How is Falcons' stadium with no taxpayer liability a problem?

Benjamin

May 24th, 2010
12:44 am

First, unless someone beats me while I’m typing this.

A new stadium with no liability to the taxpayers is fine with me. I am not a huge fan of the Dome — or its location, for that matter — and like you, I like the thought of football played outdoors.

AintYouYou

May 24th, 2010
12:47 am

Just do the retractable roof and be done with it. That aside, the stadium is prolly going to be in Doraville.

rekingball

May 24th, 2010
1:02 am

Your point #1 says it’s about Blank making $.
Your point #4 you say it should be about the experience, not the concert promoters or NCAA making $.
Is that what they call a double standard, or somthing like that?

I agree with AintUU, just go ahead and put the retractable roof on the sucker, that is the only logical way to go.

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1:04 am

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Domes suck

May 24th, 2010
1:37 am

I hate domes. Atlanta is too nice in the fall to be playing games inside. If Green Bay can play in an outdoor stadium, no one else should be allowed to play indoors. Real fans will go to the games regardless of weather.

whatever

May 24th, 2010
1:49 am

Jeff – I fully agree: Football (as well as Baseball) is an OUTDOOR sport. I hate dome teams (Falcons not withstanding – though I really want to see them outside). I WANT to feel the temps, the rain, the snow, smell the grass, whatever is the case – it’s part of the GAME experience. And none of that carpet crap.

JTH

May 24th, 2010
1:57 am

I’m all for a outdoor stadium, because football was meant to be played in the weather. Even better if it’s not taxpayer money. So my only question is; Where they going to put a new stadium?

Dr. Warren

May 24th, 2010
2:04 am

Grant Field or Sanford Stadium on a crisp fall day in Georgia is an experience, something to remember. The Dome is just a building. Hell, fans in Foxboro have always sat outside, and that’s 1300 miles north. I get envious when I drive through cities like Baltimore and Seattle and see their football-only stadiums. We’re missing out, Atlanta. I don’t think taxpayers should pay one dime to help Blank make more money, but if tourists and Blank are going to pay, I say let’s get going on it.

scottbravesfan

May 24th, 2010
3:03 am

baseball and football are meant to be played outdoors. The Georgia Dome is fine and a good venue they should keep both the Falcons new stadium and the Dome so they can still host things like basketball tournaments and the SEC championship game,since they want an indoor venue to host that game.

Also make sure they keep the Falcons stadium in Atlanta. It’s stupid to build it 20 miles outside the city. Suburban stadiums are awful. Part of the fun of going to a game is going into the city to watch it.

TheAntiMe

May 24th, 2010
4:51 am

Somebody’s got to be rich a make tons of money. I don’t mind so much it being Arthur Blank since he not only is trying to make the Falcons a championship team but he also has demonstrated a certain resposibility to the Atlanta community.

Bottom line for Atlanta NFL fans, the more money that a person like Blank – who is willing to put the revenue back into the team instead of into his direct deposit – makes, the better chance we have of seeing a world championship come to Atlanta sometime within the next decade or so. At least, much more so than with some owners such as, say, the Atlanta Spirit Group.

TheAntiMe

May 24th, 2010
4:54 am

OK, a certain responsibility to the Atlanta community. Besides, I never claimed I could spell.

Maxx

May 24th, 2010
4:56 am

Agree with you overall, and YES

Maxx

May 24th, 2010
5:02 am

Let me clarify: I think that Football was designed to be played outdoors. I think Baseball should be played inside, merely because the games can be rained or snowed out, unlike Football. I think the Falcons should play outside, no question. Football is meant to be played in the elements, domes are for pussies

drew

May 24th, 2010
5:54 am

I’m wondering how many of these old-school “football is meant to be played outdoors” fans attended Falcons games at the old Fulton County Stadium. I recall sitting in a half empty stadium, freezing my azz off. I’ve also suffered through a few Peach Bowls there.

And yeah, REAL fans will show up regardless of the weather, but there’s the rub…there are very few “real” fans in Atlanta. Atlanta fans are about as fickle a fan base as you’ll ever see. Given the choice of sitting in a cold rain, or the comfort of their own home (or a bar), you know what they’ll choose. Even when the Dome was sold-out, there were lots of empty seats at Falcons games. Throw the bad weather factor into the mix, and the no shows will double. And you can call them pussies all day long, but that’s not gonna fill the seats.

But if visitors and Arthur Blank are gonna foot the bill, let’s go for it. But I’d suggest you put a lid on it…a retractable one.

D B Cooper

May 24th, 2010
6:04 am

agree 100% Drew well put

D B Copper's Plane

May 24th, 2010
6:24 am

The Falcons need to be outside. It will be more like going to UGA or Tech game and I think Atlanta fans will embrace it being outside. Let the GWCC keep the dome if they want to for the other events. BTW I found this site that shows every seat in the Dome in PDF files by section http://www.SeatandRow.com

Golden Hand

May 24th, 2010
6:27 am

The stadium’s not going to be in Doraville. The traffic grid there won’t support it, and the local nimby’s won’t let it happen. It’s already been voted down by Doraville City Council, and Dekalb’s not pushing for it.

shaggy

May 24th, 2010
6:32 am

Put a winning product on the field, and the “real” fans come out of the woodwork to freeze their azz off, as exampled by Green Bay, New England, and New York. I am a “real” fan that attended games in Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, who doesn’t like going to football games in an oversized tent. Conversely, the “poser” fans can sit and watch football, a man’s game, being attended by man fans, plus some tough women too. Wimps need not apply. The game (thank God The Braves play outside) was invented outside and the weather element should be a part of the game. NO CRYING IN FOOTBALL…BY THE FANS EITHER.

Peachtree Pete

May 24th, 2010
6:33 am

Downtown is revived? As an Atlanta native, I can tell you that downtown is far from “revived.” Basically the only reason to go downtown is to go to work or to a ball game. As for putting a stadium in the ‘burbs, I agree. Bad idea. But DO NOT tell me that downtown is revived. Downtown is filthy, dangerous (check with a Ga. Tech or Ga. State student), and boring. Compare it to Baltimore, NYC, or St. Louis. We lose.

Felix the Cat

May 24th, 2010
6:35 am

as a season ticket holder…i have tailgated in some cold december (s) and January (s) ..it was nice to get in the dome and thaw out..but its only a few games mostly at the end of the year.. Rain would be the other issue..Retractable roof is very expensive but would serve many purposes…I wish a way to fund the retractable roof would get strong consideration…

Tha Real Falcon

May 24th, 2010
6:46 am

I would ask exactly how many Falcons game do you attend each year, Jeff?

norman

May 24th, 2010
6:48 am

You think attendance is poor for the falcons at the dome, just wait and see how attendance will be in an outdoor stadium. Sellouts in 95 degree temperatures with high humidity in August & September aint gonna happen regardless of win-loss record. Sellouts in December with cold freezing rain aint gonna happen. So Schultz, you and the other 15,000 max fans enjoy the game.

The Real Falcon

May 24th, 2010
6:49 am

And do you sit in a booth when you go or in the seats?

gmoney

May 24th, 2010
6:52 am

I travel all over the country and all the hotel and car rental taxes really piss me off.

Larry

May 24th, 2010
6:53 am

More than just an opinion on this topic I have been a season ticket holder and native long enough to experience both AFCS and the Dome. I can tell you after weathering the many hot, humid early season games and a few fall rain storms–just cold weather wasn’t the issue–I was thrilled to see the Dome constructed. I still enjoy it today when it’s oppressively hot or raining hard outside.

However, I also loved the perfect fall weather that compliments outdoor football and the uniform colors are much more vibrant in the bright sun. It just feels like football!

The bottom line for me is this. If Dallas, Texas can swing a state of the art facility why can’t the much more beautiful and diverse Atlanta, Georgia? I think we almost certainly can so the answer is very simple for me. Either retrofit the current Dome with a retractable roof, build a whole new facility like Dallas, or compliment the Dome with and out door stadium to play the early season games in the Dome, mid-late seasons outdoors, and and actually have the unique option of choosing one or the other based on need and circumstance. The selection of one or the other would create some fun controversy and give old Jeff another article to write about should the outdoor filed be selected one game during a classic fall thunderstorm in Atlanta!

dawgma

May 24th, 2010
6:57 am

Billionaires should build their own damn stadiums. I am sick of seeing a city hand over public money to loaded pro team owners to build stadiums and then paying a yearly ticket price increase to help the team pay for the rest.

Larry

May 24th, 2010
6:58 am

gmoney,

I do too and wholeheartedly agree with you! I think it is wrong to pin the burden of payment on visitors–business or recreational visitors–for a sports facility that pads the owner’s pockets.

The Falcons are a business majority owned by Blank. If he wants a new facility then he and his investors should ante up just like he and they had to do every time he built another Home Depot Facility. Other than the emotion of a fan, what is the real difference?

Larry

May 24th, 2010
7:02 am

Suburban venues succeed because the vast majority of people in metro areas have no interest in coming into the morass of downtown environments. Schultz and downtown Atlanta both stink.

SimpleDawg

May 24th, 2010
7:03 am

A retractable roof stadium is the only answer…..if you want to maintain high season ticket sales, the SEC CG, Regional & Final Four college basketball games, etc., etc., etc……

Kirby Smart

May 24th, 2010
7:04 am

Who cares?
Let’s talk about how UGA let me get away.
I can turn water into wine and I could have made Georgia shine!

the Insider

May 24th, 2010
7:05 am

If Arthur Blank wants to make more money, then Arthur Blank can invest the money in a new stadium, just like track owners in NASCAR do. That means no motel/hotel tax or any other tax. And honestly, Jeff-you haven’t seen a game in the elements since you were in college. You sit in the press box and look at the fans being cold and wet.

R Pitts

May 24th, 2010
7:09 am

Dumb, dumb, dumb article. Get a brain dude! If Blank wants a new stadium, fine. But not with one cent of tax money of any kind at all. Any tax money could be better spent on other things. Otherwise, just move the almost always sorry team to another city. Fact is, we need a domed stadium for all the events we host. No domed stadium means no NCAA tourneys or final 4s, no SEC tourney, no ACC tourney, and no place to hold overflow for GWCC events, among other things we’d lose. For Atlanta, open air makes no sense. If the Falcons leave, so be it as it would not be much of a loss. The city really does not and never really has embraced that sorry team. So, fly away birdie, fly away!

BugKiller

May 24th, 2010
7:11 am

Jeff,

So you’re cool with losing the SEC Championship Game to New Orleans?

You’re cool with never hosting another Final Four?

You’re cool with no Peach Bowl? No Chik-Fil-A Kickoff? No chance at ever hosting a Super Bowl again?

In New Orleans they spent something like 200 million to renovate the Super Dome. I was there for the Sugar Bowl in 2007.

As nice as they made the Super Dome, it’s STILL not better than the Georgia Dome.

How can you say the Georgia Dome doesn’t have enough suites? It has like 200 suites! That’s one of the highest number in ALL of football. Tampa doesn’t have that many in their newish stadium.

How about this?

Artie BUYS the Dome from Atlanta. He then gets some of those eggheads from NATS to design and implement a retractable roof made of FABRIC, so as to be able to work with the existing structure of the Dome.

He can then spend then money to put that on as well as make any improvements he wishes.

OR.

Have Arthur Blank build his own damn stadium in one of the Turner Field parking lots, work with the Braves to create a parking deck to make up for the loss of parking spaces, and then work with the city to bring MARTA to that area.

This way, the new stadium is close to downtown, BUT also allows for TAILGATING.

How about that???

Big Dog 98

May 24th, 2010
7:12 am

Attention Kirby Smart…please go away.

Humm...

May 24th, 2010
7:26 am

OK, ready for the brewer’s to step up for the naming rights…Anheuser-Bush Stadium, “POPING THE TOP ON ANOTHER ONE”… and as you drive by you can say, “Passing a Bud”… or group seating sales refered to as a “Six Pack”, or football late in the season as “A Cold One”…
Lots of possibilities…

GEORGIA97

May 24th, 2010
7:37 am

Here comes JSS to dazzle us with his DOT knowledge, “Chum.” Downtown Atlanta stinks and who enjoys tailgaint next to whinos covered in used beer? Move to the burbs, I say.

tom

May 24th, 2010
7:44 am

Mr. Blank obviously does not want to host a Super Bowl and does not care about the fans. No one wants to sit out in the elements if given a choice. He has tunnel vision. By the way, why does Rich McKay still have a job?

Phillip May

May 24th, 2010
7:47 am

somehow I doubt that you would be exposed to the elements in the press area. retractable roof for multi-use venue is the way to go. I saw enough miserable games in miserable weather at old fulton-county stadium. depressing rain and 37 degrees does not have the same “vibe” as 27 degrees with snow. even detroit figured that one out. don’t forget the chic-fil-a bowl, sec championship, final four, and super bowl…

tim

May 24th, 2010
7:49 am

If Mr Blank is truly committed to the ecomony of Atlanta then a dome or retractable is the only way to go, but it seems he wants to get into the soccer business with an open facility and compete with the Georgia Dome for events.

Posters who comment just about football and Atlanta doesn’t need a covered facility doesn’t have a clue what a Dome contrubutes to the economy. Ask Indy. Without a covered facility that City would still be a non destination for any large event.

