New Atlanta stadium: Don’t raise the roof for Super Bowl
“No dome, no Super Bowl” in Atlanta — Norman Braman, then-chairman of the NFL’s Super Bowl selection committee, 1989
“… we could not overcome the prejudice of the owners’ vote concerning the 2000 ice storm” the last time the Super Bowl was in Atlanta — Gary Stokan, president of the Atlanta Sports Council, in a 2005 memo
“The [Super Bowl] is meant to be played in the elements” — Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL, 2010
Which of these statements does not belong?
There are any number of reasons to oppose using tax revenues to build a second downtown stadium for professional football. First and foremost, there are far more pressing needs for the several million dollars a year in Atlanta hotel taxes that will be freed up when the Georgia Dome is paid off. (Our GOP-dominated Legislature and Republican governor apparently thought otherwise this spring when they approved a 30-year extension of the tax to pay for a new stadium.)
There may also be reasons to support the new facility. Bringing the Super Bowl back to Atlanta isn’t one of them. That goes double after the NFL’s double-speak last week.
For years, Atlantans were told we needed a domed — read: bad-weather-proof — stadium to land the Super Bowl. Then a rare ice storm hit during the second one played here, in 2000. The game hasn’t returned since.
Now, we’re supposed to believe that the problem is our lack of a stadium that would expose players and fans to the same “elements” that have scared off the NFL for more than a decade. Which is it, fellas?
It’s fairly obvious that the NFL’s “elements” talk is all about boosting the Falcons’ bid for a new home. Because the history of the game beyond Atlanta doesn’t support the commissioner’s “elements” claim.
Thirteen of the 44 Super Bowls to date have been played indoors. Of the other 31, just eight have been played farther north than Atlanta: seven in and around that “northern” city of Los Angeles, and one near San Francisco. The last of these eight took place in 1993.
Twice the Super Bowl has been played in a stadium with a retractable roof. On neither occasion was the roof kept open for the game. (During one of them it was raining, but rain must represent the wrong kind of “elements” for championship football.) Three of the next four Super Bowls, the only future games whose sites have been determined so far, will be played in stadiums with roofs.
The exception is the 2014 game outside New York City. NFL owners approved that game site for the novelty factor of staging their big game in the Big Apple, and in spite of their meteorological misgivings. In any case, one game does not make a trend.
Nor is it likely that an Atlanta with two football stadiums could attract many more football games — and the fans who fill our hotels and restaurants while in town to witness them — than the city attracts now.
We already have the Southeastern Conference title game (moved here from an outdoor stadium in Birmingham because of — wait for it — “the elements”). We already have the Chick-fil-A Bowl (which moved from the great outdoors of old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium to a brand-new Georgia Dome faster than you can say “Eat mor chikin”) and, soon, two preseason college games. Plus, of course, two college football programs, another one just up the road, and an NFL franchise.
So, maybe a second stadium gets us a couple of Super Bowls and, in the rosiest scenario imaginable, some opening-round games in a single soccer World Cup.
In which case I’d tell the NFL to play its big game in somebody else’s elements. We’ll watch it on TV, thanks.
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87 comments Add your comment
Don't Touch My Junk
November 17th, 2010
7:35 pm
The GA Dome is a cheap piece of junk.
They did it right in Texas. Say what you will about Jerry Jones and Dallas but that facility is the best in the world and worth every dime.
BTW – I worked in the concert business for 20 years.
Don't Touch My Junk
November 17th, 2010
7:37 pm
Ooops. The BIG mistake they made in Dallas is parking. It’s outrageous and pee-poor. The crews have to pay $50 just so they can come to work. Stagehands and techs are screwed. I heard they fixed this recently.
Rafe Hollister
November 17th, 2010
8:17 pm
The Georgia Dome is an excellent stadium and venue. If I had my way Fulton County Stadium would have been renovated to a football only stadium, after the Olympics. It was stupid to tear it down and would be even more Stupid to try and maintain two stadiums or tear down the Dome. The NFL is fickle to say the least, they are only concerned with their own revenue/income. Politicians should inform Blank and the NFL if this is so important to you, build it yourself.
Don't Touch My Junk
November 17th, 2010
8:37 pm
Rafe – Take my word for it. I’ve done dozens of gigs in the dome.
They should have put in a retractable roof. This is why – FAIL.
The last Super Bowl here in ATL? Remember the ice storm? The weight of the ice on the tent roof plus the weight of the extra sound, light, video, etc. was at the limit.
That means they almost had to postpone The Super Bowl because they were afriad the roof might collapse.
signed – VETERAN
fitzgerald
November 17th, 2010
8:48 pm
Having super bowl in domed stadium much better than outdoors in the northern part of the country. Super bowls are played for the TV audience more than those in attendance at the game. Bad coincidence that ice storm swept through Atlanta in 2000. Cowboys Stadium is an awesome experience. Going tomorrow night to see a high school football playoff game because it is the cheapest way to see a game there. However, ice storms do happen in the Dallas area in February just like they do in Atlanta. Arlington, Texas has no mass transit. Roads near Cowboys Stadium will be closed 3 stinking weeks before the super bowl game. I say stick with the Georgia Dome a few more years and see what happens.
