Falcons can have new building — as long as they pay for it
The Georgia Dome is only 20 years old and just fine as a sports venue. (AJC photo)
This is the way it used to work in sports: Build a stadium for a sports team. Decades later, when it grew old and weathered and shingles began to fall from the roof and maybe the rats began to build condominiums, there would be discussion about tearing it down and starting over.
This is the way it works now in sports: Build a stadium for a sports team. A decade or two later (maybe), when the building ceases in its perceived ability to generate enough revenue for the sports owner, then it’s time to build a new one to make him happy.
There is an increasing likelihood that the Georgia Dome, which opened 20 years ago, is going to be torn down, giving way to a retractable roof stadium. The cost of the new palace: $947 million. This assumes it doesn’t go up (which it will) or Groupon doesn’t run a special on stadium seats and drink holders.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank has long ago expressed his desire for a new stadium, and as a general rule when self-made billionaires express an interest in something, they get it. Give the man credit for this: He’s probably going to pull this off without once alienating the public by threatening to move his team to Los Angeles, Toronto or London, or just selling it to Winnipeg. That’s not an easy feat.
As Blank has said to me on a few occasions about the stadium issue, “It’s kind of like making sausage.” In other words, it’s best to just enjoy the finished product rather than focus on the ugly details of how it came to be.
But there’s something wrong with this. There’s something wrong when a perfectly good building is scheduled to be detonated. There’s something wrong when even one taxpayer dollar – let alone $300 million – is used toward somebody’s football stadium. Do we have other economic issues, or is that all just a political smear campaign?
Blank, like any owner, wants to generate more revenue. (AP photo)
Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against the Falcons having a new stadium. I certainly have nothing against Blank, who has been as strong and beloved of a sports owner as this city ever has had. It’s difficult not to like Blank as a person, a businessman and a sports fan. He is passionate and generous. He is neither a corporate logo nor a buffoon, two things we see far too much of in sports ownership.
It’s also easy to understand Blank’s position on this: He can’t generate enough revenue in the Georgia Dome – enough being relative to the giant ATM-like stadiums that exist in Dallas, Washington and New York. The Georgia Dome doesn’t have enough suites, enough signage, enough martini bars. It’s the reason the Falcons’ overall value pales in comparison to that of other NFL franchises.
But the Georgia Dome is just fine for spectators. It’s just fine for teams. It’s just fine for a Final Four or a monster truck race or a trade show. Nobody is affected by the fact that it doesn’t make a sufficient “cha-ching” sound for the Falcons other than the Falcons’ owner.
New buildings are nice. But the Falcons are a private business, not a post office or a branch of government. I just happen to believe that business owners should pay for the building that houses their business. I know – such a quaint and novel thought.
It’s true that Blank and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority are going to be partners in this venture. But the fact remains that the GWCC would not be seeking a new building if the Falcons didn’t want one. It shouldn’t matter that the $300 million contribution for the proposed new stadium is coming from a hotel-motel sales tax and therefore not directly coming out of the pockets of most Atlanta residents. I’m just as angry any time I travel to another city and have to pay a tax for a stadium or arena there for the same reason.
Too many stadiums are being built today because cities are held hostage by sports franchises — and I say this somebody who grew up as a sports fan and makes their living covering the teams.
A new stadium would look lovely, yes. But the Georgia Dome isn’t a scar on downtown. Other areas of downtown are the scars. What’s being done about that? Would $300 million help?
The building isn’t crumbling. Our priorities are.
By Jeff Schultz
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460 comments Add your comment
GaEgghead
April 25th, 2012
9:31 pm
I went to downtown/underground Atl recently and there were many strange people with many strange ideas about all kinds of different/strange stuff. I felt rather uncomfortable. I don’t like going downtown, but I would go to more Falcons games if didn’t have to go downtown.
dbalcer
April 25th, 2012
9:32 pm
Well said. The hings that could be achieved with that money are mindboggling I hope wise minds prevail.
New Bobby Dodd
April 25th, 2012
9:32 pm
Deed the Dome to Georgia Tech and rename it Bobby Dodd Stadium. Build a new stadium for the Falcons.
dbalcer
April 25th, 2012
9:32 pm
Things not hings
GStateBen
April 25th, 2012
9:32 pm
Whay about Georgia State???.
Merrill Guice
April 25th, 2012
9:33 pm
Knock down the Georgia Dome and let the Football Championship games return to South Georgia where they belong.
phil
April 25th, 2012
9:33 pm
I’m just astounded.
The place is only 20 yrs old.