This ISN”T JUST ABOUT FOOTBALL GAMES 12 TIMES A YEAR1

To poster Bugkiller….The Braves don’t own Turner Field. MARTA stations aren’t there because it’s solid rock and too expensive to connect with the existing rail line.

Reggie

May 24th, 2010
7:50 am

Why not just move it to south Georgia. You’ll be comfortable there? Right?

Rankin and the Boys

May 24th, 2010
7:51 am

Don’t forget it was Rankin Smith who held us all hostage back in the late 80’s with his threat to move the team to Jacksonville if he did not get a new stadium. Also, don’t forget it was the good ole boys at the capital who came up with the great idea of a domed stadium that could be used as a part of the GWCC. Brillant!

John

May 24th, 2010
7:56 am

There’s gotta be a way to improve the current venue that will allow Blank to increase his profits to the obscenely obscene level of his contemporaries without s–t canning the Dome.

Improve the amenities inside the place for the rich and famous and CREATE some amenities outside for the rest of us.

In order to induce the Falcons fan to pass more of his filthy lucre Art’s way, he’s gotta establish a conspicuous line of demarcation between them and the common man. Look at the Liberty Media Braves! The Ted abounds with examples. There’s the Lexus Only lot and the new SunTrust section behind home plate. Hell everybody in the park knows how elite and special those folks are.

The idea here is to create something, make everybody think they gotta have it, then charge ten prices for it so only the wealthy can afford it. Then their money buys not only the tangible good (parking in close proximity to the stadium and behind-home-plate seats) but exclusivity and status – the ultimate flauntable intangibles!

We don’t need another 75,000 seat stadium in Atlanta. The Dome is less than 20 years old! Blank and his brain trust need to get creative.

Blank seems like a good guy. But his toy is a cash cow that can give a helluva lot more milk. If ATL doesn’t knuckle under, somebody else will. We’ll probably have to meet his demands.

They say an NFL team provides an economic stimulus to the home city. Now’s probably not the time to test the veracity of that theory.

It is freaking disgusting though, given our current economic situation.

BigWat

May 24th, 2010
7:56 am

As a season ticket holder, I’m in favor of a new stadium. However I support a dome or a retractable roof. The Falcon fans are already “fair weather” fans. An outdoor stadiuim would be a bad decision from the city and business perspective. We need to keep it downtown.

chzbykr

May 24th, 2010
8:04 am

yeah, easy for you Shultz sitting in a press booth during the rain and cold. I remember too many empty, altho paid for, seats in the old stadium. Not so many diehard fans here as many other cities. Too many events lost here without som kind of dome.

leland

May 24th, 2010
8:07 am

Me, I was against it before I read #1 and #2, but then I clum up on a fence. As they say on the lottery report on Channel 2, those two numbers were followed by the next one. It was there that I got myself wholly convinced on the necessity for the project. I had no idea, Mr. Shultz, that you didn’t like indoor football. How can any fairminded reader resist that compelling revelation? You sure do know how to develop an argument.

Jan Spiro

May 24th, 2010
8:07 am

Downtown is great. That’s why Cox and the AJC moved to Dunwoody.

mid georgia

May 24th, 2010
8:10 am

Iffen Blank wants it let him pay for it. Best thing is to refurbish the Ga dome to a retractable roof kind of thing. Only way.

Shug

May 24th, 2010
8:10 am

Regular (i.e., outdoor) stadiums beat shopping mall domed ones under any conditions. And I also couldn’t care less whether the SEC championship game, NCAA final fours or the ex-Peach Bowl prefer domes or not. True fans want the feel of autumn (and winter) football.

F-105 Thunderchief

May 24th, 2010
8:11 am

They could build it where the AJC used to be. If Blank wants to build it, fine. Let him. But, to ask taxpayers to even help fund it during the Great Recession is just wrong.

KaiserSouze

May 24th, 2010
8:13 am

When I want something and I have the money I buy it. If Blank wants a new open air stadium let him buy it, enough said. Where should he put it? Where the sun don’t shine in an open air stadium. Give me a break about the weather in Nov, Dec and Jan., it sucks. Just ask Nascar and the numbers they get in Hampton during the fall. When man makes plans the gods say “yeah right”. One final note, the reason the elements play no role in attendance in the NEast, they have no life but their teams, we locally have many choices and one of them is called the SEC. I was born a Yankee but I am now southern by choice for over 30 years. And the NFL can kiss my grits. Selah!

Angus

May 24th, 2010
8:17 am

The hotel-motel tax won’t support both the Dome and pay for new construction – something’ll have to give.

Angus

May 24th, 2010
8:18 am

Build the new stadium on the olf Fulton Co Stadium site – it would then make sense to bring in rail to support both venues.

KaiserSouze

May 24th, 2010
8:21 am

By the way Jeff how revealing, “If I was a fan I would rather sit outside”. Your not a fan so you play no role in this new stadium discussion other than far from innocent bystander. Keep your two cents to yourself or lend it to Arthur. BTW, do we really want to give money to someone named Artie? Selah!

gasgop

May 24th, 2010
8:21 am

Guys,
Part of the reason you have an outdoor stadium is because people will then have to pay for the suites to protect themselves from the environment. Currently with the Georgia dome you have a temperature controlled seat in all seats. So there is no incentive to pay extra dollars for club seats or suites. This is what drives up revenue. Retractable roof does not accomplish this. A two stadium solution with keeping the current dome(for keeping the SEC, ACC, peach etc.) and building a new open air stadium would be the solution.

Genius

May 24th, 2010
8:24 am

If they had not been short-sighted (cheap) during the Olympic buildup in the early 90s, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. And it would have been a lot cheaper than it will be today. Put a retractable roof on it and be done with it. Arthur, I hope you are too smart to make the same mistake twice.

gasgop

May 24th, 2010
8:28 am

Angus, The dome will be paid off by the time the new dome is ready. that is why they had to vote for the new hotel/motel tax, the current one expires when the current dome is paid off.

Kenneth

May 24th, 2010
8:31 am

As someone who has been to the new Dallas stadium, Atlanta would be well advised to stadium like this. Of course, Atlanta doesn’t need all the seats to be leather or exteremely comfortable like Dallas, we dont need two open air sides, we dont need half of the luxury Dallas has, or the scoreboard as big as the field. Cut away all the unnecessaries and Atlanta could have a nice stadium for half the cost of Dallas. Atlanta fans are just too fickle when it comes to pro sports. With college sports we’ll go through hell to watch them outside. Pro? Too many other things to do.

Angus

May 24th, 2010
8:34 am

I contend that without the revenue stream to maintain and improve the Dome, it will die a slow death once an event or two relocate. And, AMB won’t be there to pony-up the cash for needed improvements the next go-around.

Sid

May 24th, 2010
8:36 am

My god, we can’t continue to hold events in that dilapidated old run down Georgia Dome. Heck, the thing is in danger of collapse. Tear it down.

1. Maybe those club seats are a wee overpriced.

2. You can’t speak for everybody.

3. Retractable roof is the only answer. You need to be able to draw special events that require a roof and you will NOT get another Super Bowl with an open air stadium in Atlanta.

4. Oh ye of little imagination, we’re not talking just basketball and concerts. If the taxpayers are involved they must have more revenue earning options other than football.

5. I agree, downtown…….where we already have a fine football stadium…!! People keep talking about Doraville and the old GM plant. Doraville City Council voted against even considering it. Anyway, you would have to name it Halcón Estadio de Fútbol.

6. Well then, Rich McKay isn’t doing a very good job is he.

Synopsis: We (John Q. Public Taxpayer) are going to build Arthur Blank a new stadium so he can make “more” money? Heck, while you are at it build me one too.

FunkyBobbyJ

May 24th, 2010
8:36 am

Blank needs to fund the stadium and help push to get the World Cup here. An International city should have a place to host international matches and have an MLS team. I know that no one cares about soccer, but it could really bring in some revenue (the World Cup, maybe not so much MLS).

sunny purdue

May 24th, 2010
8:54 am

It seems the REAL ISSUE is the unsold club seats. Luxury boxes will not increase the fan base or attendance but they will insure a guaranteed income for the owner. So, if the beneficiary of the income is the owner – he should build his own stadium. If the Falcons want to sell more club seats either put a better product on the field or put the field somewhere that will draw more fans – not downtown.

Most sportswriters cry they are old school while they sit in the press-box shielded from the weather eating food from the buffet tables and don’t pay for tickets. So Jeff, your opinion is jaded – those who sit in the blazing heat or sub freezing temps are the ones to consider. This article is a nice one if you need to suck up to the Falcons.

Simply put, an outdoor stadium downtown will draw fewer fans but guarantee an increased income for the owners. My vote – not one dime for such a foolish venture, not even an anti tourism tax . Downtown venues do not work in Atlanta. Perhaps you could write a nice piece about reviving Underground Atlanta.

TommyJack

May 24th, 2010
8:54 am

Waste is still waste. Despite (no) tax payer liability, it still seems unneccessary.

rekingball

May 24th, 2010
8:55 am

A ball game in which you can’t touch the ball with your hands?
Give me a break, boring.

willdave

May 24th, 2010
8:56 am

OK. The Falcons moved into their new domed stadium in 1992. Less than 18 short years later, they are already seriously seeking a new home. Thus, in building a new facility for a pro team, it is always better to do it right rather than settle for quick fixes.

Yes, Jeff. I agree wholeheartedly that any new facility for the Birds should be an outdoor stadium with natural grass. Hey, this is Georgia, the Deep South. We are much more likely to have warm, sunny days than cold, rainy ones during the football season. We really do not need a domed stadium down here. Moreover, look at all the injuries and shortened careers that have resulted from playing on artificial turf, although I understand that the Dome field features some improvements.

I understand that a domed facility provides opportunities to host a wider variety of major events. So, my solution? Go ahead and spend the extra money to build a state-of-the-art outdoor facility with a retractable dome. Let’s do it right this time. The Falcons and we taxpayers know we would get that money back many times over. Just go ahead and spend it.

Sure, it would be nice to keep the Falcons downtown. However, keep in mind that this NFL team has a regional following. It is not restricted to the city of Atlanta. Thus, the necessity of building the right type of facility takes precedence over the desire to keep the Birds nesting in a downtown location.

The old GM plant in Doraville would be a perfect suburban alternative for a new Falcon facility. Plenty of land. Right next to a MARTA rail line and I-285. The suburbs offer several other choice alternatives.

Let’s not be afraid to think outside the box on a project of this magnitiude. Once the new stadium is built, the topic of providing a new home for the Falcons should not come up again in our lifetime.

rekingball

May 24th, 2010
8:57 am

Jeff, you never replied to the question about sitting in the stands or sitting in the press box.

Change to Old Uniforms

May 24th, 2010
8:59 am

why can’t both stadiums exist together?

Dome (Ga State football, Chic Fil-A bowl & kick-off classic, SEC championship, High School football, NCAA basketball, supercross, megafest, etc.)

Doraville (Falcons, ACC championship)

Mash

May 24th, 2010
9:00 am

Jeff, I completely agree with your points on the open-air stadium. This needs to happen. I applaud the Falcons for doing what’s best for them and City of Atlanta in pushing for an open-air stadium.

I’m not completely sold that it needs to be downtown. Wherever this stadium is built in Atlanta, it needs to have a parking lot able to acomodate tailgating. There certainly isn’t any suitable place for tailgating at the current Dome location. If they find a site downtown that can pull off tailgating, I’m all for it. If not, I wouldn’t mind building it somewhere on the north side.

Hillbilly Deluxe

May 24th, 2010
9:00 am

I don’t care what he does, as long as he does it with his own money. Not one dime of taxpayer money for a billionaire owner.

g garcia

May 24th, 2010
9:01 am

♦ 2. We obviously have more important needs in Atlanta than a new football stadium. The Georgia Dome is not falling apart. But if Blank wants to fund this project by himself, nobody should have a problem with that. If taxpayers are willing to pass an initiative for a special hotel-motel tax to help partially fund the project, nobody should have a problem with that, either. Yes, it would be wonderful if voters could be moved to vote for a hotel tax to help raise money for education and prevent 1,500 teachers from losing jobs. But realistically, that’s not going to happen.

The problem is that Blank does not want to fund this project by himself. He wants the city to help him pay for the stadium. A bed tax makes our hotels and motels slightly less competitive for conventions. So, if we tax beds, we had better do so carefully. The tax had better go towards the needs of the city.

You say that a bed tax will not be approved to help the school system. Why? Why can’t fine journalists, like yourself get on their stumps and make convincing arguments that a room tax should be used towards the city’s educational programs? Why do AJC writers act as promoters for Arthur Blank’s desires? Perhaps I have missed a dissenting article.

This is insanity. I like Mr Blank and I believe that he has helped the city of Atlanta, but this city does not owe him anything. This city must attract more residents. To do that, improvements must be made to the quality of life within the city limits. Its educational system must be brought up to national standards. Its mass transportation system must be developed. There must be compelling reasons to live in the city.

Yet, here we are, reading another AJC article advocating for Blank’s project. Come on Mr Schultz, would you rather spend room tax revenues on a new stadium? Really? Have you given up? Won’t you stand up and fight for a better Atlanta?

