What should be done with Georgia Dome?
The future of the Georgia Dome — and whether the Atlanta Falcons continue to nest there — is up in the air, so to speak.
The Georgia World Congress Center Authority, the state organization that oversees the football arena, agreed Tuesday to pay the Kansas City architecture firm, Populous, $145,000 to propose a master plan for the Dome, reports AJC staffer Leon Stafford.
Dan Graveline, executive director of the Georgia World Congress Center, said the Populous study would look at the merits of renovating the current Dome or building a new stadium.
The study will take into consideration building a new dome, an open-air arena or having a retractable roof, Stafford writes. It also will look at the cost of gutting the current building and starting over.
The decision could affect whether Falcons owner Arthur Blank decides to keep the team downtown or look to the burbs.
What do you think should happen to the Dome? How much public money should be spent?
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97 comments Add your comment
JJ
October 28th, 2009
12:27 pm
Yeah? What’s wrong with it now? And I hate it when taxpayers foot the bill, while some guy makes millions? I hardly go there anyways. Maybe once a year. Maybe ask this question in 10 years, but right now it seems just fine.
Trix are for rabbits
October 28th, 2009
12:29 pm
Steve …. the Chick-fil-A Bowl, SEC Football Championship, First Robotics, rotating SEC/ACC basketball tournaments and all the other non-Falcons activities aren’t going anywhere. New Falcons field or not, those folks will return to downtown where there are hotels, an adjoining convention center for fanfest and entertainment for fans.
The idea of investing, say, $500 million in a completely renovated facility WITH redevelopment in and around the Dome is appealing.
If a new stadium is in order in say 2020 or 2025, the idea of locating it near Turner Field is great. It’s downtown. Lots of parking. Good accessibility. Adding a much needed Marta spur is brilliant. And, maybe that revitalization we were going to get in the Summerhill area will finally happen.
A couple of notes. The color scheme at the Dome has changed. It’s no longer magenta. The Falcons paid for the majority of the improvements (new paint job, Club level renovations) with a short term payback coming from increased club seat/suite revenues and a hike in cost of regular season tickets — the state did not pay for those improvements.
Safe in the suburbs
October 28th, 2009
12:30 pm
I like my shopping centers and movie theaters and clean schools and MY SUV. It’s safe and gas is cheap again. Don’t worry, I never go downtown with my family. It scares my wife. If Mr Blanks wants me 2 go to a game, he beter bring the game 2 me! No thugs where I live.
Betsy
October 28th, 2009
12:30 pm
Fix what needs to be fixed, enhance what needs to be enhanced, based on REAL need. Renovation is always cheaper than building from scratch. We tore down the baseball stadium and the Omni and replaced them with megabucks structures. I agree with those who say it isn’t time for the Dome to be replaced. Maybe in another 100 years. Quit tearing down. It’s just a big $$$$ boondoggle for somebody. We don’t want to pay for it.
DJ
October 28th, 2009
12:31 pm
Move all the games to Sanford Stadium .. outdoors on grass and better tailgating.
coachx
October 28th, 2009
12:33 pm
“c) expands the playing field size to more comfortably accommodate World Cup soccer giving us a chance to field an MSL team,”
That is a awful idea. It makes the seast farther away for American Football.
Build it for the best views for football and forget about soccer.
They can host 1 soccer game a year but the place is built for football and don’t forget it !
Ted
October 28th, 2009
12:36 pm
A retractable roof would be a vast improvement, although the Falcons should pay for it.
coachx
October 28th, 2009
12:38 pm
For the people who live in Atlanta and enjoy walking to a grocery store, museum, or drug store.
How safe do you honestly feel when doing that ? Are you married with kids or single ? Do you fee safe with your kids running around in the streets of down town Atlanta.
How do you feel about Atlanta insane property taxes that goes towards the corruption Atlanta is so known for.
Wake up and see reality !
I will be out here in the burbs where I can leave my front door open, have cheap property taxes, little to no government intrusion, no bums, and can let my kids ride their bikes all over town without any fear.
