city in the USA.

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PSL or not, it takes twice as long to pay off and service debt on a outdoor stadium because it lacks any other revenue streams and uses. And if that field is natural grass, “Kathy Bar The Door!” It is going to be a mess!

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Lots of interesting stuff in that report. Unfortunately, doesn’t do much to fix the poor ingress/egress or tailgating situations.

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“There will be plenty of people to buy up your tickets to BRAVE the elements.”

You didn’t do it from 1966-1990 and for all of your BIG TALK, you’re not going to do it now! It is financial, demographic, and economic boon doogle! And nobody is scared of cold, I went to college in Michigan… But there is a difference between snow and freezing rain! There is a difference between heat stroke (as many of us remember from the toilet bowl) and being a drunk and stupid college football fan…

And if you’re NOT thinking about paying for that mess, then you need to close the page…

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Does anyone but me think it is totally crass that on the same page as ajc.com trumpets a new stadium for the Falcons, Gov. Deal is announcing drastic cuts to the HOPE scholarships? If this is what the Republicans and conservative see as progress, Lord help us.

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The article says the ‘Falcons’ want the building…really dude!? What abt the fans? we do not. want this! we have summer skin not northern Greenbay, Jets, NEngland skin. Horrible idea. And I guess I will watch the birds at home after 12 years of Defending The Dome.

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For every hot/cold/rainy/snowy Sunday in Sept – Jan there are 10 days when it is between 50* – 75* under sunny Georgia blue skies!

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This is pure Bulls**t…….the stadium authority are nothing but a bunch of turds……build a new stadium in this economy for a billionaire owner? who’s laughing all the way to the bank. Anyone who supports this is an idiot…….

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Stupid move for open air. No Chick-fil-A Bowl, no SEC championship…because who wants to sit and watch in 30 degree weather. That’s why the Dome got the games they got.

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you have lost your mind ,a open air stadium. This is not Green Bay. we never won a super bowl. oh yea Matt Ryan has a weak arm. don’t be a clown with this open air B.S. don’t know who Blank is talking to but don’t listen to those clowns on this!!! Bank on it. Read my lips no way in hell I would stay a season ticket holder!!!!

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Yes, see Jeremy Thomas

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Arthur Blank and crew are disgusting pigs. $700 million for a stadium we do not need. Waste our hotel tax money on that instead of addressing crucial infrastructure needs like our backlog of $786 million plus in overdue city roadwork. And the water and sewer project. And who knows what else. Please Arthur, either stay in the Dome, pay for the new stadium yourself, or move the team somewhere else. We have more important needs than a stadium that MIGHT hold one Superbowl, MIGHT hold a few FIFA matches, and will otherwise be used for 10 to 12 NFL games a year and nothing else!

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Arthur Blank has played you!
Google this article…
‘Patriots teach lesson about stadium financing’
By Dave Copeland

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Just read the plan. Seriously? 65,000 seats with 10,000 “temporary seats” for events like the Super Bowl? Sounds like a stadium for an ACC team. Let’s keep what we have, put real grass in with a retractable dome and move on.

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Mr Blank you will lose most of your female ticketholders and a lot of us who have had tickets for over 20 yrs if you move outdoors. A lot of the older fans will not renew to sit outside in the unpredictable elements here in Atl. If we can’t justify a Superbowl when we have a dome and the weather outside is bad we will never get in the rotation with an open air stadium. Please reconsider!

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Don’t they remember 40 degrees and rain in Ol’ Fulton County Stadium? What are they thinkin? Put a retractable roof on it.

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D. Orlando Ledbetter
February 22nd, 2011
6:31 pm
“Commissioner Goodell said “real football” is meant to be played outdoors.”

You mean the fool who had ticket holding folks standing outside watching a game on a big screen because he did not check to see if the host had gotten proper permits from the Arlington Fire Marshal? Yeah right!

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Jacksonville – outdoor
Charlotte – outdoor
Nashville – outdoor
Atlanta (pre-1993) – outdoor
Athens – outdoor
Most every high school game – outdoor

I think we can survive.

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All….it’s called wearing a coat to the game. And we already had an open air stadium once and no one complained…
Go Falcons!

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GEORGIA DOME ONLY 19 YRS OLD ITS A GREAT PLACE..AND WAS ROCKIN FOR THE PLAYOFFS AGAINST GREEN BAY…DIRTY NEW ORLEANS CAVE IS 40 YRS OLD AND THE GET A SUPER BOWL ATLANTA IS A BETTER CITY AND HAS A BETTER DOME…KEEP THE DOME OR I WILL STOP BEING A SEASON TICKET HOLDER

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of all those drizzle rain soaked Peach Bowls at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

And we make sure the patrons get more exercise as the proposal states all will have to walk twice as far from Marta and the parking areas.

How could this miss?

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The falcons need to move to the suburbs, maybe south of atlanta in clayton county, where they can get cheap land for a huge stadium and parking. The county will pay whatever they want to locate there, since they are having financial problems. Move it on out—-Clayton’s the place to be!