Rafe Hollister
November 17th, 2010
8:55 pm
What does a Cowboys ticket cost in Jerry Jones’ House of Ostentatiousness? The common Atlanta Fan can’t afford a ticket to the Falcons now, what would Arthur demand if he had a showplace. If the tickets cost too much, attendance falls.
And finally, I believe ole Jerry paid for most of his Football Taj Mahal and did not whine and complain to the taxpayers for help. So, if Arthur wants his own Taj, he should build it, otherwise postpone on those ice storm Sundays. Don’t think we have had one since 2000 and few before.
Don't Touch My Junk
November 17th, 2010
9:03 pm
Football, Concerts and Corporate Events will pay whatever the market will dictate.
How much was that last concert ticket you bought? $50 bux to see somebody at Philips Arena… Those were nose-bleeds.
Like it or not places like Dallas and New York with their “fancy” new facilities are brilliant and profitable.
Itz a biznez.
Don't Touch My Junk
November 17th, 2010
9:13 pm
Personally, I’d like to see Mr. Blank pay for a World-Class facility from his own pocket and keep it a privately owned facility.
Don't Touch My Junk
November 17th, 2010
9:24 pm
If you have bad team it’s hard to sell tickets. If you have a good team people are willing to pay a lot of money.
Please build a new football stadium.
Dear Mr. Blank,
Please buy the Doraville site and do it there. The property is still up for grabs….
If you stay downtown then please do it right. Parking is the key. We want to tailgate !!
Retractable roof with real grass !!
Hillbilly Deluxe
November 17th, 2010
10:31 pm
The NFL is an extremely profitable business. Arthur Blank is one of the richest men in the state. If they want a new stadium, fine; let them pay for it. Let’s keep the government out of a private business.
itpdude
November 17th, 2010
10:45 pm
Wingfield, I’m with you here. The Dome was built in 1992. Blank has more money than my entire family will ever have. The NFL is swimming in cash (but still disconnected a game I was watchin in OT a week and a half ago). The economy is in the crapper. The old Dome is either barely paid off or we are still paying for it.
And these guys want us to pay for their playgrounds? Less than 20 years ago, the Dome opened. And these jerks need another playground on the backs of Atlantans?
Screw them. I hope someone mugs Blank and beats him over the head with a club for even considering getting government to bilk the working man again.
Jason
November 17th, 2010
11:04 pm
Weird how pro stadiums wear out so fast and college ones do not. Can you imagine what would happen if someone suggested tearing down Samford Stadium and replacing it with a new one just so they could sell more luxury boxes?
BuzzGT
November 17th, 2010
11:33 pm
I bet the ACC Championship would come to town and take whichever stadium the SEC doesn’t want.
Drew
November 17th, 2010
11:54 pm
Meanwhile, just before last year’s Super Bowl, that very same Commissioner Goodell told Miami that they’d likely need a ROOF over their stadium to prevent another drenching like they had in 2007. They’ll say whatever they have to, and it’s all just a huge soak-the-taxpayer scam, folks. The NFL is now going to expect every market in America to ante up $1 Billion (or more) for football palaces like the Cowboys’ new Enormo-Retracto-Dome, and they’ll waive that one-time-only Super Bowl carrot out there as a consolation prize for being suckered into buying stadiums for billionaires that millionaires play games in. Bread and circuses. Just say NO!
Samford what?
November 18th, 2010
12:14 am
Is Samford Stadium in Birmingham? I doubt anyone would care if they tore that down.
Falcon Fan
November 18th, 2010
12:19 am
I’m all for Blank paying for a new stadium- and only because I think that taxpayers shouldn’t pay for it and because it would be a nicer facility than one funded with taxpayer money.
Like it or not the Dallas stadium is profitable and keeps events coming in. Jones building it himself and making it a palace was a stroke of genius. Its a risk for sure, but how many owners will follow? not many, those that do have the chance to snag many large regional events. Plus Blank could build it where he wants to- GWCC might as well tear down the dome- its of no use if a new one is built.
And the NFL is very, very fickle, but I can’t blame them on skipping ATL…I mean do we really think that the Georgia Dome is where the premier sports event of the year should be? Grasping at straws there.
foxtrot
November 18th, 2010
12:23 am
No problemo. Tear off the roof and pay some homeless guys to pull a tarp over the opening whenever it rains or ice storms, then back off when the sun comes out. Total investment a couple hundred bucks and a few bottles of Ripple and it’s Hello Super Bowl.
Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader
November 18th, 2010
1:50 am
For all the talk about how shiny and new the stadiums in Dallas and NYC are… Please know that the new stadiums in Dallas and NYC will be deemed obsolete and ageing in about ten years. It seems the shelf life of a new NFL stadium is not that long… and at what costs to the public?