You tell me which is the better life ?
shadow 7071
October 28th, 2009
12:38 pm
Let’s see, unemployment in ATL has surged to 10.5% (and it could be greater) and at the top of the agenda this week is “What are going to do with our ball field?”. Can anyone in this town spell P-R-I-O-R-I-T-I-E-S? One would think that the number one priority would be figuring out how to get folks back to work. Now before the ardent Dome Defenders set in, yes I know that the Dome brings in revenue. But getting a couple hundred thousand people back to work also brings in revenue. More revenue than the Dome. My point is this, we’re in a major economic crisis and we’re worrying about where the football is going to play on Sunday.
Mom of 3
October 28th, 2009
12:38 pm
Wherever they build it, just make sure it is not served by Marta because thats where all the problems come from.
Chris
October 28th, 2009
12:40 pm
Leave the Dome alone for now and work on making it a better atmosphere. How about not having to tailgate in a 3rd party parking lot three blocks away? Do THAT first, then worry about the Dome and rebuilding it on the same spot later. That seems to make the most sense.
Or, if it would get Marta to Turner, build it near there.
Wanda
October 28th, 2009
12:43 pm
OMG! LEAVE IT LIKE IT IS. THEY WOULD PROBABLY END UP RAISING THE PRICES OF THE SEATS. THEY ARE ALREADY TO HIGH.
Summerhill, Peoplestown, Mechanicsville
October 28th, 2009
12:43 pm
Imagine a Marta spur that runs south to Turner Field, a NEW Falcon Stadium and the Beltline. Land is cheap, displacement is minimal, and you have easy access to I-20 and 75/85.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a game day experience with pubs and stores open year round? Georgia Avenue has the best available store fronts in the city and is waiting to be the next Highlands. The skyline views are incredible and with development will come the public safety everyone’s requesting.
hrw
October 28th, 2009
12:44 pm
The Georgia Dome…what should be done? First, this economy has taken a toll on consumer spending; realizing that people are not paying for all of the exspensive things. Georgia might be consider for high schools colleges or big cities events. Problems with homelessness, beggars etc., this might bring in some type of city fundings. Ticket prices, food, seating has taken a deep toll on people attending and mostly, everything is located right next to one and other. Parking has been a nightmare and crimes has also been another problem why people don’t want to come to the Dome. Consumers are not willing to pay big prices anymore for things that the city needs to taking care of. The Dome can be rented for future concerts and other activities that takes a bigger place. Face it, the long haul about finance being paid by the consumer is not there anymore, and there is not a reason to come to the Dome when you can stay home and watch the games on TV, Big Sreens that is. Unless something give with the big prices for food, tickets, etc., there will be no need to have a new Dome or even considering it. No more bleeding the consumer for what you think that you can have big income to pay for whatever planning you are preplanning. The city and consumer spending is just not there any longer. I have seen the Texas new Dome….it is a sight to see and people get their money worth because Texas draws in its fans ensuring they are charged a decent price for food, parking and tickets. Plus, whatever the fans get in Texas….everything there is big! Fans enjoy going to see the Dallas Cowboys. The money they pay is worth it! Georgia Dome only give less for the bucks that it fans spend…enough is enough. To plan a new Dome, you have know how to draw your fans in and not starve or bleed them to death. Making changes in how business is conducted among the fans make’s the outlook of a new Dome exciting. Right now..I don’t think many fans or people really cares.
RFK Dreaming
October 28th, 2009
12:45 pm
Refurbish the current stadium and add a retractable roof!! I have always thought it was a shame for the Falcons to play inside on a beautiful Atlanta Fall day!
siskel_god
October 28th, 2009
12:46 pm
Let the Falcons build a new one on their own dollars? Why would they do that, the city makes so much money off the Falcons not to mention the local businesses, and Marta. So why would the Falcons build a stadium on thier own dime when the city is going to benefit as much or more than they do? Los Angeles just decided to build a new stadium with no team, they are convinced they can persuade a team to pack up and move, now what incentive does the state and city have to build a stadium without a football team? Money, HELLO!
CarpetBagger
October 28th, 2009
12:50 pm
The real question that needs to be “axed” is not what should be done to the Georgia Dome… but what should be done about Georgia schools? The passion, knowledge and outcry for UGA-Tech football, Falcons and Braves is nowhere when discussing the horrible school systems. This is misguided at best.