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All you people whining about sitting out in the elements are sissies. Football is an outdoor game. Man up and stop whining. You sound like women. September and October are incredible months outside for football.

You aren’t real football fans anyways if you don’t renew your tix so the Falcons won’t miss you. The real fans will line up to watch games outside.

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“And we already had an open air stadium once and no one complained…”

Huh? Folks used to go CRAZY about the conditions at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium!!! Season ticket folders we leave at halftime of 4PM games in December because the toilets would freeze! And all of that tailgating talk… Ha ha!!! That wind would whip up off of 75-85 and tear you a new down in the Orange lot. How many of you the Redskins-Falcons game back in 1989? Man, it was so cold that Redskins players came over and drank our hot chocolate

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FOR THE PEOPLE WHO PAY THE CASH OPEN AIR HAS LOST. PUT IT TO A VOTE! I WANT US TO BE IN THE SUPER BOWL! BUT NOT WITH THAT WEAK ARM OF MATT RYAN. CAN YOU SEE HIM THROWING IN A 20MPH WIND . OPEN AIR? Ledbetter POLL IT AND SEE!!!

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700 Million $ for to let rain in, heat in, cold in, and no f…money for Hope …. AM I THE ONLY ONE MAD ABOUT HOW OUR NEW GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATORS ARE SELLING GA CITIZENS OUT….

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I just became a season ticket holder this year. I love the dome. My wife is not going to sit outside in the cold. Im not sure of how many games I want to freeze to watch in the cold or sit in the 90 degree heat in August and September. A retractable roof would be ideal. If the are going to build a new stadium make it a retractable roof then you can have the best of both worlds.

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Bunch of crybabies here. I know about 50 people who will take your season tickets when you don’t renew them. Thanks for letting the real fans enjoy real football outside.

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put a open air stadium here and watch Atlanta fall farther behind progresive cities like Charlotte,Dallas,Seattle, a dome is very much needed here and thier is nothing wrong with the GEORGIA DOME…CRAPPY NEW ORLEANS HAS A 40 YEAR OPLD UGLY CAVE CALLED THE SUPERLESS DOME AND THEY GET A SUPER BOWL ITS THE WORST VENUE IN THE COUNTRY..MR BLANK DONT DO IT !!!KEEP THE GEORGIA DOME!!

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Sit your “50 people” in the sun or the freezing rain, while Arthur Blank is in his luxury box laughing at your dumb _ _ _!

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@ sissies season tickets are still available so those 50 people can get tickets if they want them

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And to all those complaining about the $700m price tag, read through the state of GA budget documents to see larger sums of waste that don’t produce anything. At least a stadium will result out of this effort.

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HFF- Atlanta is WAY ahead of Seattle and Charlotte in a number of measures (both with open air stadiums as well), and the GA Dome is not being torn down.

Atlanta will have a great Dome, and open air football stadium, and an exclusive for baseball stadium all within a short walk of the GAWCC and all of the downtown hotels.

I love the GA Dome, the sightlines are the best of any football stadium I have ever visitied, and the food is good; but an open air stadium with a view of the skyline will be a great experience and provide another entertainment/convention venue.

Super Bowl or not, all of these venues together will give Atlanta an unmatched hospitality infrastructure advantage.

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“will be a great experience and provide another entertainment/convention venue.”

For what? The MLS? That stadium only needs to seat 35,000… The use of life of the new stadium will be over the next time a World Cup hits North America… The day of the giant rock venue show is over! Or a rare occurring event to say the least! Turner Field a “short walk” from where? You folks won’t walk from the Art Center Marta to Atlantic Station!

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STUPID IDEA!!!!!! I love going to the Georgia Dome and relaxing while I cheer on the Falcons every home game and getting a outside stadium could lose season ticket holder and most definitely lose events for the city of Atlanta such as the Monster Truck Rally, Chick-Fil-A Bowl, SEC and ACC Basketball Tournaments, Battle of the Bands, etc. THAT’S A VERY DUMB IDEA

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Just checked out the master plan. That is a long ass walk if you ride MARTA. A very long walk. 700,000,000 for an open air stadium? I thought that they only cost like 300-450 million.

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Shrink the stadium so you can charge more for tickets. Put it outside so you can charge more for suites that allow people to escape the elements. Who is getting it in the end here?

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Another reason this plan stinks. I will promise there will be no more tailgating area than the old one..meaning unless you want to mingle with the homeless and the criminals, you have to take Marta. That is a huge hassle now when you leave as 60000 people try to cram down one tunnel..now this new stadium will add a half a mile walk??? whaaaat? Are we going to repeat the idiot decision of placing the Braves stadium too far from Marta?

This plan stinks.

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I have been to many retractable roof stadiums and the retractable roof stadiums are like auto T-tops and will go the way of the old circular multi-purpose stadiums. Phoenix probably has the best stadium of this type, and needs it because of the climate, but you never feel like you are at an outdoor event in one of those buildings, adn the future maintenance cost on those things will be enormous. Better to go all outdoor or all dome.