BugKiller

May 24th, 2010
9:02 am

Come on, Jeff, you know better than what you’re saying. Don’t be naive.

The city can’t support both an outdoor stadium and the dome, especially on the GWCC Campus.

The SEC moved the Championship Game to Atlanta BECAUSE it was a domed stadium, as the two games played in the elements in Birmingham were largely unexceptional.

Final Fours are only played in domed football stadiums now. And now that they’ve found a way to put the court in the middle of the floor on a raised platform, there is no way the NCAA is passing up 60,000 to 70,000 tickets for 19,000 in Phillips Arena.

The same goes for the SEC Tourney.

The Peach-Fil-A Bowl would go from being one of the best bowls to one of the worst in an outdoor stadium, just as it was in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

That’s why, if a stadium is to be built, it needs to be built and maintained BY Arthur Blank… NOT the city. The city simply can’t afford the upkeep on TWO stadiums.

And it needs to be built AWAY from the Dome. Either stick it in Gwinnett County, or like I said, build it next to Turner Field.

REB

May 24th, 2010
9:02 am

Have you been to Athens in August or early September? It is the most miserable, hottest, stadium ever. I love my Dawgs but god is it hot then. I have been there and froze to death as well. Give me the Dome any day. I have had Dawg and Falcons season tickets (sometimes both at the same time) and the Dome is one reason why we ultimately chose the birds.

homanro

May 24th, 2010
9:04 am

As a charter season ticket holder who spent many cold and/or wet miserable afternoons in Atlanta Stadium, the Dome has been far more FAN FRIENDLY! As to financing with a hotel/motel tax, that isn’t necessarily pain free for locals, if it depresses convention/tourist business. Did not Jerry Jones finance his new stadium without any help? If so, Arthur Blank can too!!

Angus

May 24th, 2010
9:06 am

Out of curiosity, for those of you calling for a northern-burb location, what’s the excuse for the Gwinnett Braves poor attendance?

Bugkiller is right

May 24th, 2010
9:08 am

Jeff, you ask why we assume everything would leave, why do you think anything would stay? The SEC championship is gone, they want to be inside. The Big 12 tried outside and it did not work, now they are back inside and how has thay ACC championship outside worked out. As for the Peach bowl, it went from a toilet bowl with bad weather to very good bowl when it went inside. That would go in the toilet. The dome serves a much bigger purpose than holding Falcons games. If they want open air then build it themselves or find another city to build it for them

Tim Tebow's Tears

May 24th, 2010
9:11 am

100 percent agree. Let’s get this done. The Dome stinks!!!

Silverfox

May 24th, 2010
9:12 am

The key to the dome is the fact that the Falcons represent less than 20% of the revenue and usage. While it is not ideal for football, the outside venue is horrible for conventions, concerts, etc that produce most of the revenue for the Dome. So what we are looking at is taking a single multiuse venue and splitting it into 2 special use facilities.

Todd

May 24th, 2010
9:14 am

Just play the games at the gwinnett arena. lol

sick of funding this

May 24th, 2010
9:15 am

This will be one more thing for season ticket holders to bear. Now, we’ll have PSL’s like Carolina, and we can barely afford our lower level seats as it is. Guess we could move in the nosebleed, but before I’ll pay PSL’s as a 22 year season ticket holder, I’ll keep my happy fanny at home. Sorry. Nothing wrong with the Dome. The NFL and Arthur Blank are pricing the average fan out of the game. And, put a product on the field worth paying for. Now, I got all my rants in on one item. Cool!

Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & TIred

May 24th, 2010
9:16 am

I too remember all the no-shows at Fulton County Stadium when the weather was crap. And…the rationale about cities like Green Bay and its fans sitting outside in the elements…there isn’t a whole lot other than the Packers to in Green Bay during the winter months. Like many others have stated, there are lots of options on Sunday in the Atlanta metro area plus the area has a lot of transient folks who continue to support the teams they support prior to moving to the Atlanta area.

If a new stadium is approved, it should have a retractable roof so that the metro area will not lose the revenues generated from the other events currently hosted at the GA Dome. Or keep the Dome and build an outdoor stadium somewhere in the downtown area. There are still large parcels of land (especially old industrial sites) inside the perimeter that could be utilized.

As for the lack of areas for tailgating at Falcons’ games, I’ve never had a problem unless you feel like you need to tailgate on grass. Tailgating has problems besides the complaints of winos and beggers in downtown…just ask the folks at UGA when they have to clean up the thousands of pounds of trash left behind in Athens after UGA football games.

sick of funding this

May 24th, 2010
9:19 am

Enter your comments here

Charlie Bama

May 24th, 2010
9:25 am

A city with two perfectly nice, sparkling downtown stadiums, one domed, one not, is either brilliant or crazy. Thing is, it’s gonna be other cities who get to judge and label us in the first decade. Presently, ATL is not making the ‘brilliant’ list with this idea. Just sayin’. . . .

KaiserSouze

May 24th, 2010
9:26 am

No go on that job Jeff. Artie’s people just called and they want 60% of my earnings on my concession stand. And the NFL called and they want 40% on licensing. So it goes and I thought you would be a good fit for our team. Low miles on being a writer and all. My envies are few but writer is one. Something about sitting in front of a keyboard until you sweat blood. Is that how it works some days? Selah!

Sunny Purdue

May 24th, 2010
9:26 am

Typical sportswriter’s Sunday at the Dome:
1. Park in AJC deck.
2. Limo to the stadium (only when it’s rainy, cold or hot).
3. Flash press pass in private entrance.Take private elevator to press level.
4. Get in buffet line – to the front of the line for those who are nice to the Falcons.
5. Find comfy chair in air-conditioned/heated press-box.
6. Spill food on keyboard.
7. Write article about the joys of an outdoor stadium.

EW

May 24th, 2010
9:29 am

Jeff, I am all for it if we can improve the tailgating and parking situation. Oh and if there is a mass transit option to get to the stadium that doesn’t include shuttles..you know for those who don’t want to drive or tailgate. Everyone knows the nasty months in GA are in January and February…September- December, while cold, are usually beautiful in Atlanta…

Idea man

May 24th, 2010
9:29 am

Build it next to Turner field where Fulton County Stadium used to be and get a MARTA stop and underground parking down there as well.

BuckCommander

May 24th, 2010
9:31 am

First!!

EW

May 24th, 2010
9:32 am

I love how everyone is hating on Jeff’s job when they know they would give their left nut to be a Sportswriter and do the same thing..you think Jeff got to where he is by not being a fan first? You guys make it seem like he watches the game like royalty. I have sat behind Shultz at a Hawks game..and there was no booth…no courtside seats, no waiters bringing food, NOTHING SPECIAL…just a table on the mezzanine level with laptops surrounded by other writers watching the game with the same view/experience I was having..sheesh…

beauvighn

May 24th, 2010
9:37 am

I would rather have the SEC championship game or any college game for that matter than the Falcons..It has turned into a hip hop fest on Sundays at the dome. Build your open air stadium and watch the attendance drop like a lead weight lat in the season.

BuckCommander

May 24th, 2010
9:38 am

I think that Arthur Blank needs to spennd some of his money on a facelift and nosejob unless he can figure out a way to get the taxpayers to fund it.

freehawk

May 24th, 2010
9:40 am

I have never understood the “weather is a part of the game” cliche. Bad weather stinks. I hate going to games in bad weather. I hate waking up and thinking “oh man, it looks like it is going to rain.” Think of how many Peach Bowls (when it was called that) were played in absolutely terrible weather.

Can you put a retractable or partly retractable roof on what we have now?

I guard my wallet when somebody says “this won’t cost the taxpayers anything.”

Shultz has a press buffet at games. I don’t feel sory for him.

DP

May 24th, 2010
9:44 am

If Arthur Blank wants to build a new stadium for the Falcons with his own money on a site other than that of the Georgia Dome I have no problem with it. Under no circumstances should the Georgia Dome be torn down nor should one penny of taxpayer support go to a new stadium.

People keep comparing the football experience here to Green Bay, New England, etc., i.e. if the fans there come out in the cold and rain (no mention of them coming out in 95 degree heat in September because they don’t have it) they should come out here. Fine, build a stadium based on how you think fans should behave instead of how they actually behave. Contempt for your customers is always smart business.

hols

May 24th, 2010
9:46 am

Its a perfectly good venue however it would bring a lot of jobs to the city for construction. As long as it remains the ATLANTA falcons and not the Gwinnett falcons or Marietta falcons.

Larry M

May 24th, 2010
9:50 am

Problem: the Falcons want an open air stadium and don’t want to pay for a retractable roof. Atlanta needs the roof in order to keep the SECCG, Peach Bowl, NCAA tournaments, Super Bowls, etc.

Easy solution: have Blank pay for the cost of the stadium as if it had no roof. Have Atlanta pay for the roof.

dean

May 24th, 2010
9:51 am

My brother says watching a game at the dome is like watching a game in a shopping mall.

Sonny Clusters

May 24th, 2010
9:51 am

Wait just a minute . . . don’t be so hard on Jeff. Buffets at a stadium can be high risk and the food gets cold real quick. That’s why they use Sterno and it was Sterno that caught Atlanta Fulton County Stadium on fire. Jeff could be standing in line waiting to get to some beanie weenies and while he was in line the food could be getting cold and then he would have to take a paper plate full of cold beanie weenies over to his table and try to eat and enjoy it and still watch the game and type a story or blog with us. Writing for the AJC is not as cushy a job as some of us have it made up to be.

Sunny Purdue

May 24th, 2010
10:00 am

Sonny, you are correct sir. Jeff hates a cold weenie – that is why he sits in the press-box.

Delbert D.

May 24th, 2010
10:11 am

A retractable roof really increases the price over an open stadium. Just build the stadium where people will actually want to travel on game days. The current location in downtown Atlanta ain’t it. Keep the Dome for those bowl games and championship games. Forget the Super Bowl; it’s never coming back to the Dome anyway, and why do we need it?

Flowery Branch is the place.

Old School

May 24th, 2010
10:14 am

Like the majority of opinions here, mine is: build the stadium with a retractable roof. To do so otherwise is totally brainless. JEFF, you asked earlier what things would we lose if we only had an open-air stadium? You gotta be kidding! As so many others said:

*the Final Four (men and womens every 4-5 years, not to mention the regional title games)

*SEC football and basketball championship games / ACC Basketball Tournament

*Chick-fil-A Bowl and Chick-fil-a Kickoff– sure people will still come, but how many when there is a torrential thunder/ligthening storm or cold, drenchin rain? As others have said, look at the attendance records of those December games when it was 35-degrees and rain, even if the Falcons were decent

*ultra-major concerts

*duh, the Holy Grail Super Bowl– hell, if it is hard enough to get one WITH a dome, what do you think the chances are w/o (and don’t tell me about NYC–they are getting one in their new open-air stadium because it is just that: new. And they may get another one later on. Hey, I know NYC, and Atlanta (a city I love) ain’t no NYC.

I usually agree with Jeff’s columns, but this one is way off base. Exactly how many “Old School Fans” are out there to fill up and open-air stadium on a freezing cold, rainy day? Even when the team is doing well. Once you’ve been in a dome for 18 years (damn, thats “so old” for a stadium) you will never go back.

Incidentally, I read Ken Bernhardt’s piece, he of the Ga. State College of Business and Chairman of the Atlanta Tourism Concil, and all he talks about the Falcons and how good an open-air stadium would be for them. Shouldn’t a chairman of an organization like his be a little for interested in ALL sporrs and activities that bring tourism dollars into Atlanta? But then again, if you have ever seen his mug shot in the Atlanta Busines Chronicle you might understand.

Anyway, Atlanta, if it wants to stay in the running as an annual site for MAJOR sporting and entertainment events, it absolutely has to have an arena with a least a retractable roof. To do otherwise is pure idocy! Atlanta is much more than the Falcons that play 10– count’en TEN– games here over a 365-day calendar. The MAJORITY of people who use the major arena is this town and those who come to this town for events want a facility where they can watch their entertainment in relative comfort. We have enjoyed as fans and reveled in the exposure that these major events bring to our city and state for nearly 20 years now. The genie is way out of the bottle on this and it ain’t going back in in regard to what we have become accustomed to.

As for the financing: let Arhtur build and pay for his open air stadium and let the hotel/rental car tax pay for the retractable roof. Art and you fans who love to sit “in the elements” to watch your football get what you want, and the TOTAL value that comes to our city and state that is generated by an enclosed arena continues.

And don’t tell me that if the Falcons are playing a big game in mid-December and the forecast calls for 30-degrees, rain, and 30 mph wind gusts that Art would not be the first in line to flip the switch to close the roof.

And by the way Jeff—and I usually agree with your columns–you are way off base here. And you really need to recuse yourself from this discussion. Someone who comes to the games to sit in a partially enclosed pressbox (with heaters, air conditioning, a bathroom steps away, a monitor hanging over your head, and a feed table in the next room—not to mention a private parking area a hop-skip-jump from your seat) can easily talk about enjoying football “in the elements as it was meant to be played.” Sorry, Jeff, but you are definitely on the outside looking in from your literal perspctive.