Delta (the airline not the unit)… I’m ready, but please don’t overfly LaGuardia while you are arguing, on the laptop, or snoozing!
Chief Wiggum
October 28th, 2009
1:02 pm
A new stadium would be GREAT as long as Arthur Blank is paying for it. There is absolutely no need to spend public money in a new stadium, considering the existing one is less than 20 years old, and the current state of the economy.
Agree with those who say the location is bad, as long as the bad neighborhoods are adjacent to the existing dome. Some of the commenters whine about our OTP rednecks, but the reality is what it is…you want strangers to come to this town, and creating that kind of hostile environment isn’t gonna cut it.
I also never understood the reason for a dome. Charlotte has a heck of a nice stadium. Cooler climate than ours, but you don’t hear them whining that they needed a closed roof. If…IF…a new stadium is built (with Arthur’s money), it should be either an open stadium, or a retractable roof. If Arthur wants to pay extra for the roof, that’s his business and money.
Jucee
October 28th, 2009
1:09 pm
Change the color on the outside; take the food prices down..HIRE PEOPLE WHO NEED TO WORK…
FalconsFan
October 28th, 2009
1:09 pm
The AJC is doing a terrible disservice to this entire story. Most of the people making comments here don’t realize the contractual issues the Falcons/Blank have with the GWCC, they don’t realize how long it actually takes to plan and build a new stadium and the biggest issue is they don’t realize how much money a new stadium or renovating the Georgia Dome would really bring the Atlanta area.
This isn’t a inside the Perimeter vs. Everyone else issue, the income the Dome currently brings impacts a large portion of the surrounding Atlanta area.
Also, being a Falcons season ticket holder and Atlanta resident I truly don’t understand some of the complaints many of you seem to have with parking and this supposed lack of safety around the Georgia Dome. I have never had a problem with parking, in fact I am usually on 75/85 within in 15-20 minutes after the game ends. If you think that’s going to happen with a new stadium with its own parking your greatly mistaken. Also having the flexibility to pay anywhere from $10-$30 to park is great, in a fully owned parking lot everyone is stuck paying the same amount.
I’m all for a new stadium, I think something funded 80-20 or 70-30 (the higher number by the Falcons) and the balance paid by investors and taxes payers makes sense. I’m also in favor in keeping it inside the Perimeter, the Redskins built FedEx field on the beltway and it’s a nightmare to get to, something NEAR 285 would be great but keeping it OFF of 285 is key, just from a logistical/traffic issue.
FalconsFan
October 28th, 2009
1:10 pm
Jucee,
Do yourself a favor and educate yourself on what the Georgia Dome currently looks like.
William Franklin
October 28th, 2009
1:11 pm
I say just take the canvas off the top of the dome, plant grass and let the Falcon’s play football outside, where football should be played. If anyone is interested I will supply the knife to cut the canvas and a bag of grass seed. That should save the state $145,000.
Fred
October 28th, 2009
1:13 pm
Atlanta to do list.
1. Spend countless amount of taxpayer money for a new facilty for sports franchise.
Atlanta Ignore List.
1. Crime
2 Unemployment
3. Traffic
4. Sewer
5. Clean Air
FalconsFan
October 28th, 2009
1:14 pm
Those worried about MLS/World Cup games, keep in mind RFK in D.C. is one of the best places in the US to watch a soccer game, it was built for baseball and football. Accommodating a soccer field isn’t that hard and or necessary when building a new stadium, soccer can find a way to be played in any condition.
FalconsFan
October 28th, 2009
1:17 pm
William,
It’s not as simple as removing the roof, the roof is part of the overall structure.
Fred,
1. Money is spent on fighting crime.
2. Building a new stadium CREATES jobs.
3. Traffic, what would you suggest spending money on?
4. Sewer, I live in Atlanta and I’ve never had an issue I don’t know anyone that has.
5. Clean air, the city of Atlanta has fine air, much better than most cities.
A Hope
October 28th, 2009
1:17 pm
Build a new outdoor stadium without question.