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Hey, I got an idea…. Let’s move the football stadium farther away from the only public transportation subway that Atlanta has, take the roof off of it, and then force thousands of football fans to sit out in either horribly hot or frigid cold temperatures, rain or snow (depending on the time of year), and lose any opportunity that our city has to ever host a Super Bowl in the future, since you can’t put a roof over an open-air stadium.

Meanwhile, a beautiful domed stadium, already standing, could be renovated, given a retractable roof, have major enhancements to it to allow for the suite revenues that Blank is looking for, and save a lot of money, particularly tax-payer money. But, then again, that’s probably not the most logical option to millionaires who don’t have to worry about putting food on the table, and who’s only interest in going to a football game is so they can be seen and not be a fan.

I’m just saying….

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It is going to come down to how well the Falcons produce within the next few years….*IF* an open air stadium is built and the Falcons haven’t won a superbowl by than, then the Fans will NOT show up, if the Falcons are successful, then an open air stadium will not divide the fanbase(at least not by much)…its as simple as that.

Personally, I believe(also) that Football should be played in the elements, especially in a fairly decent football weather city… Some aren’t going to agree, that’s why we have blogs to discuss these things, I remember football at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium and to all of the people who have said that they have had horrible (weather) experiences at the stadium, you are correct; however, that’s everywhere! That is part of what makes Football fun!! The ELEMENTS!!! Not to mention the fact that the Falcons shared that stadium with the Braves, a team that we go and spend money on to sit in those blazing hot summer conditions in the A-town, so what’s the big deal?

And while on that topic, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium had features that were designed to accommodate Baseball in several aspects and it wasn’t the best place to watch Football, with a new, or retractable roof (preferred) the Falcons and other Football events will be more accommodating for the fans than Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium was…..

Areas outside the city would be good, but think about the traffic withini communities, along the underdeveloped highways, etc. True, its like that now in some cases and its like that down in Hampton for the Nascar events, but public transportation is the key and it would be easier to accommodate fans without as many traffic tie-ups. I do however agree that there needs to be more tailgating space (a lot more) for fans.

In conclusion, in this State that is dominated by college football, we pay big bucks and travel far to attend college games that are played outdoors….in the ELEMENTS!!!! Why not for a Sunday afternoon Falcon game? The only difference is the day that it is played on….

People, this isn’t a basketball game, let’s all grow some n^ts and deal with the elements and (perhaps the high price it brings..lol )

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$700 million is pocket change for a big time, state of the art stadium. Atlanta can easily afford this. Jerry Jones stadium cost a billion so Atlanta would be getting a good deal. The city can raise all this cash by issuing bonds, raising taxes on restaurants and hotels, car rental, etc. It can be paid for in 10 years easy. The city needs to pay up if they want to keep the falcons. Blank can take the team to a bunch of cities that want a franchise.

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I have had season tickets for 13 years to the Falcons and if they build an open air stadium I will not renew my ticktes. To hot in the summer and to cold, to rainy in the winter. The dome sold out is the best.

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Sad. Horrible parking plan. I love the Dome except for the parking and traffic. So now we have a new plan that doesnt even begin to address those shortcomings, plus may not be as good as the Dome.

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I’m assuming with this much work already put into it, it’s a done deal.

MARTA (or lack thereof) is the one major red flag. I wonder how many folks currently take MARTA to the games, and how many still would once a one-mile walk becomes part of the journey. And then, how many additional, yet non-existent, parking spaces will be required.

I say it should be illegal to build something like this without direct, mass transit.

Oh well, I suppose Atlanta will never learn and will keep doing the same dumbsh*t over and over again.

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They can all do whatever they want, as long as the taxpayers don’t have to pay a dime for it.

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Apparently the Falcons are not considering Matt Ryan in their future plans. Heck, the guy already has a hard time throwing indoors. Can you imagine him trying to throw the ball against any type of outdoor climate. Yikes.

Arthur Blank is such an idiot! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Falcons will NEVER win a SB because Blank is too concern with his image. He should channel his energies towards bringing in a better a GM or top tier players to win.
Personally, I wish he would move the team out of the state so we can get an owner in here that has the football knowledge, confidence and savvy to build a winning organization. Its been 12 years running and Arthur has yet to win a conference title, but he wants the stars , the moon and a new stadium, before winning a superbowl . Go figure

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I worry about all the crackheads that will be displaced from Ivan Allen Blvd because of this project

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forget the Superbowl. The NFL used to want an indoor stadium for the Superbowl. That is no reason to make a bad choice.

Doraville – please please reconsider!

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ATLol
February 22nd, 2011
8:22 pm
“Doraville – please please reconsider!”

That land in Doraville is off the market and it can’t get DOT approval anyway!