Spare me the revenue bull…..
kreedham
April 25th, 2012
9:34 pm
I heard years ago from a reliable source that a retractable roof was considered for the Georgia Dome but at the time it was considered too expensive (I heard $50 million)…now to retrofit, which obviously, isn’t being considered it would be 3-4 times that.
Fenway Park just turned 100. Nobody’s asking for a new stadium there…Before you know it Liberty Media (or whomever) will be wanting to demolish Turner Field and build a new stadium where the old one was!
Enough already! GWCC should rework the deal to help Arthur Blank but a new stadium NO!
superDawg
April 25th, 2012
9:34 pm
NUFF SAID!
GSU!
April 25th, 2012
9:34 pm
Rename the Ga Dome the Panther Den and give it to georgia state which can’t afford a new stadium. Build a huge new stadium downtown next to the Ga Dome with plenty of outside parking for tailgating. The city/county.. can pay 30% and blank 70% and split the revenues the same %’s. Very simple.
phil
April 25th, 2012
9:35 pm
I’ve been to 3 falcons games in 20 yrs in the dome.
Why?
Where it is….
dawglt
April 25th, 2012
9:35 pm
Jeff,
“Long time reader, first time responder. Right On!! Our priorities, as a whole, have strayed off course. And we honestly question the attitudes of our youth ????????
Mark
April 25th, 2012
9:35 pm
@tonyb
“But as cities like Dallas, Washington, and soon to be LA build these high revenue producing stadiums, teams like the Falcons will fall behind and have limited resources in acquiring high dollar players.”
Bull. The NFL has a hard cap. Bringing in more money doesn’t allow them to pay the players more. It might give them prettier lockers and showers, but forgive me if I don’t give a crap about the locker room for a bunch of millionaires.
“Hopefully, Blank doesn’t try to push PSL’s on us, because I feel he will find that to be the toughest sale of them all.”
PSL’s? You mean like the people that go to see the Falcons paying more for better facilities? Where’s the harm in that. I’d much prefer that than for taxpayers that may not go to a single game in a lifetime paying for the select few to have a better stadium. Again, if you want a better stadium, have fun paying for it, just don’t ask me to.
phil
April 25th, 2012
9:36 pm
Close down georgia state…
No more irrelevant and pathetic school in the entire SE US…
GStateBen
April 25th, 2012
9:38 pm
Ga State will dominate. Hopefully we can buy the Dome and have Georgia play us here. COLLEGE TOWN, DOWNTOWN!
Freehawk
April 25th, 2012
9:39 pm
As an Atlantan, I have zero interest in paying for a new stadium to replace the dome. This is the kind of decision that gets somebody fired.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 25th, 2012
9:39 pm
Co-sign this article 100%. SMH at the comments that predictably break down into political BS.
atler8
April 25th, 2012
9:40 pm
Larry,
You needlessly threw in unsubstantiated garbage about how many billionaires are liberals & that Blank was one as well. That’s not a fact. And it seems to me that I recall that both he and the former Home Depot guy named Nardelli they hired then tossed out for incompetence, both hosted Republican fundraisers.
So, leave that angle out of this discussion please as it was an unsubstantiated talking point on your part as I said.
SaintDK10
April 25th, 2012
9:42 pm
THIS IS AWESOME! GA STATE GETS A NEW STADIUM TO PLAY IN!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 25th, 2012
9:42 pm
If all they want is more luxury suites and other revenue-generating nonsense, I don’t see why this can’t be accomplished by renovating the existing stadium. They are insane for wanting any sort of open air at all. All you have to do is see early April and late September Braves attendance to know that nobody in this city is going to freeze their asses off in November and December to watch the Falcons.
The only good reason to even want a retractable roof is for soccer games, and while I don’t know or care much about soccer, I don’t get why it can’t be played in a dome if football can be played in a dome.
frank
April 25th, 2012
9:42 pm
The Falcons are still gonna suck even if they get a new stadium they have never won a superbowl at the Georgia Dome so what make you think they are gonna win one at the new stadium they aren’t worth watching.
waynester
April 25th, 2012
9:43 pm
It’s hilarious that all of a sudden, ya’ll are turning into Libertarians…if you would actually vote that way, we might not be in the financial mess we currently face….
ps
the dome looks a quilting bee reject….
Delbert D.