Don’t be held hostage to the whims of the NFL brass and its billionaire owners.
captguitarman
November 18th, 2010
2:05 am
Boy oh boy, did the NFL time this little, off the cuff remark to the Shady Deal with perfect timing, or what? Enough bidness to take care of his entire personal insolvency in just one deal. He probably didn’t even realize he had come out in favor of something for Atlanta (as stupid and ill-advised it is is) until he woke up the next morning. But, as all the good old boys all say . . . bidness is bidness. Yep, the Gov is on board, along with many others under the Dome seeing a huge opportunity to line their pockets. But, unfortunately for them, even the most devout Georgia supporters of good old boys doing bidness are going to throw the flag on this one. Of the top 10 major issues now facing this state that is quickly falling behind the rest of the new, New South, where would a new, multi-gazillion outdoor professional football stadium fall? Maybe in 41st place . . . on a good day. These NFL guys are not looking to pay for these stadiums, they are looking for the city, county, and state taxpayers, along with everyone who may ever need a hotel room in Atlanta during the next 100 years, to pay for it. And guess what? Compared to lots and lots and lots of other more important things, we don’t need one. We’ll see how this goes. I am worried it won’t go well. The Gov’s door is already open for bidness because of his insolvency, and he is a proven bidness man’s politician. And now the top Pub Senators have gotten Cagle out of the way so the lobbyists can go straight to them and avoid the middle man. Just what Georgia needs in a economy in crisis, to replace a perfectly good stadium facility . . . but, bidness is bidness.
Tony Smith
November 18th, 2010
6:02 am
I love football as much as anyone. But the taxpayers do not need to be held hostage by the NFL. If the Falcons need a new stadium, they need to build it themselves. The amount of money an NFL team generates for a community is overstated.
Nice White Guy
November 18th, 2010
6:33 am
BIG business is against socialism. Until it benefits them.
Sorry, entertainers, no more welfare for the wealthy.
Joe the Plutocrat (the artist formerly known as paleo-neo-Carlinist)
November 18th, 2010
6:51 am
this is getting easy. plutocracy in action, folks. the NFL is like the Federal Reserve (it’s owned by the team owners). as the quintesential plutocracy, the NFL wants common folk to fund their enterprises. in order to do so, they spin wonderful narratives about the “economic impact” of state-of-the-art arenas (which oddly enough, become obsolete within 15-20 years). where are all the “redistribution of wealth” wags? OH, and the only reason Atlanta got the 2000 Super Bowl was Arizona refused to recognize the MLK, Jr. holiday, so the NFL PC police (marketing) took away the carrot and gave AZ some stick. this screed belongs in the business section or on the sports page. oh, and when taxpayers fund such enterprises, is it out of line to discuss “athlete/executive” compensation?
Ragnar Danneskjöld
November 18th, 2010
6:56 am
So long as they do not increase any taxes, I do not care what they do. I have not watched a complete football game, even on television, in 25 years. Perhaps eliminate all other government functions in Fulton.
A Hearty Cheese Sauce
November 18th, 2010
7:29 am
I wouldlnt travel to the Atl GHETTO to see any teams play.
carlosgvv
November 18th, 2010
7:46 am
We are in a deep recession and have been for years. Many people cannot find work, are losing their homes and are desperately trying to find someplace to live. So, who in their right mind is supporting using tax revenues to build a second statium in times like these? Is this denial or just stupidity and greed?
Jimmy62
November 18th, 2010
7:50 am
We’ve got a perfectly good stadium that allows us to have a great, winning team in the NFL and lets fans watch games in person and have a good time. Anything beyond that the team’s owner can pay for, taxpayers have spent enough money on other peoples’ projects.
Kelly in the PTC
November 18th, 2010
8:06 am
The new series on AMC, The Walking Dead, precisely captures my opinion of the “citizenry” and “culuture” of Downtown Atlanta.
Aside from the tax breaks, it is little wonder why AMC elected to film that series there.
Why would any of us want to take our families there to watch football in that cesspool?
Nuke that mistake, and start over.
Reilly
November 18th, 2010
8:21 am
“The Walking Dead” does not capture the essence of the City of Atlanta, as there is FAR TOO MUCH diversity in the demographic breakdown of those zombies wandering along Marietta Street for the show to be believable to anyone who as actually been downtown for a Falcons game.
This was especially true during the dark days of our city known as “The Mike Vick Era.”
Unfortunately, the encounters of the NFL owners, elite and fans with our resident zombies… er, panhandlers… is a HUGE reason why we won’t be seeing another Super Bowl here for some time.
(Thank Goodness!)
seabeau
November 18th, 2010
8:38 am
No taxes should be spent on another lamp-brained boondoggle for some rich fat-cats. If the sports lovers want a stadium , then use private funds. The public should not be subsidizing pro-sports.
Jeffrey
November 18th, 2010
8:41 am
Yeah, we would get to pay for it, but would we get tix to the Super Bowl? Hell No!
JF McNamara
November 18th, 2010
9:17 am
The Georgia Dome is fine. If Blank wants a newer stadium with more high revenue luxury boxes, then he needs to fund it.
After going to a Super Bowl, I think it should always be in a warm weather city. There are lots of people out and numerous outdoor parties and events. It’s a really fun vacation. Cold weather will only make it worse, and Atlanta is too cold.
The Truth Will Lock You Up
November 18th, 2010
9:31 am
One thing for sure – no matter where the Super Bowl is held, Cam Newton won’t be playing in it because he and his family are dirty and money-hungry thugs and this entire Auburn season will be erased because of the actions of he and his family. Shame on you, Cam Newton!