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I too will no longer order season tickets in an outside stadium. I experienced the snow, the rain, the lightning at the old Fulton County stadium. I swore I would never pay to be miserable again. Although the playoff game made me pretty miserable. I would dare say 90% of the posters on this site that want an outdoor stadium do not have season tickets or maybe do not attend any games. I for one want Mr. Blank to poll his season ticket holders. Indoors out out and let us decide. We carry the freight anyhow. How about a vote of season ticket holders. I understand the outdoor stadium idea was McKay’s anyhow. He needs to go. He serves no useful purpose. If he likes the outdoors, go back to Tampa where he came from. LETS HEAR IT SEASON TICKET HOLDERS. A VOTE IS THE WAY TO DO IT.

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All roads lead to Atlanta. Building a stadium at spaghetti junction is a dumb idea.

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I love football and I love the Falcons. But with teachers being furloughed, Hope scholarships being cut drastically, and pre-K being cut back, this is idiotic. The state of Georgia needs to get its priorities in order. If the Falcons want a new stadium, Arthur Blank can build it.

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This makes my blood boil!

Wait a second, I have no opinion on this.

False alarm. Carry on.

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$700 million outdoor stadium, 1 mile from marta, with bad weather? I wouldn’t even consider going to any games. But, rich developers will get millions in taxpayer money from land deals, contracts, etc. to build it anyway. Atl taxpayers will pay 100%, blank keeps 100% of the revenues!!!!!!!!! Nice.

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What a waste of money! With so many people out of work, families struggling, the HOPE grant in jeopardy, the state of Georgia in the shape it’s in…this money could go a long way.

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Come on Authur, the economy is in the trenches! The City needs more Police, Firefighters, Teachers, and better educational facilities. Last Falcons game I went to my car was broken into by some Thug knocking out a window. Called 911 then was directed to a 800 number to leave a Police report. APD did not have enough of officers to do a onsight report. No one loves football more than I do, but spending any money on a new stadium would be wrong when the city has so many other needs.

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Our current stadium seems to be in fine working order AND accessible by public transit to boot. Why exactly do we need a new one?

How about we put some of that stadium money into our education system?

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Maybe Arthur should sell the Falcons to Bernie since Bernie appears to be the only Home Depot founder with the means and know how to build something himself.

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Sorry, but this Falcon season ticket holder is not going to pay a PSL and then pay for season tickets for any new stadium. I can almost guarantee that PSL’s will be used to defray the cost of the stadium.
And after the FIASCO in Arlington what do you think will happen when a freezing rain and ice storm hits Atlanta during a game in december or on the last game of the regular season in the middle of january (18 game season will be in effect then). Also remember what happened to the Carolina season ticket holders that could not afford playoff tickets against Arizona. They lost their seats for the next year. They also lost their PSL money.

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I don’t even like to watch a game played in the rain, snow, or windy conditions on TV.

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Retractable Dome on the current stadium. NO NEW STADIUM. We can’t afford it. If the steal more of our money for it–at least put it north of the perimeter so the people who go to the games don’t have so far to drive.

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Falcons need a new team!

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Saying football is meant to be played outdoors, is like saying that mankind, is meant to live outdoors.

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Why do they need an open air stadium. If there are really bad rain storms, they have to cancel the games. In the summer it’s going to be hot. In the 90’s most days. They should just remodel the old stadium. The whole point of a dome is not to cancel games.

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I’ve been a season ticket holder for six yes but no more when I may have to sit in the rain

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I am reminded of the TV cell phone add when the cell phone addict drops his phone into a uninal — while using it — and quickly sticks his hand in to retrieve it . . . . .Really???? Really????? It’s about that bad isn’t it? There is nothing else this city, this region, this state . . . needs more than a new outdoor stadium? Can’t think of a thing? Call their damned bluff. Be the first city, county, region, state to do that. Start a trend. It might catch on. Or, here’s a novel idea, do it for a share of the profits. For the same type a share a private lender, partner, or financier would demand. Oops. There goes the NFL business model that keeps them all the owners billionaires and all the players millionaires. No free stadium??? What are you, a communist? Cities, counties, states, the Feds are all flat busted broke – and we need a new stadium to replace one with years and years of useful life left ???? Are we living in an insane asylum. Call their bluff. Let them leave. How many minutes before someon else will want the Atlanta market and to set up shop in the Georgia Dome. Five minutes. Ten minutes? The NFL will never do it, because they are afraid that if someone does — it might start a trend of no more free stadiums costing hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars that they can get tired of and leave in a few short years — unless they get more. And think about this. The Super Bowl has not been back since 2000. The NFL was displeased. Seems there was an ice storm the morning of the game that kept the Georgia Dome from filling up completely with fans before game time. Now they want to put the whole damned thing outside???? Is this the Twilight Zone? Seems like it.

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$700 million on a stadium that Atlanta area “fans” can flee during the third quarter of playoff games? This plan has my official endorsement.

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SUPERBOWL… WHAT A JOKE….

I’m going to keep it real… The GA DOME is not the reason why Atlanta didn’t get the superbowl. The weather in Atlanta isn’t the reason we didn’t get the superbowl..