"The Dipper"
October 28th, 2009
1:18 pm
I am a long-time Falcons season-ticket owner. ZDawg8 got it right. However, the taxpayer is bearing enough right now and the present Dome has just been refurbished! 10 years from now would be a good time to implement the rebuilding… right where it is now… downtown!
Has anyone looked around recently? Downtown is coming back; more people are moving back into the city; and, in 10 years time, I believe we will see that downtown is the “only” place for top-flight entertainment in Atlanta! Have complaints about the city? Do your part to correct them! Use the strength of the ballot box and your volunteerism! We have a great city to save and 4 great sports teams to support!
Bill
October 28th, 2009
1:24 pm
We’ve got many other pressing issues right now, the dome is fine as it is. The only consistent complaint is the surrounding area – which I think does have some merit. The fact is however that with all of the new attractions that have opened and are slated to open downtown adjacent to the aquarium and world of coke, it’s quite likely the entire downtown area – dome and philips included – will continue to improve. Leave the dome as it is and let’s work on dealing with the crime citywide.
tim
October 28th, 2009
1:24 pm
There is nothing wrong with the dome, and Arthur Blank needs to stop telling us what WE need, cuz he really means what HE wants.
FalconsFan
October 28th, 2009
1:28 pm
Tim,
I don’t ever recall Blank saying anything about what WE need, as someone who attends events like the State of the Franchise (about the Falcons) when he refers to WE he is talking about Falcons fans and the franchise itself, he’s more than willing to pay for the cost of improvements to the Dome (already has shelled out hundreds of thousands) and he is willing to front the cost of a new stadium. Again, get your facts straight before criticizing anyone.
BUZZFAN63
October 28th, 2009
1:29 pm
Sell the stadium to Arthur Blank… Have the state take half the money and give the other half to the city of Atlanta. The state can use the money to shore up their coffers, due to the economic turndown, so they won’t have to raise our taxes!! The city of Atlanta can use part of the money to balance their books and use the rest to buy up all the blighted property on Northside and surrounding areas. After they buy up the property… build parking decks and buy shuttle buses, to carry conventioneers, fans, tourists, etc… to the Georgia Dome, Georgia Aquarium, Centenial Park, Turner Field, etc… at a reasonable rate!!! Then use the revenue from the parking decks & shuttles to pay for more policemen to keep the surrounding area free of crime and more firefighters to protect the taxpayers of Atlanta!!! SOUNDS SIMPLE DOESN”T IT!!!! Then the Falcons & Arthur Blank can do whatever improvements they want to the dome and keep all profits from the luxury boxes, concerts, NCAA basketball games, NCAA football games, etc… to finance those improvements and pay salaries to bring the elite football players to town. AGAIN… SOUND SIMPLE DOESN”T IT!!!!
Number1fan
October 28th, 2009
1:32 pm
Retractable Roof,
Andrew
October 28th, 2009
1:48 pm
Everyone is talking about what the dome an host, Whens the last time the dome has held a concert? Its all about Phillips Arena now. Its where all the BIG concerts are at now, The only the non sport wise that the dome has is the monster trucks, some battle of the bands, an a few other things. It would be nice to have a retractable roof but where do you think that money is coming from? If they replace the roof then they are going to have to change alot more things inside an outside of the dome its going to be at least 5m!
Andrew
October 28th, 2009
1:54 pm
Excuse me, What was I thinking theres no way that it would only be 5m! At least 10-15 million to do all of that!
Shirley
October 28th, 2009
3:34 pm
Poster known as “Atlanta” @ 12:27 pm
The thugz and panhandlers “patroling” downtown Atlanta are N O T “my fellow man.”
I say bomb them ALL and be done with it !!!!!!
Frankly, I could use a good laugh myself.
MF Intown
October 28th, 2009
4:41 pm
The Georgia Dome and the Georgia World Congress Center are sitting on top of where our long planned multimodal passenger terminal should be situated. If Atlanta is going to participate in a national network of high speed intercity rail and regional commuter rail, we have to have that station at the heart of the network.