Michel Phillip
November 18th, 2010
10:12 am
The right question is NOT whether the Georgia Dome is better than other stadiums in other cities, or whether a new stadium in Atlanta would be better.
The right question is which would be a smarter investment for the city: investing tens of millions of $ in a new stadium, or investing that same money in improving the schools, or police protection, or transportation infrastructure. And I think the answer is pretty obvious.
j
November 18th, 2010
10:23 am
Kyle why can’t “arfur” blank a “great business man” come up with aviable plan to build and pay for a dome for his football team.
Why should ordinary citizens be robbed of their hard earned money because “arfur” blank wants a free stadium?
A billionaire wants the citizens to pay for a stadium so that he can prance around on weekends and be on t.v.
This iain’t the green bay packers.
let the clown who claims to be a genius build another stadium on his own. Warren buffet dumped all his HD shares yesterday.
“arfur” just got lucky right place right time.
Logical Dude
November 18th, 2010
10:30 am
The NFL said the same thing about San Diego. So, sure, if the stadiums are wayyyy out of date, then they should be upgraded.
Modern plumbing that can handle 100,000 people at half-time. Modern amenities and good food available instead of 3 day old hot dogs (yes, that’ exaggeration). More box seats because those bring in ten times as much money as any other seat and can sell to businesses a lot easier. Which would a business rather have? A dozen seats where people get sun-burnt, rained on, or next to a drunk heckling fan; or a nice enclosed area where they can have full wine service and a bar?
Why stadiums just can’t be upgraded for a tenth of the price of a new stadium is beyond me. But the NFL for some reason hates tradition and likes brand-spanking new stadiums. If they want the stadiums so bad, they should pay for them. IF we pay for a stadium, I want one available for multiple sports, multiple events, and with the local name. Not a business name. (Georgia Dome vs. Quest Field).
And yes, the Doraville area is the PERFECT place. Large land/parking. MARTA directly parks there. And yes, Soccer is big and the area has many hispanics aching to go to big soccer games. I’d want to go too, but from the looks of things, Atlanta (and Georgia) are unable to commit to that level of forward thinking.
Jefferson
November 18th, 2010
11:10 am
The changed the flag for the olympics, why not ? Kickbacks and political contributions involved? Ride the streetcar to the stadium, sounds like a plan.
BS Aplenty
November 18th, 2010
11:27 am
Every business, especially retail, is constantly under market pressure to upgrade the customer experience. That usually means, amoung other things, expenditures on physical facilities, leasehold improvements and the like. So, I don’t absolutely rule out the new stadium with the following caveats:
1) it happens no earlier than the next ten years (it took 3.5 years to build Cowboys Stadium),
2) it stays in Atlanta,
3) the financing package includes significant funds from the Atlanta Falcons owner,
4) the Falcons upgrade cheerleaders so they look as good as the Cowboys cheerleaders,
5) Bookman quits talking and starts a personal foundation to provide healthcare for all Americans (after which hell freezes over), and
6) AJC trades Luckovich to Seattle for a precocious 5th grade art student and a big box of Crayons.
…wait a second, I can’t stop laughing about No. 6…
Left wing management
November 18th, 2010
11:34 am
I agree with you, Kyle.
The NFL can go to HELL!
November 18th, 2010
11:39 am
Atlanta may have a quality pro team in the Falcons, but Atlanta has more than proven its mettle as a certified COLLEGE FOOTBALL town, YEAH!!!!! I’m kind of with alot of the posters on here that say that if ol’ Arthur Blank wants a stadium, then he should build it himself! Atlanta doesn’t need two stadiums, only one
finn mccool
November 18th, 2010
11:40 am
It was silly to put a dome in Atlanta in the first place. If they can play out doors in Green Bay then they surely can play out doors in Atlanta.
The NFL can go to HELL!
November 18th, 2010
11:48 am
BuzzGT
November 17th, 2010
11:33 pm
“I bet the ACC Championship would come to town and take whichever stadium the SEC doesn’t want.”
HELL’s YEAH!!!!! It’s a no-brainer that the ACC would want to bring their championship game to a REAL college football town in Atlanta! Atlanta shouldn’t be tempted like a moth to a flame and be burned by the fire of hoping to lure a Super Bowl that still may not decide to come calling if taxpayer money is used to build a new stadium for that specific purpose. Atlanta is already fast becoming the MECCA of College Football, why screw with that to play “catch me if you can” games with a very fickle NFL?
The NFL can go to HELL!
November 18th, 2010
11:54 am
finn mccool
November 18th, 2010
11:40 am
“It was silly to put a dome in Atlanta in the first place. If they can play out doors in Green Bay then they surely can play out doors in Atlanta.”
It wasn’t that silly because the Georgia Dome wasn’t built for the sole purpose of strictly hosting football games only. The Georgia Dome was built to help Atlanta snag major conventions, tradeshows, NCAA college basketball games (Final Fours, etc) and, ESPECIALLY, College Football games.
truth
November 18th, 2010
12:04 pm
Problem is Dallas has set the financial bar so high with its new stadium…if anyone wants to compete in the future they will need to either match or excel that stadium and its 1.3 billion dollar price tag.