ATLANTA didn’t get the superbowl because the NFL owners didn’t like Aurther Blank… The owners didn’t like AB because he was a business man and not a business man with football knowledge. AB really pissed them off when he was rolling MV on the field after he broke his leg… So the owners black balled AB in the voting of the superbowl… So just because we get a new stadium, it doesn’t mean were an automatic vote for a super bowl…

An open air stadium with reduced seating will increase the ticket price and the die hard fans will not be able to afford a ticket…LEAVE THE FALCONS IN THE GA DOME… NEW STADIUM = 1 LESS STH

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captguitarman
February 22nd, 2011
11:50 pm
“Be the first city, county, region, state to do that. Start a trend. It might catch on. Or, here’s a novel idea, do it for a share of the profits. For the same type a share a private lender, partner, or financier would demand. ”

Sorry, San Diego, San Francisco, and Oakland did that 30 years… You guys come on here and call them “socialists.” They told the NFL to either finance it or take a walk… They wanted to see the books and Al Davis and Rozelle scoffed… When Rankin Smith did that, the State of Georgia folded like a card table!!!

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so we should spend $700m to build a stadium to replace one that hasn’t even been paid for ??? let Artie and his pals spends there own money if they want one. reckon we would build Coca-Cola a new headquarters is they threatened to leave without it?? don’t think so and they certainly are more valuable to Atl the the Falcons!!

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Football is SUPPOSED to be played outside, on grass. You wannabe fans that say you are too delicate to sit outside, should just stay home anyway. You are wimps and wouldn’t know real football if Matt Ryan hit you in the face with one, however I would howl with laughter if I saw that happen.

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NO, NO, NO. Let the millionaires and the corrupt politicians have bake sales to raise the money. No more taxpayer money for bread and circuses. This country is finished.

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cancelled with rain, snow?

Seriously? Do you guys watch half the games in December and January?

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Most new stadiums have a retractable roof. Why abandon this idea? Even the damn Marlins that NOBODY GOES TO SEE gets a retractable with their NEW stadium.
Arthur continues to be shortsided on this issue.
Oh yeah, great location.

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The dome is fine, we do not need another government funded white elephant. The Super Bowl be damned, if this is such a great idea then investors should be flocking in to build this thing. No more wasteful spending.

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Falcon Fans = WIMPS

You anin’t speaking about this Falcon Fan. I want them to play outside, like God intended.

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Hey DLed,
Didn’t you come from Green Bay?

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You wimps are almost as bad as boring braves fans. They come to snore at the ted. Most wonder if they even have a pulse.
Stay home and watch it you little babies.

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Arthur can build whatever he wants, as long as he pays for it himself.

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Talking about building a new stadium in this economy – and what it looks like down the road – is delusional. Maybe his old buddy and partner Bernie Marcus will arrange for some of the revenues from his new dolphin show at the aquarium to go to help Arthur fund his fantasy. LOL

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Toooo Funny. The Falcons want a new stadium. Did it ever occur to them that their fans want a Super Bowl Championship. Ya don’t always get what you want

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Terrible Idea. Parking and traffic will be worse since it’s not attached to a MARTA station. The PSLs will drive up ticket prices. There are only 2 or 3 games a year max that would be enjoyable outdoors. The economic impact of hosting a superbowl, while significant, is overvalued. The only positive would be getting another bowl game.

I’m 90% certain I’d give up my season tickets if they built a new stadium.

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I don’t like the fact that the state is cutting the HOPE scholarships. It has been one of the bright spots in our state government for years.

I like even less the idea of an open air stadium. One of the most miserable afternoons of my life was sitting in the stadium watching the Falcons play the Vikings in the rain at 30 degrees at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. Most of the people I know who are talking about we want an open air stadium are people who go to 1 or 2 games, if that, a year and holler about how they would like the stadium to be open air. I can only think of one team that went to a dome stadium to an open air stadium and that is Seattle. I would be curious to see a poll of Seattle season ticket holders on how they like sitting in the “open air” now.

PEOPLE, if you really want to stop this madness, you won’t get Blank to take notice of your displeasure writing on blogs. YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT TO HIM. Start a write-in campaign to the Falcons asking to NOT build an open air stadium. It is the only way “we” will be taken seriously. Think about this winter and how much you would have liked sitting in an open air stadium watching the Falcons.

If you don’t express your voice in a manner where it will really be heard, you will get what you don’t want and listen to the people who watch the game on television talk about how great it is that the team plays outdoors now.

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I love the Dome why won’t they do a retractable roof? I would like that better.

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Another classic case of government wasting money. The money used for the new stadium could go to the Hope grants. The Georgia dome is not even 20 years old is it. How is it that the Super Dome in New Orleans can get upgrade after upgrade and be useful but here we need a new stadium? Wasteful and a shame! If the NFL does not want give Atlanta a SuperBowl then screw them. Grown people need to get their priorities straight. It is a shame that neither political party is taking a stand against this waste. The USA is going to hell in a hand basket over waste like this.