And all of the above comes from someone who has always used the following moniker on this site: OLD SCHOOL

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ptjackets

May 24th, 2010
10:30 am

No Tax payer money period! its time to stop all this crap. If Mr. Blank wants a new statidum let me build it and pay for it and get all the profit for it and if there is not a profit then he will sufer the loss like every other business man in the USA!

Walker, Texas Ranger

May 24th, 2010
10:35 am

I remeber going to Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, in 1991, the day after Kirby Puckett hit the homerun. The Falcons were playing the Oilers. It was about 90, felt like 110 in the stadium. Cold don’t bother me but sitting in that sweat box, never again. Nothing better than sitting next to some lard ass, sweating all over you. The other thing Jeff, you think this bunch of fair weather fans would ever go to a game when it is raining or cold or both. It will never happen. Retractible roof in the burbs with the candle stick.

Mike (Original Formula)

May 24th, 2010
10:36 am

The argument here is not about old school or new school. The argument is about major sporting events. The city of Atlanta turned out in droves to cheer on a man who a few years back flipped off the entire city of Atlanta… literally. Atlanta is not full of thousands of NFL savy fans. Atlanta is not a pro football town. Tony said it well on another blog. This is a college football town and State. College football should always be played outdoors. Pro football is better served in a dome unless you’re in a great pro football city like Pittsburgh, Green Bay, or dare I say Baltimore. Leave those stadiums as is, but the Falcons playing in a dome really doesn’t matter. The Georgia Dome can bring in lots of different events by just being what it is. So, the argument here is not about who’s old school or new school. The NFL is a money making league and the venues they play in are there to perform the same job. UGA makes money off of Sanford Stadium (outdoor stadium) every fall because they can’t sell enough tickets to games even in a bad year, in cold weather, in a recession. This is because of a gigantic following of alumni and die hard good ole boys (like me) who never went to school there, but have lived UGA football since birth. The falcons don’t have that luxury or following for one simple reason, this State is a college football State. I just can’t see a packed stadium in December, outdoors, if the Birds are fighting to finish up the year at .500.

Build Now

May 24th, 2010
10:44 am

Atlanta needs to pay for the new stadium, whatever the cost. Just raise taxes—it’s no big deal. If not, Blank and McKay will begin shopping the team around to other cities (LA, Orlando, San Antonio…) who will pay whatever it takes for a team and brand new, state of the art stadium. Atlanta has plenty of cash if they raise sales taxes for a few years, which will generate a billion that it will take to built the type of stadium that Blank and McKay want. Atlanta better hurry, before Blank gets mad.

Eric

May 24th, 2010
10:44 am

Love the Falcons and love the dome downtown. I will not sit in a cold rain to watch a football game when I can watch it in HD on my big screen in my living room. Tax payer funding…hell no!

PMC

May 24th, 2010
10:46 am

Suburban venues don’t typically have a vibe… but look at the planning of this city Jeff. Stadiums need to be in vibrant “fun” areas of the city to have an overall fun experience for the gameday fans… and there needs to be ample parking for fans that like to tailgate for football anyway.

The Georgia Dome area has become better in the past few years now that there are a few bars to go to and choose from pregame but it’s still not great. It’s not the shining city icon of a stadium that it should be and honestly despite being a very nice venue… it’s way to big for the Falcons. 70K seats would be a gracious plenty.

There just aren’t enough fun vibrant areas in the city with ample space for a stadium… then we’ve underfunded Marta so we don’t really have a great civic transportation system like in other major cities… so everyone drives….usually thier own car…. so then 85K people are driving vehicles in and out of tight combined spaces with sort of terrible downtown street routing. It’s just a mess…. so do you want vibe or do you want a nice gameday experience?

There are lots of reasons most major cities have lost thier stadiums to the burbs. There is just lack of ample space downtown to support major venues and while it looks cool I guess… it’s simply a headache to try and get thousands of people in and out without major traffic rerouting and an excellent civic transportation system.

LLOYD CHRISTMAS

May 24th, 2010
10:47 am

I’m an Atlanta fan. I like going to games with my company’s free tickets. If I get there before kickoff, that means that I have not done a good enough job chugging beer and liquor at our “tailgate”. When I do get to the game, I like to walk in and out of our row because I feel the need to drink 8 more beers and for sure get some of those yummy Nacho plates with the creamy cheese and get it all over my fingers. Hot dogs are good too, and I’ll eat four or five of those as I’m getting ready for my forth quarter beer run. Then, I like the helmet game and all of the loud noise that comes after every play. The nosie level is so intense that I usually leave 5 minutes into the forth quarter. And another thing, I’ll never watch football without air conditioning.

HugoStiglitz

May 24th, 2010
10:51 am

Im not sure that Atlanta will ever be a pro football city until we get an outdoor stadium. I know alot of long time season ticket holders, including myself, who have asked for this for years. The Dome is ok but we can do alot better.

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May 24th, 2010
10:55 am

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Paddy O

May 24th, 2010
10:58 am

Under this funding scenario, fine go ahead and build. But, how badly does that damage the fiscal sustainability of the Ole Georgia Dome?

Paddy O

May 24th, 2010
11:00 am

Eric – the only public funding would come from hotel/motel, which is a form of sales tax. the vast majority of locals would NOT be funding it. again, though – how would a new outdoor stadium affect the operation of the dome? still able to fund its debt load?

Jimmy B

May 24th, 2010
11:00 am

The neighborhoods around the GA Dome are not safe for Falcons fans when returning to their cars after a game. Let’s face it, I am a white dude that just isn’t comfotable walking to my car with my kids in those neighborhoods. I am not a racist, just concerned for my family’s safety. I would prefer a stadium in a safer area which to me means away from downtown. I would also like a retractable roof. September games can be very hot and december games can have inclement weather. Why not get the best of the weather and close the roof on bad weather days. One man’s opinion.

wesleywhatwhat

May 24th, 2010
11:08 am

i have no problem with blank building a new stadium for his product. get a loan and start drawing up plans. don’t forget to save some money for property taxes.

but start asking for a single dollar of public money and the conversation is a non starter.

trust – the falcons need atlanta a lot more than altanta needs the falcons.

New Stadium Now!

May 24th, 2010
11:10 am

Football was meant to be played outdoors, in the elements—rain, heat, ice, … No big deal. Atl city officials need to get going on a huge, 80,000 seat outdoor stadium with all the bells and whistles and tons of corporate suites. A 1% sales tax will easily pay for the stadium, or just raise property taxes.

ATL

May 24th, 2010
11:15 am

Jeff,
I completely agree with you!

1966 Classic

May 24th, 2010
11:19 am

You could rebuild Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium Stadium real cheap.

Dawg Days

May 24th, 2010
11:31 am

Wonderful, he wants to fund it himself. How about funding the educations of untold students and saving the livelihoods of thousands of teachers?

travelqueen

May 24th, 2010
11:34 am

Enter your comments here

Gosh

May 24th, 2010
11:44 am

Gosh we have some pussified fans! I wonder if the same fans yelling “Build a retractable roof” are going to be the first in line to pay for those $5,000 – $14,000 PSL’s that come with it? Atlanta fans are fickle as they come and I’m sure Mr. Blank as well as Mr. McKay knows this. PSL’s is the last thing Falcon fans need.

Monkalicious

May 24th, 2010
11:59 am

As a season ticket holder I can tell you will always love and support my Falcons. However, if my only live viewing option is to do it in 95 degree weather with a threat of rain I will offer my love and support from my couch in front of the big screen.

Blood soaked worm

May 24th, 2010
12:01 pm

I still don’t get the continued rhetoric stating that football MUST be played outdoors. Football has been played indoors since the 70s….Wait, when did the Astrodome open? Playing the game indoors has NO ill effect on the game. People still go, teams still play and the NFL still flourishes.

This has nothing to do with not wanting to brave the elements. This has everything to do with fiscal responsibility. This like buying a new car while you are still making payments on your current car because the new car is…..Well, newer. As a season ticket holder, I don’t want to pay PSLs, or higher ticket prices just to have a brand new stadium. It’s football wherever they play it…..I just want to be able to afford it.

At 9 years old, cried my eyes out when Dallas beat ATL in the 1980 Playoffs

May 24th, 2010
12:04 pm

150% in favor of an outdoor stadium. I still miss the old Fulton County Stadium.

Hatfield Geoff

May 24th, 2010
12:06 pm

Jeff,

Retractable dome is the way to go. Sunny, Crisp, Fall Sundays are pletiful in Atlanta and great for football, but December and January are usually cold and wet not good for fans or playoff games.

Screg

May 24th, 2010
12:08 pm

Open Air Stadium! Lets Go!

Smiling Jack

May 24th, 2010
12:14 pm

Build a new open air stadium on the old Ford plant property. Let Mr. Blank and the fans pay for it not tax payers in general. Not all tax payers are fans. Conversely, not all fans are tax payers, Si.

I do believe there is a huge probelm with people wanting the government to pay for everything or to bail them out. Our nation has already traveled to far down the road to complete socialism.

PMC

May 24th, 2010
12:23 pm

How quickly we forget how awful it is watching football played on a baseball field….

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May 24th, 2010
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Love the stadium in Dallas but......

May 24th, 2010
12:30 pm

My friend (a concert lighting engineer) recently did a show at the new Cowboys stadium. He says everything there is state-of-the-art. He claims it was worth however much it cost.

What’s the catch? Parking. $60 to park. Their website shows a tailgating pass is $82.

They can’t get stagehands to work events because there’s no “production staff” parking. The guys refuse to pay $60 to show up for a $150 load out or load in. Jerry Jones missed that one.

Reid Adair

May 24th, 2010
12:34 pm

If Arthur Blank and some private entity (Home Depot or whoever) want to pay for a new stadium, then by all means, go for it. I also like the concept of an outdoor stadium (not a dome with a retractable roof). I think while Rich McKay and Blank are talking about the cost, deep down both of them may realize that football in the South should be outdoors.

I wholeheartedly agree that the new stadium, whether it replaces the Georgia Dome or not, should be downtown. Jeff, you’re absolutely right about what Ted Turner’s commitment to downtown did with the addition of Philips Arena. A new football stadium would also help.

As far as the hotel/motel tax? That might pass to help fund a dome, but I tend to agree with you, Jeff. It would seem that there are more important issues that such a tax could benefit. The problem is getting folks to commit those funds to other sources such as education.

Dejay

May 24th, 2010
12:36 pm

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The same folks who are talking about football needing to be played outdoors in the elements will likely be the same ones sitting on their couches after the first cold front hits town in mid-November, while wondering why FOX is showing reruns of COPS and M.A.S.H. instead of the game. Folks who had to deal with that upper deck at the old AFCS when the birds were 4-9 know exactly what I’m talking about.

Jeff, you ought to know better than this; Atlanta is in the big event business and would lose a ton if they replaced the Dome with a building that can only facilitate 10-15 events a year. There is a reason why the SEC title game moved here; the weather in Birmingham was absolutely miserable in ‘92 and ‘93 and the weather here is wayyyyy too unpredictable to have it in an open-air. That game would be headed to New Orleans the second after the wrecking ball hits the Dome. And if the NFL isn’t in love with the Georgia Dome (or the city for that matter) to host another Super Bowl, what odds will we have with an open-air stadium (and nope, we don’t have the cache of NYC to pull off what they’re trying to do)? The NCAA is only going to send the Final Four to towns with domes or 60,000+ seat facilities with retractables on it; you think Philips would have a shot against Jerryworld or Lucas Oil? I wouldn’t think so, either. And don’t even get me started on the Peach/Chik Fil-A Bowl; do you remember how miserable that game used to be at the old stadium? You had to drag teams (and their fans) kicking and screaming to Atlanta because everyone knew it was going to be cold, wet, windy, and miserable.

So folks, if you want to see ‘real football’ being played, I highly suggest that you get on a Delta flight to East Rutherford, Green Bay, Landover, or Pittsburgh. It’s not going to happen here; a retractable roof facility makes too much sense.

JSS

May 24th, 2010
12:42 pm

@ Georgia97…
Troll

@ the rest of the realistic bloggers
Stop looking at Cowboys Stadium as the template. The Template is Reliant Stadium in Houston. In 2002 dollars, it cost $352 million. You’re not going to have silliness like the world’s longest HD video screen. By the way, the last 3 outdoor only stadiums (Soldier Field, QWest, Lincoln Financial) constructed were only $150-200 million dollars less than the newest of the non Cowboy Stadium domes (Lucus Oil Stadium $720 million). So I don’t get where Arthur Blank and McKay are trying to sell these great cost savings between a dome and open air facilities? When concrete and steel are exposed to the elements on a permanent basis, your cost go up, not down. You have account for weathering. By the way, Daniel Synder has been pushing for a new stadium in DC, not the suburbs since 2007. Atlanta is the only place still obsessed with trying to build a stadium in the hinterlands. There have only been four non urban area stadiums built since 1982 (SunLife Stadium, U of Phoenix Stadium, Cowboys Stadium and FedEx Field) which weren’t replacing those already standing in the same area. Amazing, you got to think about that..