April 25th, 2012
9:45 pm
Georgia State certainly can’t afford the rent for the Dome as the primary tenant ig the GWCC keeps the Dome. The Dome is far more accessible than Bobby Dodd Stadium, but even getting the stadium as a “gift” as suggested (why?), Georgia Tech would take a huge hit just with the operating and maintenance costs and the taxes on the property.
atler8
April 25th, 2012
9:46 pm
Larry,
By the way, we are in agreement totally about all the real problems & needs that this state has facing it that need money & attention before the likes of a new Falcon’s stadium with any amount of public funding is considered.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 25th, 2012
9:48 pm
At least they are not seriously entertaining the idea of moving to the northern suburbs anymore, which is the single dumbest idea of all time. Everyone who says this needs to get in their car and drive to Coolray Field and see how long it takes. Getting from Alpharetta to Lawrenceville takes a half an hour. Getting from Marietta to Alpharetta takes a half an hour. Getting from any of those places to downtown takes a half an hour to 45 minutes. Other than the people in the immediate vicinity of any northern suburbs stadium, nobody is going to save time, and most people will be more inconvenienced.
atlanta to Seattle2016
April 25th, 2012
9:50 pm
crumbling infrustructure,water issues,traffic smothering the city with no one havin a clue how to deal with it,homeless folks ,downtown not appealin to most folks like other citieslike seattle,chicago,san francisco,high crime,racaily divided,blighted intown and outside of city,quality of life issues glarin in a once beautiful city,public transit needed in this city worse then any other,no super bowl or playoff win,not enough policemen,.AND THEY WANT TO SPEND MONEY ON A FOOTBALL STADIUM???FIX THE ABOVE ISSUES AND MAYBE YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT REASON…MEANWHILE THE ABOVE ISSUES NEED ATTENTION AND MONEY,
Mark
April 25th, 2012
9:52 pm
Jeff – I suppose owners can make the case that having deeper pockets allows them to structure contracts differently, maybe guarantee more money. But yes, in the end, they’re all dealing with the same cap.
Good point. They will also say that more revenue, and thus profits, lets them have better practice facilities, higher paid coaches, better medical equipment, etc. And there is some truth to that. But in the end I think it’s about the arms race in the NFL, everyone wanting to make their franchise more valuable at the expense of taxpayers.
JoDee
April 25th, 2012
9:53 pm
hmm. Imagine what might happen if nearly a blillion dollars were spent on public school facilities. It will be a great day when Americans value education more than thug athletics, and they put their money where their mouths are.
NC_Dawg
April 25th, 2012
9:54 pm
I absolutely agree Jeff. Taxes are high enough and should go to “public goods”. The Falcons are not a public good or else tickets would be free like visiting Piedmont park. If Mr. Blank wants to take the team somewhere else, fine.
Another team would love the Dome, this market, and the rabid football culture we have here in Atlanta. Maybe this team would actually win a playoff game.
Iron Head
April 25th, 2012
9:55 pm
Absolutely ridiculous! There’s nothing wrong with the Dome. How much money does the man need? Win something and then come back to the table. That Dome has never lost a game.
Paul in East Lake
April 25th, 2012
9:55 pm
Absolutely ridiculous that anyone but ticket buyers or the team itself kicks in money for the stadium. It’s a private business so they should pay. It really is JUST THAT simple. And I consider myself a football fan.
Marv
April 25th, 2012
9:56 pm
Help
Delbert D.
April 25th, 2012
9:56 pm
Rebuilding in that area, even if it didn’t cost the taxpayers a dime is a terrible idea. The fringes of downtown Atlanta are marginally more appealing than downtown Mogadishu.
something fishy
April 25th, 2012
9:58 pm
What’s going to happen to the debt on the original dome when it’s demolished. The State of Ga issued $200 million in bonds to build the dome and as of June 30,2011 $121 million is still owed on these bonds. If you read the agreement to build the Dome Authur Blank can’t do anything with the falcons until the original debt is paid off. Thats why the Smith’s weren’t able to move the Falcons when they threatened to move several years ago.
Tom
April 25th, 2012
9:59 pm
do I see a jerry jones stunt being pulled off here??!!! a big money monstrosity in dallas and sounds like its on the way to being here. Arthur Blank may be a beloved owner but he is also a business man and the Falcons are his business-let him invest in his business if he wants profits to increase. Don’t stick the fans with the bill. The dome is only 20 years old and they want to demolish it-give me a break! It hasn’t even paid for itself yet.
Marv
April 25th, 2012
10:03 pm
If a new stadium is going to be built please put in a place that Has plenty of open air parking and places to tailgate. Anyone who has ever been to Lambeau Field can see what a significant advantage this can be.
Kevin
April 25th, 2012
10:03 pm
Man, my brick ranch house is 32 years old. We’ve owned it for 5 years and “ONLY” about $150k on it. But my wife sure does love new houses with those big walk-in closets. It sure would be nice to have a brand new brick house, maybe with an apartment over the 3-car garage, and 5 bedrooms even though we only have one child. It’d cost us at least double what we OWE on our current house. Now how can we scam the public into helping us pay for this NEED?