So, why does all this master planning by the GWCC Authority COMPLETELY fail to take this need into account? The station concourses should be the centerpiece of whatever they do next, regardless of where exhibit halls and stadiums may wind up in their campus.
jeff
October 28th, 2009
5:39 pm
KEEP THE DOME! IT IS PERFECTLY FINE!!!! if they do end up doing renovations then the priority should be redoing the roof. thats the ONLY thing that seems to be getting old at the dome.
jeff
October 28th, 2009
5:42 pm
bomb everything inside 285? ever been to buckhead or midtown? far far nicer than the suburbs yall haters live in.
ATL
October 28th, 2009
6:23 pm
Lemme see– Wife, Kids… Love the city and living intown and feel perfectly safe–
as for the suburbs the unrelenting sameness, ugliness– its lack of walkability, horrid traffic, total unsustainabability and ridiculous short sided politics– well my main reaction is somewhere between horror and repulsion… but I guess the real truth is unless we learn to work together for a set of common METRO goals both of us will loose the battle to the rural no-nothings that seem to dominate this state’s politics…
ATL
October 28th, 2009
6:27 pm
As for the Stadium Question– I have been here long enough to remember Falcon’s games in Atlanta Fulton County Stadium… unless you enjoy being cold and wet (ie- miserable)… We better wish for a new retractable roof stadium or another dome preferably built on the bones of the recently renovated and still quite nice Ga Dome…
Safe in the suburbs
October 29th, 2009
8:32 am
Honestly, there are 2 many queers downtown. I dont want 2 have 2 explain to my son what a queer is and most of all I dont want him turning in 2 a queer or getting aids from the bathrooms at the dome
Andrew
October 29th, 2009
11:13 am
Well “Safe in the suburbs” The word “queer” might get you shot in downtown, Believe me you arnt doing your kids any good anyway as a dad if you “teach” them those words, Or they hear you say it. Your kids are gonna get their A$$ kicked if they go around saying that as well.
Bono
October 29th, 2009
11:38 am
Last concert at the Dome …. how ’bout U2 a couple of weeks ago?
Safe in the suburbs
October 29th, 2009
11:38 am
HAHAHAHA….As if some queer can beat me up. Besides, I have God on my side.
dave
October 31st, 2009
9:48 am
If it was (were?) possible, if they do anything, I’d like to see them put a retractable roof on the Dome, like Vancouver is doing at B.C. Place. Building a new stadium is just not feasible in today’s economy, and the Dome is used for things other than the Falcons and college football. As for the ITP/OTP question, land is going to be expensive wherever you go, and if you build it too far out, nobody will go. If there is a new stadium built, knock down the dome and build it there, and let the Falcons play at Tech or something. GSU could play at Hallford or Adams or even Grady) until a new place is built. Ditto for a MLS franchise, if we get one (and if Red Bull can play at Giants Stadium, Atlanta MLS could certainly play at the Dome, and get a better crowd).
ITP is the place to be!
November 2nd, 2009
3:29 am
Wow the uncultured bias of the south comes out again. Grow up children! This team is called the “Atlanta Falcons” not the “45 mins north of Atlanta Falcons.” If you can’t handle the city or even ITP don’t come into it; we’re fine without you! I’ll take the culture of Decatur, Midtown, and L5P to the same boring corporate mumbo jumbo seen in the suburbs.
All that aside a new stadium would be nice. Not necessary at this time but I’m glad to see they are looking forward. Actually a new stadium would help Atlanta make a good push for a World Cup match to be played here. But more importantly we need to be responsible.
Danny
December 20th, 2009
10:47 am
The Dome never should have been built to begin with. We do not need a dome in Atlanta and don’t give me this sissy crap about how we don’t like bad weather. Who does?!! Football was meant to be played outdoors and true football fans will come see their teams play regardless of the elements. Weather doesn’t ever seem to bother the University of Georgia fans. I personally prefer pro sports but I don’t know why the Hawks, Falcons, and to a degree even the Braves don’t just leave Atlanta. We don’t act like a big time sports city and I have never understood that.
The Falcons have never been consistent winners and I contend the humidity early in the season, etc could actually make us MORE COMPETITIVE. We need an open air stadium that seats around 80,000.