Vince
November 18th, 2010
12:07 pm
“The new series on AMC, The Walking Dead, precisely captures my opinion of the “citizenry” and “culuture” of Downtown Atlanta.
Aside from the tax breaks, it is little wonder why AMC elected to film that series there.
Why would any of us want to take our families there to watch football in that cesspool?
Nuke that mistake, and start over.”
AS a resident of downtown, let me be the first to invite you to go straight to h@ll.
Multipoos Rule
November 18th, 2010
12:17 pm
Why can’t Bernie Marcus pay for it?
704_Brave
November 18th, 2010
12:55 pm
@ The NFL can go to HELL!:
Charlotte is doing just fine with the ACC Championship game. It’s only 2.5 hours from Blacksburg to Charlotte so Hokie fans won’t want the inconvenience of driving 4 extra hours each year.
Atlanta doesn’t need a replacement for the Dome any more than Charlotte needs a replacement for BofA Stadium: http://www.fieldofschemes.com/news/archives/2010/08/4259_carolina_panthe.html.
Greedy owners need to pay for their own damn toys…
ATF
November 18th, 2010
12:58 pm
Use the hotel tax and tourist money to pay for upgrades to water and sewer systems in Atlanta and Fulton County.
704_Brave
November 18th, 2010
1:03 pm
It all comes down to money. Owners don’t NEED new stadiums, they just want to fleece the local commoners for new stadiums in order to pad their own pockets. Look at what happened in Miami with the Marlins…they lied about their finances to get a sweetheart stadium basically for free. It’s happened time and time again during the “boom” years of the 1990s-2000s.
Time to march on your local governments in order to do the right thing for your taxpaying constituents. IMO we need schools and libraries in this day and age more than we need new stadiums…call me crazy…
A Hearty Cheese Sauce
November 18th, 2010
1:03 pm
Just as you or I would, Charlie Rangel should go strait to f-ing jail.
Hopefully Maxine Waters is next.
fitzgerald
November 18th, 2010
1:06 pm
Per ticket prices at Cowboys Stadium……………obviously cost depends on where you sit and if you buy anything to eat/drink. I have heard that the average cost for a family of four to attend a Cowboys’ game is $748.00. Probably decent seats, $65.00 for parking, and purchasing something to eat/drink and trinkets that cost two arms and two legs. I went to the opening of the stadium when George Strait and others performed on 6/6/09. Our seat tickets were $90.00 and were on the opposite end of the stage. The only way I could really see the performers was on the giant screen above the field. Of course, my neck was locked into one position after looking at the screen all night.
A Hearty Cheese Sauce
November 18th, 2010
1:15 pm
Perhaps they could sell tickets to the Charlie Rangel/Maxine Waters Incarceration Festival. I anti-up $75.00 per ticket to see those losers tossed behind bars.
Swede Atlanta
November 18th, 2010
2:21 pm
Neither Rangel nor Waters committed a federal crime unlike Tommy Boy Delay. So I suggest we sell tickets when he does the perp walk for his felony conviction.
nelson
November 18th, 2010
2:21 pm
Syracuse has a domed stadium. They get a lot more then football under the roof. Basketball, Syracuse has the largest on campus atendance of any school. They also get some big name bands. Cannot go wrong with a domed stadium. Syracuse has a misery climate. As I recall, the stadium brought in 30 million profit from basketball. That means they can afford to pay some rather outrageous salaries like several million for Greg Robinson[football] and got a half dozen victories over several years.
I’ve been to Atlanta, there is a whopper population down there that would support a great basketball team. It is a little too crowded for me, I like space.
Soooooo much for all that. Why not ask the government to build it, or Donald Trump, he could have the whole operation online in a year or two. He is a wheeler dealer, he would be in and out of Atlanta before you could say geewhiz.
Swede Atlanta
November 18th, 2010
2:30 pm
Totally opposed to a drop of taxpayer money going to fund a new stadium. NFL is a private enterprise. The Falcons and/or whoever else might want to go in with them on a new stadium can finance it just like everyone else does. They can be the ones liable if for some reason the deal goes south or they can’t repay the debt. Enough of welfare for corporations!!!
Corporations generate generational welfare families. Once they get on the public dole they just keep taking it generation after generation, company after company. They need to get a job.
Intown
November 18th, 2010
3:24 pm
Kyle – I’m a left-of-center, pro-intown, pro-immigration, pro-stimulus, pro-Obama reader … and I’m with you on this one!
hryder
November 18th, 2010
4:34 pm
Do the number on out of town/state visitors as Seattle. Excessive taxes were placed on lodging, rental cars, airplane tickets, etc., with proceeds dedicated to the debts incurred for new stadia and arena several years ago. We enjoyed visiting every other year until the year we were forced to pay these taxes and refuse to return and pay what should be paid by the people who directly benefit from activities at such facilities. My reasoning indicates that these privately owned and promoted activities should be paid for by the people who will monetarily benefit from income generated at these sites and activities. Also, While residing in Houston, Texas, we experienced the cost of parking at the original dome move from zero cost to $10, with increases gradually to the $10, and these funds did not go to Harris County. The funds went to the people putting on the activity even though Harris Country had footed the tab for the entire complex. Just a few random thoughts on how to view where money disappears.
winkasdad29
November 18th, 2010
5:11 pm
The most recent Super Bowls have been given to cities with stadiums built in the last 10 years (Houston, Detroit, Glendale, AZ, Tampa, Arlington, TX, and Indianapolis). All Goodell was saying was that if Atlanta wants a Super Bowl, it must compete by building a new state of the art staduim.