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DLed “Add another $300 million for a retractable roof and you’re at $1 billion. Also, they don’t work. Teams end up with them closed all the time for football to create artificial noise. (Falcons’ playoff game vs. Arizona after the 2008 season. It was 70 degrees outside.)”

If other teams have figured out that dome is the way to go for either weather concerns or artificial noise, why is it again we want an open air stadium?

I really think Arthur is missing the boat on this one.

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I’ll let you all continue the open air debate, but here is my issue…
There isnt near enough parking as it is. Tailgating atmosphere is awful unless you were able to sell your firstborn and get an orange pass. Read the document and look at the maps carefully, they say that parking spots will increase, BUT that most of them will require a 20 minute walk to the stadium. I am thankfully able-bodied and can walk 20 minutes if I need to… I just dont want to. Everyone always makes comments about how Falcon fans aren’t in the Dome early enough. Give us a 20 minute walk, that will fix it.
Also, the proposed site is now a 20 minute walk from MARTA, instead of the 1 minute walk that it is now. It is no great pleasure to ride MARTA, but I do it quite a bit because it is CONVENIENT and it eliminates the ole drinking and driving.
With the Braves you cant take MARTA buyt at least you can park. If this goes through as is, for the Falcons you wont be able to park or ride MARTA. Might as well build the stadium in the infield of Talladega.

Please either leave things the way they are or move it to the northside perimiter and put some parking spots around it. Anything but this.

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Um, did that article say “how much the state will pay”? Cause why should we the taxpayers be on the hook for the Falcons wanting a new stadium. You want it, build it your dang self.

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See, all of the WEAK Alantanians that THINK they are football fans want to be coddled in a warm muffin dome.
OK – Stay home, where mommy can wipe you widdle cheeky, and leave football to the MEN who play it. You weak posers are better suited for powder puff anyway.

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Dome advantage????? Yeah, that brought you a title, didn’t it crybabies.
If you had stopped stuffing quiche in your flabby faces long enough to notice, BOTH teams that played for a championship this year play outside…in MUCH harsher weather than weenie Atlanta. They were sold out to the gills too, you WEAK, PATHETIC wannabes. Leave the NFL to real football players and fans…just go get under your warm blanky.

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Its too hot to sit in the sun in September.

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It would be a better use of tax payer dollars to renovate the GA Dome and add a retractable roof. Both ideas – New Stadium and renovation of GA dome would create jobs….so it’s a plus in that respect,but with cuts in state funding this year and years to come I think tax payer dollars could be better spent on programs that are vital to the cities,communities and counties.

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NO! NO! NO! Let the players and owners pay for it if they want a new place to play. No govt. money or land discounts or tax breaks. Not one dime of tax payer money should go to a private sports team. Not one.

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the falcons choke in the dome all the time. Maybe in the playoffs, with rain and 30 degree weather, they can finally get a win.

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Bonds extended again from 2020 to 2050.

SMH.

of all the things to spend public money on….

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I am the Atlanta fan. I want it not to be too cold and not too hot, just right for me. Not too windy either, because that could get uncomfortable and totally ruin my Mall-like football experience. I do not want any “dead air”. I need Toyota commercials blasting at 115db in between all stoppage of play. I must also be abel to solve the ball under the helmet game, so make sure that one gets repeated over and over. If you get to sit on my row, be prepared for me to come in mid-first quarter and for me to get up about 15 times during the game in order to buy Nachos and hot dogs. Don’t worry, I’ll be gone 2 minutes into the fourth quarter.

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When the Buttphuck Falcons can behave like a pro football team and not a group of criminals and thugs then a new stadium. Until then Phuck the Falcons.

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The falcons are a team chock full of lowdown, lazy, stupid, dullards and drug addicts. Most have a criminal record and should be behind bars.

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First, I think a new stadium is a waste of money at this time. I also can’t believe they will not consider a retractable roof. I remember how miserable the old Fulton County Stadium was for the Falcons games during not only in the September heat and humidity and December cold winds. I think the NFL will not reward Atlanta with a Super Bowl because of the two ice storms during the last ones we hosted. I think the NFL even noted the previous ice storms as a reason for Atlanta was being passed over from at least one of the previous Super Bowl bids.

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Jeffery Wrote: “I remember how miserable the old Fulton County Stadium was for the Falcons games during not only in the September heat and humidity and December cold winds.”

Now, those are the words of a true mangina posing as a football fan.

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I am now going to boycott all Braves games because they’re played in the summer and it’s over 72 degrees outside.

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Never been to a Falcons game at the Dome so it’s a whole new place not to go.

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Your government in action. All the conservatives b*tch about socialism, but I’m sure they support the new stadium for AB (heck, they are the only ones who can afford the tickets). Building stadiums at taxpayer expense for the benefit of millionare owners is a prime example of socialism – tax the poor to pay for it and let the rich get a new building, and I’m sure parking, concession and naming fees. Love the Falcons and pro football for Atlanta, but not when we have to pay for it through our taxes and then can’t afford a ticket to the game.