Rufino Linares

May 24th, 2010
12:47 pm

Why can’t the club seats be converted to luxury boxes? Spend $20 to million and convert the club seats to luxury boxes.
A retractable-roof stadium is identical to having a dome. It’s not like having an outdoor stadium. If it rains, the roof will be closed. If it’s 90 degrees outside, the roof will closed. Even if it’s 72 degrees and sunny, there really isn’t that much roof to open, so it’s like you’re half indoors/half outdoors.

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May 24th, 2010
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Fillin' up @ Juniors

May 24th, 2010
12:52 pm

I got an idea…how about we not build a stadium and we try winning a super bowl first…The falcons are not moving, Blank is a Home Depot man…and frankly its a dam good football city…If they do move…go to UGA and Tech games and live it up…seriously not a big deal. Say no and move on, there is little they can really and honestly do about it…Leverage people leverage…

Rufino Linares

May 24th, 2010
12:52 pm

No city with a new, outdoor-only NFL stadium gets the Final Four or an SEC Championship game (or equivalent conference title game): Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, Seattle, New England/Foxboro/Boston.

Only exception I can think of is that Jacksonville gets the ACC Championship game.

Hamad Meander

May 24th, 2010
12:53 pm

Arthur wants to make more money and has a right to do so in owning the Falcons. With the city-owned GA Dome, Arthur makes less than almost all other owners. Here’s the best scenario – the city SELLS the GA Dome to Arthur at market value (let’s say $250 million). Arthur rents the Dome out for NCAA football, basketball, and other events. Makes money. Renovates the Dome with more suites and less Club Seats, and does whatever he wants to the roof. It’s a win/win. The taxpayers get $250,000,000 that the politicians can take through corruption – which means less of our property tax dollars going to that purpose. Arthur gets his own stadium, and for less than $350 – $400 million. The new Cowboy stadium cost $1,100,000,000. The Falcons stay downtown and Arthur controls the Dome 100%.

Doraville is a horrible location for a stadium. Other than MARTA stopping there, there isn’t anything else redeaming about that spot. No hotels, no shopping, no restaurants. All things that all already downtown.

Bigg Daddy

May 24th, 2010
12:55 pm

Move to an open venue, cancel my club seats I had from the beginning. If you want an open venue, go North and enjoy all the crappy weather all you purest want!

Move to the Suburbs!

May 24th, 2010
12:57 pm

The downtown atlanta area is a joke–no room for tailgating, dangerous with a bunch of homeless everywhere, no where to park. Build an 85,000 seat stadium up I-85—plenty of cheap land, local property incentives, etc. Gwinnett County will pay whatever it takes to get the falcons. It will be much easier for fans to get to the games, park, tailgate, etc. Gwinnett can just bump up sales taxes and property taxes for a few years to pay for everything. $700 million for a stadium will be a good investment for the county. Get it done!!!

Koz

May 24th, 2010
1:01 pm

Henry County has lots of space for a new stadium. Arthur Blank, Come on down.

Hamad Meander

May 24th, 2010
1:03 pm

Hosting one Superbowl isn’t a good enough reason to build a new stadium. I love the Falcons and go to at least one game every year. I LIKE the GA Dome. I like not being rained on, not sweating my butt off, and not getting sunburnt everytime I go to a game. Being in a Dome is a LUXURY, not a drawback. I have been to over 100 major football games and I will tell you the Dome experience is good.

ChicagoATL Guy

May 24th, 2010
1:04 pm

After spending most of my life in Atlanta, I moved to Chicago 3years ago and I gotta say “Now this is a real sports town”. Win or lose…Chicagoans are absolutely nuts about their sports. The Bears were horrible last year and I couldn’t get a ticket less than $100 for nose bleed seats. The experience of going to a Cubs/Bulls/Bears/Blackhawks game is night and day when compared to any ATL sports. My advice to Atlanta….A. Get rid of Dome and build a real stadium with 50-60K seats not 70,000….Get builders and businesses to build around Turner Field so fans can do stuff before and after the games. It’s not always about winning its more so about the experience. But for me I’m already a changed man I will forever be a Cubs/Bears/Bulls/Blackhawks fan!! Still love the UGA Bulldogs though…..but that ain’t ATL now is it

Born2Buzz

May 24th, 2010
1:22 pm

Jeff, how do you figure that a hotel/motel tax is not a burden on the tax payer. It’s a tax no matter how you spin it, so what that Atlanta residents aren’t getting a tax bill in the mail. If Arthur wants to fund the project 100% then he can do whatever he wants.

And willdave, you must be on Obama’s team. Just go ahead and spend the extra money. The investment will be worth it in the long run. Well, that is if we haven’t gone bankrupt beforehand.

Lank

May 24th, 2010
1:25 pm

An outdoor stadium could help the falcons get to the playoffs again. Considering falcons kickers can’t hit a field goal indoors or outdoors, the weather effect on opposing teams kickers could help us win a few extra games each season.

Born2Buzz

May 24th, 2010
1:26 pm

Move to the Suburbs, you too! Yea, just bump up the taxes!

And ask folks in Boston & Washington how they like their suburban football stadium. They will tell you it sux.

dan

May 24th, 2010
1:35 pm

My problem with the Dome isn’t the inside climate, but the way the Dome is set up. It really isn’t a very accessible building and it is easy to get lost in there. Otherwise though, I think it’s fine. I can speak for playing in the dome in high school player, and it’s a memory you’ll never forget. I also love the SEC title games in the dome as well. Some fans may disagree, but I prefer the SEC championship inside for some reason. Like the Sugar Bowl, it just gives the SEC title game a real championship.

dan

May 24th, 2010
1:36 pm

My problem with the Dome isn’t the inside climate, but the way the Dome is set up. It really isn’t a very accessible building and it is easy to get lost in there. Otherwise though, I think it’s fine. I can speak for playing in the dome as a high school player, and it’s a memory you’ll never forget. I also love the SEC title games in the dome as well. Some fans may disagree, but I prefer the SEC championship inside for some reason. Like the Sugar Bowl, it just gives the SEC title game a real championship feel.

ChicagoATL Guy

May 24th, 2010
1:37 pm

I just read some of the comments here and I gotta say Atlanta fans have turned to a bunch of whimpy whiners. ‘Oh it’s so hot in September and so cold in December and it’s so loud’. There is a reason Atlanta has been voted Worst Sports City in America by Forbes and numerous other organizations. Just google “worst sports town” – You guys are pathetic!

dan

May 24th, 2010
1:44 pm

ChicagoATLguy

Good riddance! The ATL won’t miss you. How fun cheering for your sorry Bears,Bulls, and Cubs! I’ll enjoy the inside atmosphere of the Dome watching my team go to the playoffs while you sit in the snow and watch Cutler choke AGAIN!

Ain't that the Truth, Ruth

May 24th, 2010
1:46 pm

ChicagoATL Guy–you’re actually bragging you’re gonna be a lifelong fan of Chicago teams after only living there for 3 years? That quick you give up your roots?? You sound like you’ve got no backbone or soul. Go live in Followersville, conformist man.

ChicagoATL Guy

May 24th, 2010
1:59 pm

Awww did I hurt some feelings here…I’m so sorry.
@Dan. Trust me the ATL misses me. The Bears/Bulls/Cubs/ are far from sorry my friend. At least we can sell all of our seats during a playoff. Speaking of playoffs there is a good chance I might be attending the StanleyCup finals to root for a certain Team from a certain town…hahahaha….
@Aintthat the Truth Ruth – Let me tell you someting, you come up here and you go to a game at Wrigley or Soldier Field you will too become a Chicago fan or least secretly wish you were. It’s not about living in Followesville its about rooting for the team that you have the most fun when seeing. Atlanta just can’t seem to get that. Yes, it’s GREAT when your team wins & makes it to Championships but it also has to be about the experience and not just selling seats and making money. Sports is just that Sports….if you want an event drinking champagne, seating in a comfortable air conditioned area for god’s sake go to the Ballet or the Opera….you can even get dressed up and wear your tux.

FalconFanForever

May 24th, 2010
2:02 pm

I heard a man on the radio satte he stopped going to teh games, becasue of the weather. I cannot help if you have arthritis and old bones. Please give us an outdoor stadium!!!

ct

May 24th, 2010
2:03 pm

retractable roofs are wimps!!!!!!!!!!! go play with your dolls, you don’t don’t know jack about football!

james

May 24th, 2010
2:04 pm

Based on these earlier posts, I am in the minority in that I really enjoy the Dome experience and would love to see indoor football continue in Atlanta. The Dome’s sight lines are good and its a clean, enjoyable place to watch a game. When the Falcons get all their pieces in place, opposing teams will come into the Dome at an automatic disadvantage with even more crowd noise. But I agree the Falcons are going to need a new facility because the ability to host the Super Bowl, Final Four, Chick-fil-A and SEC Championship should be paramount. These are all significant revenue generators and there’s no way our city should be willing to let these events slip away just because we THINK outdoor Falcon football would be so superior and such “pure” football. I think the answer is to find some large, intown, preexisting industrial facility (similar to the old Atlantic Steel facility that was cleared to make way for Atlantic Station) and convert it to a domed football stadium, a la Lucas Oil in Indianapolis or Ford Field in Detroit.

Ain't that the Truth, Ruth

May 24th, 2010
2:15 pm

@Chicago ATL Dude–

I did live in Chicago, bro. Was there for the ‘91 championship vs. the Lakers, Jordan’s first. I’ve lived in NYC and LA, too. But I grew up from age 6 attending every Falcons home game in the 70’s. I sat through the Dallas playoff loss and could barely function at school that week. I was there for 715. I saw the Eddie Johnson and Terry Furlow rolling around on the court in joy after the Hawks beat the Bullets in Game 6, only to break our hearts in Game 7. I even went to the Flames games. You name it–I either was there or watching it on TV. And it stuck with me. It’s called heart. It’s called identity. I lived in those other cities and proudly attended the games when Atlanta was in town. When the Yankees played the Braves in ‘96, I threw on a Braves t-shirt and ran in Central Park, opposite the running traffic so more people could see my allegiance. Thugs threatened to beat me up. But I’m an Atlantan, bro, 5th generation. I could never have brought myself to cheer for the Bulls or the Lakers or the Yankees, even if their “fan experience” was better, whatever the hell that means. Real fans don’t need great hot dogs or cuter mascots or more folksy announcers singing during the 7th inning stretch. Real fans are there to watch the damn game. They love sports. And they love their cities, warts and all. Good riddance, ChicagoATL Dude. You’re a lost soul.

pjay

May 24th, 2010
2:16 pm

Jeff, the hotel/motel tax laws are written specifically to support trade/tourism/conventions, etc because it’s pd when someone rents a hotel room. It can’t be used to supplement other general fund expenses, so that fantasy of using it to support education and teachers salaries, by law, will never happen.
And I’m not one of those fans who feels that football has to be played outside and won’t go to a game in the middle of winter in an open stadium. The ice storm we had in Atl when we hosted the Super Bowl keeps us at the bottom of the list for future Super Bowl consideration, and an open stadium will probably remove us from the list permanently. Who the heck can enjoy a football game in the middle of a freezing ice storm?

JP

May 24th, 2010
2:23 pm

Larry, no the majority of Atlanta metro residents don’t like going into the city. Tell that to people in New Orleans, Austin, San Francisco, New York, Chicago….cities with a downtown WORTH going to. Atlanta has done a horrible job (even counting Turner Field and Phillips) of making downtown attractive and safe.

DLE

May 24th, 2010
2:24 pm

Appreciate the perspectives here, but let’s be honest. While almost all of us would prefer to see a college or professional football game in an outdoor stadium, with partly cloudy skies and 72 degree weather…that’s not reality. This is not San Diego. Those same fans who yell that football indoors stinks are the same ones who will stay home when they’re here in Atlanta and its 38 degrees and windy or 96 degrees with 95% humidity. I don’t need the emotional ‘badge of honor’ of sitting in extreme weather to back up my commitment as a fan.

The Ga Dome’s a heck of a facility that allows the overall best scenario for a football fan. Ideal? No. But you have to factor in in all extremes.

And while we’re at it…look bigger picture and not let the tail (or the feathers) wag the dog here. The Falcons play 8 regular season games and two pre-season games that generate revenue…mostly for Mr. Blank. Meanwhile the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the Chick-fil-A Kickoff and the SEC Championship represent three of the largest “conventions” in the city each year…and I guarantee you that those event organizers appreciate the quality of the Dome experience. Ask yourself if the city leaders would be happy with putting the $100 million+ of economic impact of these three events at risk…not to mention Final Fours, Conference BB tournaments, etc.

build it south....

May 24th, 2010
2:24 pm

let them build a new stadium, in the suburbs, but build it south of town instead of north. put it in hampton next to atlanta speedway. you have the new road infrastructure to handle the traffic. plenty of parking around the speedway. double billing of race and football weekend. most bad weather has a tendency to run up the i-85 corridor from columbus to the north of atlanta. change the name to the georgia falcons. let the braves play a few games there for s#*&@ and giggles. put in a high speed rail to bring all the town folks down. sounds like fun to me…….