A retractable roof would be the way to go because more events can be held. I would like to see Arthur Blank and the state partner (with the state not paying anymore than it does now) to raze the Georgia Dome and build the new staduim in the same place.
Having two stadiums is not practical. The stadium belongs downtown. Maybe it would help spur positive development downtown.
DamYankee
November 18th, 2010
7:46 pm
Jeez, I’m talking to myself! Here’s the e-mail I shot off to WSB after seeing their piece on Goodell’s little extortion scheme:RE: your story on a new stadium for Atlanta this AM – I think Goodell’s timing is questionable. Is now a good time to try to extort municipalities into building new stadiums with a possible shot at the Super Bowl? Cities are struggling to meet basic needs in this shot economy, and in spite of promises to the contrary, no stadium has ever been built without at least some public funding. Is Jerry Jones’ monument to excess in Irving to be the new standard? Despite his claims, that stadium will cost Dallas/Irving TX millions if not hundreds of millions over the years, and claims of economic benefit to the community are at least distorted and exaggerated if not outright lies. Just what Atlanta needs, million dollar luxury suites, martini bars, go-go dancer cages etc., all to attract a game that the ordinary citizens can’t afford to attend and that will more than likely result in a steep increase in season ticket prices. If Arthur wants to pull out his checkbook, and maybe get help from the NFL, fine. But funding via a hotel/motel tax or any other tax is outright thievery and if local officials fall for it they are as culpable as the pirates themselves. Tax revenue from any source should be used to fund basic services in the city/state that are now being slashed. Just another example of the frightening and infuriating disconnect from reality that the wealthy are exhibiting of late. “Boo-hoo, if taxes on my millions go up I can’t afford that luxury suite that will sit vacant during half the Falcon’s home games.” At least have the integrity to avoid cheerleading this crap and give the public an honest assessment of the funding schemes that will be jammed down our throats.
Nobody would ever call me a conservative, but I applaud the AJC’s decision to give you the editorial spot, I got real tired of Wooten’s knee-jerk “me and my little band of right-wingers” spiel but I find myself agreeing with your column way too often. Just don’t tell any of my lefty musician friends!
Vick Vaporized
November 19th, 2010
7:24 am
We lost our chance for a stadium, the Lombardi Trophy, and the hot chearleaders that go with it when we rid ourselves of Vick. It was all of you who bungled it. You stupid fatheads. You clumsy judgemental fools. You…..augh….sniffle….sigh.
joe
November 19th, 2010
7:43 am
Don’t you love the way these loser politicians fund these stadiums with rental car, hotel & whatever taxes that the can find. They say “Hey, we aren’t raising the citizens taxes, these are being paid by tourists & business travelers”
Oh yeah any new tax is a bad tax. Have you ever wondered why when you go to a hotel or rent a car either locally or when you’re travelling that that $149/ night hotel rate ends up being close to $200. That’s real productive for the economy & future travel, yea right.
Dag
November 19th, 2010
7:54 am
I don’t care about the Super Bowl. I just know that this is the South and it makes no sense to not be playing football outdoors. The environment of a game in the Dome is sterile. Elements make football more interesting. If Green Bay and Buffalo can have outdoor stadiums, why can’t we? If you’ve been to games both indoors and outdoors, you know what I mean. This is a game for outdoors. Here’s hoping to see many Falcon players pulling grass out of their faceguards at home games in the future!
Who Cares?
November 19th, 2010
7:55 am
What Swede Atlanta said on November 18th, 2010 at 2:30 pm! You get it! NO TAX DOLLARS! If the overpaid and overprivileged want a new playground, let them pay for it. If funding is dependent on tax payer dollars, forget it. The government’s broke anyway. If private business wants something to increase their profits, they need to fund it. It’s not the tax payers obligation nor responsibility to fund private business. For those who want to argue that point, let me know where the line starts, cause I need money for growing my private business too!
A Hearty Cheese Sauce
November 19th, 2010
8:15 am
Rangel cries like a little girl…LOL!! Ya…he is sorry he was caught like most of these thugs on TV.
Jimmy Poo
November 19th, 2010
8:19 am
I must say that I would prefer to watch a football game outdoors, meanwhile I could understand why the Dome is so important in this state…due to other events such as NCAA Basketball, Monster Jam, Wrestlemania, World Class Soccer, Motorcross, etc…. The Dome gives us an advantage but I would love to see a true Football Stadium in this city..but at what (tax payer) cost???
Jimmy Poo
November 19th, 2010
8:35 am
And while on the subject of Super Bowls, we must also consider Atlanta’s overall (newly found) infrastructure, cities such as Miami and New Orleans capture several Super Bowls because their cities are built for tourism and have good party/tourism districts and (a body of water helps as well). I would love to see Atlanta and the rest of the metro area increase the public transportation (trains) and to build a real party/tourism district such as a bourbon street…. Yes, it takes time and money but we need to find a way to attract tourists to the city without all of the hassles (traffic), remember when NBA All Star Week last came here? It was an absolute NIGHTMARE!!!!! Sidewalks, better public transportation, better Management, Better ELECTED OFFICIALS! is what this city Really needs!!!!!!