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Will tens of thousands of Georgia and Georgia Tech fans threaten to give up their season tickets, demanding that the schools build domed stadiums?

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This is a project that makes no sense for any GA taxpayer other than Arthur Blank but it is on a path to get done and it is a huge mismanagement of government resources. This is not a football issue but a taxpayer issue. In bad economic times, it is not prudent to spend like a drunken sailor (no offense intended to drunken sailors). Will Atlanta get the Super Bowl if we build, yes, absolutely since that is the carrot the NFL holds out to cities to overspend taxpayer dollars for its team owner’s benefit. But, as any good economist will tell you, who cares? The Super Bowl is not some great economic engine. Bottom line is that the current stadium is fine and not too old. If Arthur would like a new stadium, he is welcome, like anyone else, to spend his own funds and those willing to loan him money to build this building. He will control it and get all the revenues from it. This is capitalism. Having government tax revenues pay anything better be a great deal for the government and this just isn’t a good taxpayer deal. Building large beautiful building for the same purpose every 20 years or so is a huge waste of resources. These buildings are made to last much longer and should be allowed to last for them to make economic sense. Can someone in power please shut down the negotiations by shutting off any taps to government funds or borrowing power? Please.

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Nothing will improve in Atlanta because the leadership is recycled from election to election. Residents can’t park downtown for being booted. I’m sure those companies are seeing dollar signs all over this idea.

Crime is out of control, and the city is making million dollar payouts because of police incompetence. Atlanta is a hellhole and always will be.

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I think they are wrong about the open stadium but what do the fans know they will be in there heated and dry press box I been a season ticket holder for years but it will come to the end in 2017.

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Hilarious Video on Sunday Alcohol Drinking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TOM_UuQzc0

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JohninAtlanta, I love the MLS, but that stadium as designed is a black hole for anything anything other a World Cup game or a international friendly… And those can be played in the GA Dome. They are not going to play a Cup final here! Atlanta needs a 40,000 seat multi use for futbol and other athletics… There is nothing of any consequence between Cincinnati and Orlando to meet that need. I can not for the life understand why they did not look at the Herndon Stadium corridor to Northside to make a new stadium site… It is Marta adjacent!!!

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I want people to know there are fans out there that want an open air stadium. It’s funny, but I want to watch NFL in the elements, blazing heat or ice, and yet for the SEC Championship and Bowl Games I prefer the idea of a dome.

While MLS is intriguing, i like that the new stadium would be good enough for FIFA so the US could host the World Cup.

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Blank never had a seat in the old stadium in the hot sun,sleet or rain.No taxpayers money,let the losers go!

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@ Falcon Fans = WIMPS

I would like to say that the Packers played all of their playoff games on the road. Not that they wouldn’t have sold out anyways. The Packers and Steelers have the mosted seasons with sellouts in the NFL. Your point just doesn’t fit here. The Packers were a hot team that won inside and outside.

I am a fan of the open air stadium, just felt like mentioning that point. I think the Falcons loss to the Packers had more to do with composure than being soft from being a dome team.

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How many people go to UGA games outside in the heat? You are all a bunch of babies. Now the taxpayers money…. that’s something to discuss. But stop whining. We live in the South because we prefer 8 months of heat to 8 months of cold. Drink water, use sunblock, and SHUT UP! Conversely, drink whiskey, dress warm and SHUT UP!

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I didn’t mean to get on a RANT! But I was trying to get a point across. I could take it either way, outdoor or indoor stadium! Which one makes sense? I think this is a no-brainer for anyone with common sense!!! An indoor stadium with a retractable roof is the way to go!!!

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And for the last time time about FIFA, this stadium will be at the end of its use by the time another North America World Cup comes along… Paris or London will 2026, then it is back to Asia or Australia for 2030… You think that stadium is still going to be a relevant selling point then?

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@ James

Where are your seats? I might be interested in taking them off of your hands. Open Air stadium or Dome.

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James I’m a season tix holder of 21 years and yes I want an outside stadium..

I love going to away games and sitting outside and watching my falcons play..

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Latino, the Indoor rule no longer exists. The USA cup in 90 and the Korea/Japan Cup were played using indoor domed cup venues… You have to natural grass and “they” prefer outdoor sites. No dome will be used for a Cup Final

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I’ve been a season ticket holder for 11 years. If an outdoor stadium is built w/o a retractable roof, please dont renew me and the other seven tickets my family buys every year. It seems like Mr. Blank is catering to a certain clientele so let them pony up the money and sit out in the rain.

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Atlanta has a fully functional NFL stadium that also serves multiple duties successfully hosting other events.

However, if the Falcon’s want another, then they and the NFL can fund 100% of the construction themselves. Absolutely no burden to the taxpayers of GA … whether obvious and direct or in embedded taxes when we stay in hotels, or take taxis, or eat at restaurants, etc.

Billionaire owners and millionaire players bickering over how to divy up $9billion dollars in revenue and then the NFL trying to strong arm a city into building a new stadium for the possible 1 time privileged of hosting a Superbowl …

Don’t do me any favors.