ChicagoATL Guy

May 24th, 2010
2:28 pm

Truth Ruth – You’re getting pretty deep there. This isn’t about Chicago being a better city than Atlanta. It’s about sports. I still love Atlanta and there are things in Atlanta that Chicago and no other city can touch. I still yell at people if they try to give me a pepsi and tell ‘em that they haven’t lived untill they had a Chick Fil A and that pizza should be thin crust. But we are talking about sports and the fact is other cities do it better. So stop trying to make excuses and just say “Yeah pro football is much more exciting in Chicago, Green Bay, NY” and how we can get that here. The same goes for other pro sports. Believe me when my mid west buddies talk trash about college football I let them know that the SEC is where it’s at. So let’s not get all philosophical on me but I can’t help that I have a damn good time at a Bears game and maybe I wished that I had this much fun at a Falcons game but I didn’t. God I feel like I’m breaking up with my girlfriend or something.

florida falcon

May 24th, 2010
2:28 pm

@Buildnow- Interesting thoughts you put out there. In regards to the cities you mentioned. Orlando is too close to Tampa Bay. The Bucs would not want a team in their own division moving an hour away. Not to mention, that the Birds would commite business suicide moving next to a rival. LA- is soooooo cash strapped, that state is a few years from going belly up. A stadium is the last thing on their minds, not too mention that the birds would end up playing at the colloseum. A huge downgrade from the GA. Dome. San Antonio is interesting, the fans out there were so enamored when the Saints played their “home” game at the Alamo Dome a few years back. If the birds went there, they would end up playing inside a dome again. That is unless the city of San Antonio promises the Falcons a deal they could not resist.

David

May 24th, 2010
2:35 pm

Thats why you have a retractable roof….if we do this new stadium the way it needs to be done…we WILL get the World cup…we wont get the 2018 bid..we can forget about it..thats going to england…and FIFA has already stated that the next places they want to go it needs to have a stable infrastructure in place…and they were in ATL last year and loved ATL and loved the atmosphere they saw with the two sold out matches..We are already going to be the host site for the media for the WC if we get it in 2022..thats 60 million alone..If we get host site for WC thats 600 mill+..i think that will take care of the roof issue..WC generates roughly 2.8-4 billion dollars..i believe South africa has record numbers this year..

trust me if we build this stadium we will host the WC. Plain and simple. but im with the many its retractable roof or bust…and im with Schultz…we have a bunch of weather wimps around here!

Nope

May 24th, 2010
2:35 pm

And one additional comment. The Falcons’ desire is not designed in any way to generate a better product on the field. It is a financial play, plain and simple. The Falcons know that with their own stadium, built with government support, the profit margins are higher and the franchise continues to increase in value. Fans, beware. You’re thinking like a fan…the Falcons are thinking how they can charge you $10k for a PSL, $60 for parking, $12 for a beer and $110 for a Matt Ryan jersey. The price for an “outdoor” stadium is too high….in many ways.

Hamad Meander

May 24th, 2010
2:37 pm

A few facts: Georgia Dome was built in 1992 for $216,000,000. It is owned by the State of Georgia. It holds 71,228 for football, 26,000 for basketball, and held 53,600 for soccer. NFL Teams with smaller stadiums than the Falcons: Patriots, Vikings, & Bears. Teams with older stadiums: Bills, Dolphins, Chiefs, Saints, Chargers, & Vikings. You don’t need a bigger stadium to be successful. You don’t need a newer stadium to be successful. You don’t need an open stadium to be successful.

SOGADOG

May 24th, 2010
2:38 pm

You could play the SEC championship on the north pole and it would sell 90 thousand plus tickets.

Ain't that the Truth, Ruth

May 24th, 2010
2:40 pm

Chicago Dude—when someone switches their allegiances to teams so easily, it’s a character flaw bro. There’s nothing deep about it. Doesn’t take a psychology Ph.D. to figure it out. Go sit in bar full of lifetime Bears fans and say you grew up in Chicago and moved to San Diego three years ago and now you like the Chargers much better. They’ll think and tell you that you’re a pu**y. And if you want to act like I’m a girl with your double-meanings, that’s fine, bro. You’re the pu**y, not me. I’m out of here…

Outdoor Rules

May 24th, 2010
2:45 pm

Outdoor stadiums are the only way to go. A few games with bad weather? No big deal—Atl fans can tough it out. Just drink more beer or Jack Daniels and the weather will be no big deal!!!! Plus, the more Jack you drink, the less pain when the falcons lose!! It got me through the season last year. Just build an 80,000 seat stadium next to the Dome—raise sales taxes and it will be paid for in 2-3 years!!! Blank and McKay want the outdoor thing—so the city better pay up quick!

Buckhead Ed

May 24th, 2010
2:46 pm

Score the win for Ain’t that the Truth. Very good stuff.

otis

May 24th, 2010
2:48 pm

i just cant stand watching a football game and at the end of the game nobody is dirty.

Tom

May 24th, 2010
2:51 pm

Interesting that lots of folks would like the stadium moved to the ‘burbs. So if’s built on the other side of town from you, will you drive the extra miles? Which side of town gets slighted? A central location in optimal, unless you really like cheering for the Milton Falcons…. yeah… right…
Don’t call a team Atlanta if it’s not really in Atlanta!

Blood soaked worm

May 24th, 2010
3:00 pm

Schultzie…..Look at my comments regarding the Dome and notice they are not weather related.

Julius

May 24th, 2010
3:01 pm

As to the matter of indoor vs outdoor, I have been both a Falcon and UGA season ticket holder and there is a big difference in their seasons. The Dogs season is virtually over by Thanksgiving, which is when the weather usually takes a turn for the worse. I think there was a recent stretch of about three years that I never got a drop of rain on me in Athens. The Falcons, on the other hand, is a different story. There is nothing worse than the fog, rain and near-freezing temps to try to watch a game, not to mention the players slopping around in the mud on those December and January games. Then your field is torn up for the rest of the season. I don’t care for games that are decided by the “elements” I was a ticket sales committee chairman for my local Lion’s club, the original sponsor and founder of the Peach Bowl. The weather was so abysmal in December, you practically couldn’t GIVE the tickets away. It was just too an important, once-a-year event, to leave to the weather.Give me the Georgia Dome or a venue with a retractable roof vs the days of old Fulton County Stadium.

P. Bull Terrier

May 24th, 2010
3:01 pm

Call me a wimp if you like, but I don’t need to sit outside in the freezing rain to prove my manhood to a bunch of bloggers. It’s great going to a football game outside on a nice fall afternoon, but early season games when it’s still 90 degrees outside and late season games when it’s cold and rainy are a lot more enjoyable to watch when I’m comfortable. Money aside, a retractable roof would be the perfect solution. If that isn’t possible, save the cash and keep the Dome.

SKYROCK

May 24th, 2010
3:05 pm

As a Falcon fan, it would be nice to have the best of the best. I agree about having an outdoor stadium, but having a stadium that has the option would be ideal. Closing the roof on certain games to increase the noise factor is a plus for some teams. I would like that option and then you have the best of both worlds!!

ChicagoATL Guy

May 24th, 2010
3:05 pm

hahaha….”Allegiance” Truth Ruth….my allegiance is only to my country. I never swore allegaince to the falcons?! It’s because of guys like you that a New Yorker can come down, buy your beloved football club, provide a shatty team year after year with a shatty experience and still take your money. You’re too funny….I’m out. Go Blackhawks!

CW

May 24th, 2010
3:07 pm

I agree with your prerequisite that no tax dollars be used for a new stadium. I have a vague recollection that a study of the economic impact of stadiums conducted several years ago concluded there was little to no positive economic impact. Also, as we lay off teachers and watch our education system get decimated, or infrastructure deteriorate (bridges, potholes, sewer systems), I would much rather use scarce funds for those sectors rather than to support a stadium for drug enhanced athletes with drug enhanced perfromances making tons of money (for themselves and their pro teams, or for colleges). Those that want sports teams (and all the other things that go with them such as stadiums) should pay for them and not burden the rest of society.

Frank

May 24th, 2010
3:13 pm

Another New Stadium…for WHAT???

City of Atlanta is too STUPID not to fund it to keep it in the City Limits and that is why we do not go to town. We wonder shy the City of Atlanta Population is shrinking….

Larry

May 24th, 2010
3:13 pm

It’s clear Chicago ATL is an ant-Semite with his veiled references to “a New Yorker” and “take your money.” Who needs you here? You make me sick.

RG

May 24th, 2010
3:14 pm

It really sucks to tailgate for several hours in beautiful fall weather and then have to go inside to watch a football game.

David

May 24th, 2010
3:15 pm

CW, you started off well then went all extreme on us…

Paddy O

May 24th, 2010
3:21 pm

ChicagoATL did not grow up here in GA – he is BSing every one of you. Bears, Bulls, Cubs & BlackHawks have stunk the 15 years -every one of ‘em. Chicago is the second city, although the neon in O’Hare is cool. You think ATL has poverty & problems? Chicago has that amplified by about 5 – plus lousy weather, rotten roads and dilapidated buildings (sort of like the residential areas of Philly).

ShortBravesFan

May 24th, 2010
3:22 pm

I don’t care about getting a new stadium. I care about getting to the playoffs, making it to the superbowl, and FINALLY winning a superbowl! Then we can talk about a new stadium! GO FaLcOnS!!!!!!

Paddy O

May 24th, 2010
3:23 pm

Frank – i think the pop over the last decade is up. The prior 50 years was primarily white flight, which was not too surprising. However, ATL’s downtown is crappy compared to major cities like Chicago, NY, even New Orleans. No there, there, if you know what I mean – this is what happens when your city is run by business men.

MariettaMark

May 24th, 2010
3:26 pm

Oh m gawd….how did we go from talking about one city’s pro sports being more exciting than anothers to antisemitism and the poverty level between two towns. It’s just sports folks. A bunch of grown millionaires throwing around a ball.

DrJ

May 24th, 2010
3:27 pm

Surprise ! Actually, Arthur wrote the article. A lot depends on how the financial responsibilities are worded. If Atlanta goes into a recessionary mode, and the hotels and motels can’t pay, then who is ultimately responsible. If it is the city or the state of Ga, then it becomes the taxpayers. If it says that when the hotels and motels can’t hack it, that Arthur pays… that sounds ok. The Falcons franchise has only increased in value throughout the many losing seasons, so it has been a solid investment for the owners.

Dan

May 24th, 2010
3:28 pm

Actually Paddy O Atlanta is what happens when the city is run by crooked politicians. Business is why those other cities were able to create a vibe and a feel to there intown venues, business thrieves around most of them. Atlanta? the only business that thrives due to games is parking

MrHughes

May 24th, 2010
3:30 pm

I love how people say they’d love an open air stadium like they’d love to eat a triple cheesburger with all the fixings and bacon on top. It looks really good, but after you digest all that meaty goodness you can’t help but have an upset stomach along with some gas. Who do you expect to pay for this stadium? The GA Dome bonds aren’t paid for yet? The GA Dome was opened 1991. And, it’s still not paid for… My taxes are high enough. Ticket prices are high enough!! The financial documents should favor the state of Georgia. They built, own, and operate the GA Dome. They (we) are on the hook for the bill if things don’t work out, not the Falcons. Think about that… some of you are talking about screwing yourselves in the way of higher taxes for a football team. I don’t care if the Falcons are at the bottom of the Forbes list. The stadium should benefit the people that pay for it. In other words, the Dome was built using public money and the proceeds that come from its operation should go back into public coffers. That should be the norm, not the exception! I’m not going to lose sleep over a billionaries profitability. He’s given away over 100 million dollars. We don’t need to give it back to him in the form of a football stadium and then cry poverty as a state while the money from it’s operation goes into his pockets while we are left holding the bill. That’s like cosigning for a car for someone and letting them drive it all over, continuing to pay the note, having them ask you for gas money, talk about getting something new, and getting indignant/treating what you paid for like it’s theirs because they put in an air freshner and some fuzzy dice. At what point is it enough?

I don’t want to pay for another stadium so I can sit outside 10 times a year. If you want to sit out side, then go to the park and take a portable TV with you. The beauty of the GA Dome is that you can come in jeans and a tshirt and not worry about dressing like you are going on an expedition to the north pole. Gameday experience is not about how old or nice a stadium is. Fenway park is a hole. The same for Wrigley and Dodger Stadium. Would you rather see a game at Cameron Indoor, The Dean Smith Center, or the new facilities built by NC State and Virginia? What about Lambeau Field/Arrowhead/Qualcomm or University of Phoenix/Reliant Stadium? It’s really a simple answer. I’d rather go for the nice atmosphere. The GA Dome provides a fine atmosphere. And, as a season ticket holder I remmber the rainey days at Fulton County. The atmosphere at the Dome has been better than it was at Fulton County.

I don’t buy that glory of the game football is meant to be played in the elements bull either. I went to school in Massachussetts. It’s not fun drinking to just stay warm. Playing with snow at a football game is overrated. I don’t buy the you are going through it with your team while they are playing on a field with heating coils under it, heated benches, helmet warmers, $300+ jackets, a heated lockerroom, underarmour everything, and space heaters on the sidelines. Where’s the fans heaters? In the bathroom next the the trough of urine? Where’s my free underarmour for going through it with the team? Where’s my heated seat? John Madden and the like sell you that garbage while they sit in a heated press box. I ain’t buying!!