Steve
November 19th, 2010
8:39 am
There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with the Georgia Dome. Sure, it may not be all glitzy like Dallas, but it gets the job done.
Quite frankly, if politician in Atlanta is stupid enough to ask to the taxpayers to float another sales tax hike to fund a new dome in this economy they should all be taken out and beaten.
We can’t pay our firefighters, police, teachers and public service workers yet we can talk abotu building a new dome. RIDICULOUS!
I love sports and I am a huge Falcons fan, but I could care absolutely zilch for the Super Bowl being held in the ATL. A handful of local vendors make some money off the game and merchandise, but the majority of the big money winners have next to nothing to do with the city.
Just say NO to a new dome and Super Bowl. This ‘new stadium’ every 15 years nonsense has to stop.
Dano
November 19th, 2010
8:45 am
Very good book on the subject
Field of Schemes: How the Great Stadium Swindle Turns Public Money into Private Profit
Goldie
November 19th, 2010
8:52 am
“Rangel cries like a little girl…LOL!! Ya…he is sorry he was caught like most of these thugs on TV.”
LOL — reminds me of Nathan Deal’s problems while in Congress… got ethics???
Dano
November 19th, 2010
8:52 am
Keep up to date on the latest
http://www.fieldofschemes.com
A Hearty Cheese Sauce
November 19th, 2010
8:53 am
Its been along time coming for that crook Rangel and Waters…finally!!!
NO JUH-TIS, NO PEAS!
Marshal
November 19th, 2010
9:11 am
If Arthur Blank needs a new home for HIS team, let HIM build it. I don’t want a dime of my money going towards building a stadium to house some billionaire’s investment.
Melvin
November 19th, 2010
9:11 am
We don’t need to be throwing all that government money away on some sorry football stadium!
We need to be giving all that money to Obama Supporters so they won’t be forced to have to work for a living and they focus their evenings on their smash-and-grab hobbies and their days on just KEEPING IT REAL!
Praise Your Name, President Obama!!!!!!!!!!!
SAY NO to a NEW STADIUM!
November 19th, 2010
9:14 am
New stadiums don’t bring in jobs or revive neighborhoods. As a resident of Mechanicsville I can tell you first hand that Turner Field has only prevented growth in our stadium communities. There are several reasons for this…
1. They need room for parking. This need for parking is only exacerbated because investors buy houses and land around the stadium for parking. Most of these houses then sit vacant and uncared for.
2. Taxes. If the price of the land and taxes go up, it makes the land desirable and forces the Stadium to look elsewhere.
3. The wealthy don’t give a damn about giving back to the communities they demolish. It’s not a race thing, it’s a class thing.
SAY NO to a NEW STADIUM!
November 19th, 2010
9:15 am
Enter your comments hereNew stadiums don’t bring in jobs or revive neighborhoods. As a resident of Mechanicsville I can tell you first hand that Turner Field has only prevented growth in our stadium communities. There are several reasons for this…
1. They need room for parking. This need for parking is only exacerbated because investors buy houses and land around the stadium for parking. Most of these houses then sit vacant and uncared for.
2. Taxes. If the price of the land and taxes go up, it makes the land desirable and forces the Stadium to look elsewhere.
3. The wealthy don’t give a damn about giving back to the communities they demolish. It’s not a race thing, it’s a class thing.
A Hearty Cheese Sauce
November 19th, 2010
10:44 am
Agreed…NO NEW STADIUM!!
Ogeechee Dawg
November 19th, 2010
11:48 am
Enter your comments here
MrATL
November 19th, 2010
11:51 am
The author of this article, Kyle Wingfield, is obviously not a sports fan. He nonchalantly disposes of the ideas of bringing the Superbowl and World Cup to our city like they are amateur. These are two of the biggest sporting events in the World. Atlanta is a proud city and I believe we would be honored to showcase our city on a world’s stage such as the Superbowl and World Cup. There would be many benefits to hosting such events.
Ogeechee Dawg
November 19th, 2010
11:51 am
1. Keep GA DOME for another 5 years – then start looking at retractable roof facility.
2. ACC championship game belongs in Charlotte.
3. GT belongs in the SEC!!!!
– Expand league to 14 teams – adding TX A&M and TECH
OR
– Allow Arkansas to B12 – replace with GT – move KY to SEC WEST
4. ATL and the region need to focus on infrastructure – roads, water supply – and schools – while keeping taxes as low as possible.
Kyle Wingfield
November 19th, 2010
11:58 am
MrATL: You couldn’t be more wrong about my not being a sports fan. And I have no problem with having the Super Bowl or the World Cup in Atlanta…I just don’t think those events are worth spending tax revenues to build a new stadium.
James
November 19th, 2010
12:01 pm
We don’t need a new Dome all the Georgia Dome need is to be renovated.
Ogeechee Dawg
November 19th, 2010
12:01 pm
Mr.ATL – While I agree with your civic pride – would love to see the World Cup come to ATL……but would NOT build an open air facility for the purposes of World Cup.