Iron Head
April 25th, 2012
10:04 pm
Absolutely ridiculous! There’s nothing wrong with the Dome. How much money does the man need to make? Win something and come back to the table. That Dome has never lost a game.
Delbert D.
April 25th, 2012
10:04 pm
Blank needs to partner up with one of Russia’s billionaires; you know, one of the many who got rich by selling the former Soviet Union’s military assets. What a great move that would be toward world peace. Hoorah.
GaEgghead
April 25th, 2012
10:05 pm
Najeh, going to a Northern suburb would be well worth the extra 15 minutes compared to going downtown.
Matt the Brave
April 25th, 2012
10:05 pm
I’m with some of the people who say rebuild Fulton County Stadium, but I say this: make it like they intended to, with a retractable top. Improve the suites to go around the entire stadium, and create some passthrus for real light to get in. Oh, and make it where the stadium will be SO LOUD.
atlanta to Seattle2016
April 25th, 2012
10:10 pm
Atlanta starting to look and feel more and more like Detroit…and they want a football stadium??to replace a perfectly good stadium…REALLY??too many unsolved issues here to shell out that kind of money for a team that has yet to win a superbowl
intown resident
April 25th, 2012
10:11 pm
We call single mothers “welfare queens” for hundreds of millions less.
What shall we call St. Blank?
It is time to take the gloves off and stop deifying the scoundrel. There are people being thrown out of their homes and St. Blank wants a new billion dollar playground to replace a 20 year old playground?
This is torches and mobs territory.
Tucker
April 25th, 2012
10:12 pm
The Georgia Dome, Turner Field, and Phillips Arena should all be torn down, and replaced by one multiple use facility with a sliding roof, sliding stands and a long slippery slide just to send off habitually disappointing teams and their petty owners.
JASon
April 25th, 2012
10:14 pm
I have a question. Why is everyone wetting themselves about the environment, and we are all encouraged to “do our part” and recycle everything, and maintain a sustainable lifestyle…yet somehow its okay for them to tear down a massive dome with nothing wrong with it?
Delbert D.
April 25th, 2012
10:18 pm
While we are discussing the wonders of downtown, we mustn’t forget the Richard B. Russell Federal Building. I went there on a dark, rainy morning in February, and the parking entrance to that place gave me flashbacks to scenes in “Blade Runner.”
scott zortman
April 25th, 2012
10:19 pm
What a bunch of hogwash, for all you agreeing with Jeff Schultz on this, obviously the greater majority of you probaly arent season ticket holders, for those of us who go consistently every year, are saying the same thing year after year on those beautiful fall days here, why is there a roof above us. Honestly why the hell the state of Ga ever built this god forsaken thing to begin with with that pukely looking pink finish, and that god awful green combination when it first opened, at least they had the stylishness to make it with red and black finish. As a season ticket holder for 25 years, thank you Arthur Blank and please tear this dome down and make a f—ing stadium that has a retractable roof in it for those beautiful days in october and november, a dome in the south, even Houston got smart with the astrodaome, sheesh!!!!!!!!!
Delbert D.
April 25th, 2012
10:21 pm
The November elections are fast approaching. Tearing down the Dome will create jobs. Can’t wait for the political ads for it.
I love the Falcons, but
April 25th, 2012
10:21 pm
AB is as good an owner as there is in sports. He’s done what’s necessary to turn around a franchise that was moribund, at best, for 4 decades. Saying that, I’d bet my last dollar that the state of Georgia will end up with at least 500 million in this venture. AB will spend similar dollars, sure, but he should. It’s his team and it will be his profit.
So, I see where the Pres paid less tax than his secretary, too. (the trend is to include a political comment, so there)
Mark in mind-town
April 25th, 2012
10:24 pm
I support the new stadium. A new stadium would allow Atlanta to host a Super Bowl again. It would also allow the Falcons to remain competitive. Yes, the Dome is still a fine facility, but it’s not state-of-the-art anymore relative to what other teams have. That probably matters more than many of us care to realize. If a new stadium would allow the Falcons to remain competitive for many years to come, and if it would bring in a Super Bowl again, it could end up paying for itself over the longer haul. I doubt in 20 – 25 years there will be another wave of new stadiums for NFL teams, so I suspect a new stadium would end up having a far longer life span than the current one in terms of being able to remain competitive with what most other teams have. I think Blank’s motivation is not to line his pockets; rather I think it’s to be able to provide Atlanta with a competitive team for decades to come.