FUZZUP

May 24th, 2010
3:30 pm

Who cares if the falcons leave town ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Rock

May 24th, 2010
3:32 pm

IT DOESN”T MATTER if Blank gets a new stadium or not. If you SMELLLL what the rock is cooking.

dean

May 24th, 2010
3:35 pm

SOGADOG @ 2:38pm: THAT’S funny. And True!

CW

May 24th, 2010
3:43 pm

Dear David, I agree, I let my disappointment in sports in general take over. In the past 12 months I have become increasingly disillusioned with pro sports and more recently with college sports. Sorry for getting getting carried away.

Hamad Meander

May 24th, 2010
3:47 pm

MrHughes – beautiful soap-box speech! Let’s be honest here. Outdoor football is fine for about 3 games a season. The rest are either hot as hell, rainy, or cold and wet. The State of Georgia should sell the Georgia Dome to Arthur Blank for $216,000,000 million (a really good deal), let him renovate it to get the most money out of it, let him rent it to the NCAA and SEC, and ACC for college games and he’ll make a crapload of money on it. I can’t imagine a hundred million dollars couldn’t make the Dome the best football watching facility in the South and that would put you less than three times cheaper than Dallas spent on their state-of-the-art and ridiculously expensive to attend games JerryDome.

FalconFlyer

May 24th, 2010
3:48 pm

Sounds to me like Jeff Schultz is, or has been all along…kissing Mr. Blank’s AZZ on this one. The Dome is Home! Leave it as is! Go Falcons!

MrHughes

May 24th, 2010
3:51 pm

He won’t go to Gwinnett. There’s not enough space or infrastructure to support a 70K facility. The next facility is going to seat somewhere around 65K-70K people. The Arena at Gwinnett Center has traffic troubles when 4K people go for TNA Wrestling. That area can’t handle a NFL sized football stadium. Plus, you are already hearing Gwinnetians gripe about the Braves building a stadium in their backyard. He’ll likely put his MLS stadium there and that will be it. No way that the Falcons go to Gwinnett. Gwinnett can’t afford to build a football stadium anyways if they are using bonds for the Braves thing. The County Commission lost all kinds of politcal capital by making that secret deal with the Braves.

Art can’t afford to build and run his own stadium. Stadiums are very very expensive when you realize that they sit empty aproximately 98% of the year. Would you pay a $325 per month car note on a vehicle you could only drive 10 days a year? Multiply that $325 by 15,384 and think of it on that scale. Art will get GA Dome 2.0 on the existing Dome site when the state is ready to replace the GA Dome. The Falcons will play at Sanford or Bobby Dodd for a couple of years and we will have a new facility that benefits the public good and still puts money in public coffers. The new facility won’t be put in location a worse than the Ga Dome. The Dome has 3 interstate highways intersect within 5 miles of it, Marta access, and the massive infrastructure of downtown Atlanta (Northside Dr, Courtland, Williams St, International Blvd, Piedmont Rd, North Ave, Ponce De Leon, Marietta St, 10th St, 17th Street, Peachtree St). That can’t compare to I-85, 985, Sugarloaf Parkway, and some county roads.

J-man

May 24th, 2010
3:58 pm

Well, I may hold a minority opinion, but if the Falcons build an outdoor stadium, it’s possible that I will never see them play again. I could live with a retractable roof, but the Falcons don’t like that idea.

Whatever happens, I’m sure the tax payers will end footing the bill for almost all of it.

Ted Striker

May 24th, 2010
3:58 pm

Not for a new stadium unless it’s funded without a special hotel-motel tax. That’s still a tax.

PaulD

May 24th, 2010
4:14 pm

Once again I read comments from people who just don’t get it…

The Hotel/Motel Bed tax has already passed – it was voted for by the citizens of Atlanta – suburban residents do not get to vote on Atlanta city issues. The tax has ALREADY been extended to 2045. It is designated for STADIUM PAYMENTS ONLY – if it does not go to the stadium, it can NOT be assigned to other needs. If the new stadium is not built inside the Atlanta City Limits, the tax proceeds can NOT be used to pay for it. So the Hotel/Motel tax already is going to this issue – however, the comment about how the tax will not fund both is correct – there is a limit to these funds.

No additional tax can be applied to the stadium built inside the City limits WITHOUT a vote by the Atlanta taxpayers – again, suburban residents need not apply. Tax issues for schools, hospitals, etc. are on the ballot every single vote and the majority DO pass. However, the use of those taxes are NOT designated in a way such as the Hotel/Motel tax is and the bureaucrats have a tendency to mismanage those funds away from the intended use (refer to Georgia Lottery Funds for HOPE scholarships)

The remainder of the costs will be born by Arthur Blank – but in truth, it will be the people who purchase the tickets. No new stadium has been built of this projected size WITHOUT a PTL and none will – face it, whether we build a new stadium or re-model the old, a PTL is coming. Will the fans support it, remains to be seen. No one ever thought a Superbowl ticket would have a face value of $1000 either but now they do and it still sells out in seconds.

JSS

May 24th, 2010
4:40 pm

@ Ted Striker
Bingo,
http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/94639334.html
FALCONS SEEKING NEW STADIUM
May 21, 2010 by Associated Press
ATLANTA — Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay said Friday the team wants a new stadium within seven years, but it doesn’t appear the Georgia Dome is going away.

Frank Poe, the executive director of the Georgia World Congress Center which manages the Georgia Dome, told The Associated Press on Friday the facility may be renovated, but it won’t be torn down. He said the dome simply is too valuable as a revenue-producer.

Poe said a new open-air stadium for the Falcons would complement, not replace, the Georgia Dome, which opened in 1992.

“If there is a second stadium we still have to keep the Georgia Dome in operation,” Poe said.

He said the Georgia Dome must be kept to draw such events as the Chick-fil-A Bowl, Southeastern Conference football championship game and SEC basketball tournaments in 2011 and 2014. The Georgia Dome has been home to two Super Bowls and will host its third Final Four in 2013.

Only 10 of the 106 Georgia Dome events in 2009 were Falcons games, including eight regular-season games, according to the GWCC.

The SEC has a contract to stage its football championship game in the facility through 2015.

Only 10 of 106 events, amazing that certain people want to sink another $700 million in Bond issues for a stadium? If you believe Arthur Blank can build a new stadium with the accouterments that will enhance the “game day experience” that will make it worth it for less that $500 to 750 million good for you… It is not going to happen…

When GA sold $700 million in Bonds last October, the credit rating agencies were already screaming and threatening the State’s AAA bond rating… That would mean more than half of a 1.4 billion dollar bond float would be for a football stadium! Does that not sound stupid and foolish?

Hamad Meander

May 24th, 2010
4:44 pm

My previous comment didn’t make it, so here it goes again. Folks nostalgic for the times of old, where the Falcons played outside – I don’t get it. In Atlanta, the weather goes from HOT in September to wet/cold/crappy in November/December. You really only have one month (October) where outside football is superior to inside football. The GA Dome is a fine facility for the Falcons in that we have a fan base that isn’t going to be as excited about going to see the team in inhospitable conditions. Don’t blame the fans for this! The only reason people go to games in Chicago or Green Bay when it’s 20 degrees and snowing is that they don’t know any different!

My suggestion is still the best – sell the Dome to Arthur for $216,000,000. Effectively paying back the taxpayers of GA for the Dome. Let him renovate and rent the Dome to the SEC, ACC, and NCAA to host events. Make the seats and luxury suites exactly how you want them, and make a ton of money. I can’t imagine that $100,000,000 wouldn’t make a real nice GA Dome, and you would still be more than three times less than Dallas paid for JerryDome.

Scoots

May 24th, 2010
4:54 pm

Retro-fit the Dome!

My god, do we really need Turner Field, Philips Arena, the Dome and an additional Falcons stadium? Spend some money to fix up the dome with a retractable roof, rearrange some of the seats/boxes to fit the market so Blank can make some more money, and add some better amenities; and let’s just use what we’ve got.

I’d love to watch some Falcons games outdoors in the fall – that would be great- but I’ll take the current Dome over unnecessarily building an additional stadium.

puki2

May 24th, 2010
6:16 pm

No,no,no, and hell no. There’s no need for a new stadium anywhere not downtown and not in the suburbs. The one you’ve got is good enough. “Pro” ball players are gettin’ to be real “wusses”, can’t play baseball in the sun nor football in the snow and for all that they’re paid entirely too much!! It’s all escalating way too high!! no need for coctail lounges and over – priced beer. You get a hot dog & a coke or a bag of peanuts & a 7-up. My advice to the fans,… pull your money back and make these “wusses” earn their keep and stop blowin it up their …..

tyger

May 24th, 2010
9:19 pm

He can move the Falcoons to Birmingham for all I care, I got the NFL Package baby!

JR1967

May 24th, 2010
9:21 pm

When did Mr. Blank change the spelling of his first name to “Arhtur”?

Jim Ragan

May 24th, 2010
9:24 pm

If a new stadium fails to be built, I guess the Falcons future new theme song will be “I Love LA”

Chip

May 24th, 2010
9:41 pm

Grew up in Atlanta and now back here but was In Nashville when the Oilers/Titans moved up & I like the way they did LP Field. PSL’s paid for the bulk and it is a nice set up (except for the flood earlier this month). Plus that stadium can get as loud as any dome I have been in.

waw

May 24th, 2010
10:07 pm

Design a simple, classy, beautiful outdoor stadium – the exact opposite of the McDallas Dome – and Falcon’s facility would be an inspiration.

Rone

May 24th, 2010
10:31 pm

Why put the a new stadium downtown instead of in the ‘burbs? Simple. Most all burbinites commute five days a week from a half hour to an hour and a half each way. If you make this trip for your job, then why not for an enjoyable football game?
In addition, I agree with the retractable roof. This makes perfect economic sense, and provides shelter for the (pun intended) fairweather fans of Atlanta.

Atlanta Falcons New Stadium | Venue Insider

May 24th, 2010
10:59 pm

[...] Read more from Jeff Schultz at blogs.ajc.com [...]

Matt 4

May 24th, 2010
11:19 pm

Check it out. If and when the Falcons build a new stadium it will sell out every game the first year just because of the fact that it’s new. Then if the Falcons put a even better product than they did in the 08 season people will keep coming back. I like the retractable roof idea however it cost A LOT more money. I think a new stadium would be great for Atlanta, the economy and tourism rates would rise. I have never liked the dome. I believe with a new stadium will bring things like super bowl, NCAA Games and Soccer.

Dookie

May 24th, 2010
11:26 pm

All the same people saying that the game should be played outdoors are the same ones who won’t be there in the rain or snow. As someone from the northeast, who has weathered the bad-weather games in person, rain and snow are fun to watch on TV, not in person. If they can’t sell out the dome as it is, they won’t sell out an open-air stadium on a hot, cold, or rainy/snowy day. Rectractable roof, Period. Can’t afford it?…then wait 5 years and revisit the issue.

The Other Jeff

May 24th, 2010
11:34 pm

To Jeff Schultz, and any of you who agree with his six points, PLEASE take note of the following rebuttal:

1. Yes, we know Mr. Blank would like more “revenue opportunities” with a new stadium, but let’s face facts: WINNING TEAMS GENERATE ATTENDANCE AND MONEY, BUILDINGS DON’T!!! Yes, Houston has a beautiful stadium… watch the Texans go 6-10 for five more years and see how much of an “advantage” it is. Detroit has new digs, and they suck. Conversely, Dallas played in creaky 40-year-old Texas Stadium for YEARS and it didn’t seem to hurt them in the mid 1990s, did it? My point: if you build a new stadium, they will come, but if your team stinks on ice, they won’t be coming 5 years from now. But a CHAMPIONSHIP team can fill up ANY stadium. My example: the 1991 Atlanta Braves. Go back in time and try to get a seat in Atlanta-Fulco in August of that year. An old stadium didn’t bother Atlanta’s teams back THEN.

1.A. I don’t buy the competitive disadvantage argument at ALL. The reason Atlanta hasn’t done as well in recent years as Dallas or Philly or the Giants or Tampa or whoever is because those teams had better DEFENSES, NOT better stadiums!

2. I agree, Blank or another private entity or a hotel-motel tax are not only the BEST ways to finance a new stadium, they are the ONLY fair and legitimate way. Any other method, where you’d take tax dollars from Georgia citizens, is highway robbery. Pro sports owners are millionaires and billionaires… let ‘em build their own d*** stadium.

3. I’m a die-hard sports fan and I LOVE domed stadiums. Schultz said “The elements should be part of a football game.” Yes, if you’re playing a pickup game, fine. If you’re going to a high school game and paid $5 for a ticket, fine. If you’re paying $85 PER TICKET, not including parking, $5 hot dogs and $8 beers, sleet and snow and a wet seat for your wife to sit in are NOT COOL. Outdoor games are fun in good weather — they SUCK in a cold rain, unless you’re wasted… and in that case, why are you paying $85 a ticket just to get drunk???

4. At this point, Schultz lost his mind. My god, stadiums these days HAVE to think of other events to host, not just football games! What, the stadium is gonna bank enough cash from 8 Falcons home dates? Sorry Jeff, Atlanta NEEDS a place where U2 and Bon Jovi and AC/DC and Nickelback will come play… where are they gonna go play, Eddie’s Attic? You said “Hate basketball and concerts in 70,000-seat venues. Is this supposed to be about attendance records or fan experience? And I’m certainly not worried that the SEC championship is going to wither if the game is moved to an outdoor venue.”