IF the State of Georgia is going to make such a committment – We would need a retractable roof facility that would be in competition to do the following:
1. Keep the Falcons happy with good revenue stream.
2. Keep the SEC Championship game in the ATL
3. Keep Peach Bowl and Chick-fil-A kickoff classic.
4. Be in competition for NCAA basketball tournament – regionals or final 4.
5. Be attached to GA World Congress Center to use for special events, concerts, etc.
6. Location of Dome is good – need to buy more property around the dome for outdoor parking and figure out ways to widen streets for traffic.
I was originally against the DOME – as I love outdoor football. However, going to my first DOME event years and years ago – a Falcons game – it was pouring down rain – and being at the DOME was just FANTASTIC.
Since then, I have been to several SEC Championship games, basketball games and Falcon games – and to me – the DOME is part of the event!!
Fulton County Resident
November 19th, 2010
12:25 pm
Kelly in the PTC – I hope you run your golf cart into an oncoming bus.
Ogeechee Dawg
November 19th, 2010
12:34 pm
SAY NO to New Stadium….. hear what you are saying.
However, Here is reality and trivia for you:
1. Reality – Stadiums need to be located near highways to help with flow. Intersecting Highways is ideal.
Trivia: Mayor Ivan Allen pitched the site of where Fulton County Stadium is to Charlie Finley of the Kansas City A’s.
KC A’s were looking to move – and the reason why ATL got the Braves was because the Team Presidents voted against moving the A’s to Atlanta. Finley told Allen – you build that stadium in that location – ATL will get franchise.
Finley knew the Braves were looking to leave Milwaukee – and he knew if the stadium was built – he could pursuade MLB and the National League to move to ATL.
2. Tivia: Billy Payne wanted to build “Turner” field at it’s current location – thinking that it would do less harm to the total community – and level Fulton County Stadium for parking. Payne thought that the NEW stadium would benefit the city and the Braves without incurring HUGE debt to get a first class baseball facility and less impact to existing community as most of the traffic infrastructure was in place.
Beautification projects for the area were included in the initial plans.
TRIVIA – However, the plans to build at the current site were criticized by the “race and welfare politicians” as this gave them an opportunity to empower themselves with an issue. Payne was called a racist for picking that site.
Billy Payne looked to move Olympic stadium to the Atlantic Steel site. However, there were huge concerns about the cost to clean up Atlantic Steel site and potential cost over runs. As such – the same “RACE and WELFARE” politicians now called Payne a racist for denying the opportunity to develop the area – if a new stadium would be placed – where it currently is now situated. The race and welfare politicians almost blew it.
Atlantic Station was built on the old Atlantic Steel location.
3. As nostalgic as we are – Mechanicsville came to be because of it’s location to the Railroad hub – that is how it got it’s name. But the neighborhood has fallen on hard times as it is no longer the main suburb to a new and small city called Atlanta.
Bill Campbell
November 19th, 2010
12:38 pm
Nobody wants to drive downtown to that crime infested ghetto!
Maureen
November 19th, 2010
1:07 pm
For a city and state in financial distress, Kasim and his new friend, Sonny, sure have some big ideas on how to put us further into debt.
MrHughes
November 19th, 2010
1:10 pm
I’ve been a season ticket holder for the Falcons the last 9 years. What kills me is that most people who speak ill of the Georgia Dome have not likely been to as many Falcons games in their lifetimes as I go to in a year. I’m sick and tired of this John Madden football is meant to be played outside garbage. The gameday experience at Fulton County Stadium (an outdoor venue) was horrible. Half the summer you fry outside like bacon in a pan and in the winter you froze like nuts hidden for the winter. It wasn’t ideal. The Georgia Dome is 70 and you can go in jeans and a tshirt whenever you want! The Georgia Dome is profitable unlike the large majority of outdoor stadiums that sit empty for 340 days of the year (95%). I went to school in New England and went to many football games. If freezing your butt off outside is not fun in November, then it’s not fun in February either. In Greenbay the town owns the team and is much more of an exception rather than the norm. Buffalo is doing so great outdoors that they are talking about moving the team to Toronto.
Above all, tough economic times demand fiscal responsability. There’s nothing wrong with the Dome. And, the Dome isn’t even paid off yet! Georgia Dome 2.0 will be built with a retractable roof at the current site when Georgia Dome 1.0 is paid off and the economy is in a better place.The Falcons will play at Stanford Stadium/Grant Field for a year or two. Talking about this sounds is the epitome of irresponsible.
The GM site makes no sense! It’s not connected to Marta and is not adjacent to 3 interstates or the netowork of streets downtown like the Georgia Dome. Where’s the hotel or convention space that one would need to host the activities that go with a Superbowl, SEC Championship game, NCAA tourney, or Wrestlemania? And, the area… yea, I’d love to go to a game next to car dealerships and a Brandsmart USA. Sounds classy.
catlady
November 20th, 2010
7:00 pm
This is a way for some of our “leaders” to make money they desperately need to improve their bottom lines. Nothing less. Let the owner of the team pay for it; he can raise ticket prices if he likes. NOT ONE CENT from the taxpayers, unless they volunteer to pay for it via higher ticket prices!