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I agree that the Falcons should have a new stadium if they want one. But they should also have to pay for it (building and upkeep). The taxpayers SHOULD NOT be require to foot ANY of the bill!!!

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I don’t want to pay for it…it’s too hot. No it’s too cold…I might have to walk….i can’t see enough replays….wahhhhhhh.

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I love the Falcons. I’ve beena fan as long as I can remember & have had season tix for quite a few years. I don’t mind the open air stadium idea. I like a retractable roof better but open air is fine. That being said…with our lazy, easily distracted fan base – you know…the ones that can’t make it to the game on time, the “fans” that cut & run at the first sign of adversity, quibble over roster changes, demand outrageous free agent signings and criticize the minutia of team & the organization before, on & after game day. Those folks? Yeah. They’re gonna but tickets to sit in the heat/rain/cold. Sure they are.

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JSS

I mean the World Cup is really something that may or may not happen. I would be nice to have a stadium with a retractable roof or open air to help convince them, but I’m not really interested in doing all of this to just to maybe host one pool of games at a World Cup.

Even as a fan of having an open air stadium, I have a hard time justifying spending tax dollars on it. I do think a stadium like Qwest Field in Seattle would be cool. open-air but 70% of the seats are covered.

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The argument should be whether or not football is supposed to be played indoors or outdoors. The issue is that the Falcons have a home that is more than adequate. If they currently had an decent outdoor stadium and they were proposing a Dome, the same lunacy would be in place. I see stadiums in Jacksonville, Nashville, and other cities still idle during the offseason. The Dome is used over 250+ days a year and it functions fine hosting all sorts of different events. So it can’t host soccer? Is soccer really a good reason to build a $700,000,000 stadium? Hell no!

Sorry I am really opinionated on this subject. Keep the Dome.

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I don’t know of any College or University that gets taxpayer money to build a football stadium – why should the NFL get a taxpayer subsidy ??

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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!!!

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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.

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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.

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Winning sells tickets, not comfort.

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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.

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I’m also tired of Hope scholarship whinners about losing their entitlements Fix the system or lose it all when it goes broke.

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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!

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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??

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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?

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$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.

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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.

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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!!!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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Arthur Blank & the Falcons are holding the City of Atlanta hostage over the new stadium. Just as many other pro franchise owners have threatened to move their team if they don’t get a new stadium, the Blank train is doing the same. Why not take the money needed for the stadium & put it to work on infrastructure improvements? This makes too much sense so it won’t happen. Go ahead Atlanta, cave to the wants of a millionaire owner.

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D Led: about the TV blackouts. I am hearing that if the NFL goes into a lockout next week and games are not played the NFL still gets paid from the TV networks. Is this true???? If it is then how can Goodell say that the NFL makes no money on teams that do not sell out their home games? This is in direct conflict with what is going to happen if there are no games this year.

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If the Falcons and its ownership want, and I say want, a new stadium, they should fully foot the bill with NO public section funds. If you want a new house, do you expect the government to offset the cost of your house? End of story.

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Gator Guy, you are truly an intellectual giant. Ever hear of a personal preference or opinion? Good thing this is an anonymous forum.

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A new stadium for the Falcons? LOL, you have to be kidding.

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It didn’t work before.. Why would it work now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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A new stadium is the absolute last thing the Falcons need right now. The heck with what Goodell says.

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It would be awesome! I just don’t want a penny of public money to go into it.

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morons,
A stadium out of downtown, really? 1st, do you for one second think the peach bowl, final four, SEC Championship, Super Bowl or any other high profile event wants to be or will be hosted in Doraville?? Why don’t we just give our events to Tampa and Charlotte? 2nd, when the world has its eyes on ATL during these events even with all the problems downtown has, would you want the world to associate our city with the sights of Doraville, perhaps the brandmart USA or the bustling city and one of the best skylines in the country? Now the best scenario would be a site near MARTA in midtown but there just isn’t enough land.

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The Republicans in the state house can pay for this if they want.

Oh, but if you do, don’t ever again give me this “fiscal responsibility” stuff — you forfeit any right to cut teacher salaries or screw over students or eliminate scholarships or pull anything else to “balance the budget.” (You also forfeit, for that matter, any right to raise my taxes — though you can tax the rich more if you want. It seems only fair if you’re giving them free stadiums.)

If you’re going to blow this much money on a stadium — knowing full well that the economic benefit from this sort of thing is always non-existent — then don’t ever again get to talk to me about budget cuts or fiscal sanity or anything else. If you don’t have money to pay for basic services and the next generation’s education, THEN YOU DON’T HAVE MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS. If you have money to pay for this, then you have money to pay for education.

Now, if Blank can pay for it, great. But we shouldn’t.

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By the way, the people saying that this isn’t really public money because the Georgia Dome was funded by hotel/motel taxes…huh? Those taxes could have been used for something else, you know. Money…it’s fungible. A dollar saved on one thing can be spent on something else.

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