Ummm, Jeff, that is WHY the SEC moved its title game from a beautiful, old, OUTDOOR stadium in Birmingham to Atlanta… FOR THE MONEY MAKING ABILITY OF A DOME!!! The Final Four and SEC championship and mega-concerts and huge exhibitions are not coming to Atlanta without the Georgia Dome, and our community should NOT suffer because clods like you “just like football outdoors.” Egads, that is shallow.

5. Downtown is better than suburbs? Jeff, I have never been panhandled at Gwinnett Place Mall or Town Center or the Marietta Square. I fear for my life walking past Centennial Park to a parking lot. You said “Suburban venues stink. They don’t have a vibe. Ted Turner’s decision to build Philips Arena downtown helped revive downtown.” Dude, DOWNTOWN VENUES DON’T HAVE TO HAVE A ‘VIBE’!!! People go for a fun, safe, enjoyable experience and to see their favorite team win or favorite concert. I don’t give a S*** about “vibe”. And Philips Arena did NOT revive downtown… every time I go, me and 20,000 other suburbanites go to our game or concert then flock the heck out of there.

6. What you said about McKay is irrelevant. The bottom line is this: The Georgia Dome is PERFECTLY FINE for what it does: host 8 Falcons games a year. The EXTRA stuff — the SEC championship, GHSA state finals, NCAA basketball Final Fours, concerts, conventions, etc. — all of THAT is predicated on having a roof overhead so that a spring thunderstorm or pelting cold November rain does not ruin an event for ticketholders and sponsors.

Ask Atlanta folks if they appreciate the dollars that come in from all of those things. Now ask if they want to take it all away so you and a few dozen others can drink beer and go “wooo-hoooo” in the rain at a Falcons game in early December. Case closed, I win, the next stadium (five years from now) SHOULD BE a Dome or a retractable roof facility.

You want an outdoor venue? Go to Turner Field or Sanford Stadium or Grant Field. You want a successful venue that brings money to Georgia? KEEP THE ROOF!

COME....ON

May 24th, 2010
11:54 pm

Correct the problem, Build it outdoors, make sure there’s room to tailgate, football indoors is not football, we have great weather here.
Season ticket holder for 13 years until UGA ticket became avalible and they traded Matt S. Build it outdoors and I’ll purchase season tickets. Do it ! Don’t talk about it Aurthur…. Just do it !!!
Oh yeah, do it with your money, no worries… you’ll make it back 10 fold.
By the way, no one gives a damn if it’s downtown or not. There’s a great spot off Best Friend road!
Native, never go downtown, not since they closed down penny a beer – Nickle a drink night every Wednesday.

The Other Jeff

May 24th, 2010
11:57 pm

And by the way, the bottom line on this issue should be this: This is a team that is owned by ARTHUR BLANK, not Atlanta… so HE should pay for WHATEVER he wants to build. But let’s remember… WE’RE TALKING ABOUT 8 FOOTBALL GAMES A YEAR, maybe 12-13 if you include preseason and playoffs. IN NO WAY can anyone justify the hundreds of MILLIONS of dollars that would be spent just for THIS. A baseball stadium, I can see (81 dates a year, minimum)… a hoops/hockey arena, I can see (about 80-90 dates between the two)… but NOT for 8 football games.

On a side note: one of the best Falcons games I remember was 2008 against the Rams, with the Falcons and the fans GIDDY about being in the playoffs… that whole game was loud, like a party. And my 65-year-old dad LOVED that we were not out in the pouring rain that day. Flash back to the FIRST Falcons game we ever went to together — it was Nov. 25, 1979, and the Saints won 37-6… it was FRIGID and pouring rain and we were SOAKED and miserable… my dad took me home in the third quarter because we were shivering.

We also went to the Georgia Bulldogs bowl game in Nashville against Boston College on Dec. 28, 2001… that was the COLDEST we’ve ever been at a sporting event… it was MISERABLE. Temps in the 30s and a steady wind made it even colder. And my dad also tells me about going to some VERY cold Peach Bowl games in Atlanta in the early 1970s.

So, “outdoor football” ain’t all it’s cracked up to be… in Miami, maybe, but in Atlanta, you have a chance at all kinds of weather. And when I’m paying $60, $80, $100 PER TICKET, I want my butt dry and my ears not to freeze. That’s why domes were INVENTED, so let’s take advantage of that!

You want Falcons football outside? Fine, go play their games at Parkview or Brookwood. I will take my games indoors, thank you.

COME....ON

May 24th, 2010
11:58 pm

The other Jeff; You suck!!!!! Get a life. No one cares about your 6 points, Football is not about making Money for the city. It is about having fun…… screw the dome

The Other Jeff

May 25th, 2010
12:01 am

Note to COME…ON : you said we have “great weather here”… what city do you live in?

I went to the UGA-Tech game in November 2008 and it was MISERABLE… pouring rain, cold, and windy. It was a disgusting day and I hated teh whole experience. I went to a road game a few years ago, at Clemson, and it was so hot and stifling that people were getting sick and passing out. Went to a Tech Thursday night home game a few years back and nearly froze my butt off. Where is this “great weather” you are talking about?

For a college game, I might endure it… but for close to $100 a pop for a pro game, sorry dude, the Falcons owner can build me a damn roof.

The Other Jeff

May 25th, 2010
12:04 am

COME…ON : obviously, you are some uneducated hick who cares nothing about economics or our Atlanta community. My six points spelled out, with reasoning, why we do NOT need an outdoor stadium. Your counterpoint was “you suck”. Nice to know I’m reasoning with a third-grader who could not even spell “nickel” correctly in your post at 11:54 p.m. Perhaps you should put down the Jack Daniels and think of the myriad reasons why Atlanta does NOT need to have this kind of investment and tax burden and relocation argument at this time.

Dookie

May 25th, 2010
12:04 am

Come…On: Though ‘The other Jeff’ is a bit long-winded, his points are much stronger than yours.

The Other Jeff

May 25th, 2010
12:05 am

And if you hate the Dome so much, good, you go sit in the hot sun and boil in September… I’ll gladly take your ticket and watch the Falcons in the comfort of a nice, and might I say VERY adequate, Georgia Dome.

The Other Jeff

May 25th, 2010
12:07 am

Thanks Dookie — I do have a tendency to write long, I apologize.

Your points were very good as well… you were DEAD ON about the people not coming to games in bad weather… happens all the time in outdoor venues.

Your final point summed it up best: “Rectractable roof, Period. Can’t afford it?…then wait 5 years and revisit the issue.” AMEN BROTHER!!!!!

Dreman1731

May 25th, 2010
12:24 am

Why is everybody so whiny about the stadium being downtown???? If you’re too scared to come downtown, move to Atlanta and help make a difference or just shut up about it. Like Schultz said, Atlanta has so far from the past, but some people just want to live in the past. How often is it you hear a Falcons, Braves, Thashers or Hawks fan attacked after a game or before, you really don’t. You know why, because there are tons of security. You guys are scared to tailgate anyway, if it rained or snowed, you’ll run to your cars and drive home. Doraville is not going to allow a stadium in their backyard, it’ll be a mess out there with 285 and 85. And Dekalb County has other business to tend, so they’re not pushing Doraville at all. There are no nice hotels are there, could you see an SEC game here, people staying downtown and riding way out there to the stadium? Are you serious? Or any other event for that matter. Atlanta is a perfect location like it is now, it’s in the middle, so people from all four corners of the city can converge on one central location. Could you imagine leaving church and having to drive those extra miles to the stadium, you can’t ride the train and tailgate from your car…I feel that the Falcons should PONY up the money for a retractable roof and get it done!!

The Other Jeff

May 25th, 2010
12:34 am

You make some good points Dreman1731… as to my view, allow me to clarify: I’m not saying those of us who don’t live downtown are AFRAID to go downtown… I’m saying that we don’t LIKE to go down there because it’s a HASSLE. You can’t just walk to a nearby TGI Friday’s or Hooters or Dave & Buster’s and have a drink and wait for traffic to clear out… you have to go get in your car and sit in traffic because there is ONE way in and ONE way out for most suburbanites. Take a wrong turn and you’ll end up on Griffin Street or Pryor Street or Rhodes Street or Lowery Blvd. or in Vine City, and THAT can be dangerous.

And it is NOT a long drive from downtown to “the suburbs”… what, 20-30 minutes? And how many Falcons season ticket holders are FROM downtown? I’d say 70-80 percent are from the ‘burbs.

Finally, it is NOT a big deal to have a stadium 20 minutes out from downtown hotels… you really think the people that come for the SEC championship football game STAY downtown and walk places? Heck no! The Florida fans I know come here, stay in a MUCH better priced hotel in the ‘burbs, then rent a car. They love going to visit places in Gwinnett, Marietta, Decatur, Monroe, Douglasville, etc. and then driving back to their hotel. Getting around Atlanta is NOT that hard with a map. And they pay 1/3 for hotels outside the perimeter than they would if they stayed downtown.

I know the city of Atlanta folks want desperately to keep the stadium there, but they have to recognize that it’s a business… and if most of your clients live out in the ‘burbs, why not take your product there? You don’t seen the Falcons training facilities downtown, do you? Nope, they are… you guessed it… in the suburbs.

The Other Jeff

May 25th, 2010
12:48 am

And Dreman1731, I DO agree with you that the Falcons SHOULD pony up and pay for it… don’t try to guilt taxpayers into funding this. And a retractable roof makes the MOST SENSE… keep it open for nice days, but on cold, rainy, sleeting, nasty days, at least have an option to close it up.

dan

May 25th, 2010
1:49 am

PLEASE!!! ANYWHERE but Gwinnett! God I hate that county!Freakin Republicanville USA!

Hot Tuna

May 25th, 2010
2:43 am

Empty club seats by the thousands….Winning seasons and deep runs in the playoffs,Super Bowl appearances and Super Bowl victories will cure this..Worried about fan attendence in outdoor venue..See above formula..In the words of Al Davis “Just win baby”.

T.A.

May 25th, 2010
2:46 am

After reading these comments, I find it so funny that some of these people on here seriously expect a new stadium to go out to the suburbs, especially the northern suburbs. The northern suburbs are home to the worst traffic in the metro area and virtually no rail connections (except North Springs and Doraville, which are both areas that are generally developed.) If we look at land space alone, the southern suburbs would be the best bet. Looking at more than just the land space factor, I’d say none of the suburbs are suited for a stadium. There’s no easy way to get from suburb to suburb unless you’re driving a vehicle. With thousands of people watching games, people would never make it with the lack of mass transportation we have metro-wide. Therefore, I believe that if a new stadium was to be built, it will be built Downtown. My belief is supported by the existing MARTA system (both rail and buses), ample parking, and the current arrangement of the interstate system in the area.

JDL

May 25th, 2010
4:33 am

I say leave the Dome where it is, hello to Falcon Stadium, finishing saying goodbye to Herndon Homes & cover up that huge waste of space parking lot.

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Hamad Meander

May 25th, 2010
11:21 am

The Other Jeff – love your points. You are the man! You are absolutely correct about people really not wanting to pay $85.00 a ticket to go sit on a wet, cold seat to watch football. Winning will solve all problems. More revenue, more people in the seats, more continued success. If they only had me in the draft room picking their rookies…..

Sell the Dome to Arthur. Let him renovate, own, rent out, and do whatever he wants to the roof. It’s got good bones, it’s in a GREAT location and it hosts 100 events a year. It’s a great venue, and it still holds a lot of value to the people of Atlanta.

Outdoor Rules

May 25th, 2010
4:00 pm

Blank and McKay want an outdoor stadium, and that’s all that matters. Blank owns the team and should get what he wants. Atlanta better pay for it, or he’ll get mad and move the team to some city that will give him $600 million to build it. Atlanta’s always behind the times—get the money out and pay up!

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May 25th, 2010
4:37 pm

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4:37 pm

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Gungie

May 25th, 2010
5:28 pm

First of all..a lot of us think it is too dangerous to go downtown for football (falcons) or baseball..parking sucks…and having to park in some of those neighborhoods is just not worth risking your family getting robbed or killed.. having your tire slashed and then having to wait for a repair truck to come it just isn’t worth it. If there was a safe enviroment it wouldn’t matter if the team was not a super bowl team, people would come out for the total experience of food fun and the game. Give us a safe place to go and they will come. The bottom line is.. It is not safe

Pay the Money

May 25th, 2010
10:20 pm

It will take a ton of money to keep the falcons—$700 million for a new stadium is worth every penny. The city needs to pay up quick and do what blank wants.

Jalen

May 27th, 2010
10:15 pm

I remember games at the old Fulton County Stadium.

Scorching heat sitting in the sun side of field first half of season.

Our good old southern thunderstorms blowing through any second.

Terrible late season weather games.

Trust me, we DO NOT want to go back to outdoor football in Atlanta. Attendance would PLUMMET, in addition to revenue from all the other events a dome can have.

Build a retractable roof dome! Thats best option.

Fiddlesticks

June 1st, 2010
11:20 am

Built it and his (arthur’s) money will come.

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How is Falcons’ stadium with no taxpayer liability a problem?

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