Question on new stadium remains: Why so soon?
If you haven’t yet read Jeff Schultz’s column today about whether it would be “the worst thing in the world if the Falcons moved to the suburbs,” I recommend it. Spoiler alert: Schultz thinks it would not be the worst thing in the world if that were to happen.
Although I think downtown is ultimately far preferable to the suburbs for the Falcons’ home games, Schultz makes a number of good arguments. But this is the part to which I want to draw your attention (with emphasis added):
The [San Francisco] 49ers couldn’t get a downtown stadium deal done, so they’re moving to Santa Clara, 30 to 45 minutes away. … By the way, Candlestick Park is 53 years old.
The [New York] Giants left the old Meadowlands stadium, which was 34 years old. The [Miami] Dolphins left the Orange Bowl, which was built in 1939. The [Dallas] Cowboys and [New England] Patriots left stadiums that were opened in 1971. The [Washington] Redskins left RFK Stadium, built in 1961.
The Georgia Dome opened in 1992.
For me, much of what’s disquieting about the drive to ditch the Dome is the timing. In 2017, by which time the Falcons insist they’ll be in a new stadium, the Dome will be a mere 25 years old.
The stadium the 49ers are leaving is twice as old (53) as the Georgia Dome will be in 2017. The same goes for the Dolphins’ old stadium (48) when their new stadium opened in 1987.
The stadium the Giants and New York Jets replaced was about as old (34) as most Georgians probably believed the Dome would be when it was replaced. Ditto for the old stadiums of the Cowboys (38), Patriots (29) and Redskins (36).
I think it’s fair to assume most Atlanta residents recognize that the Dome will have to be replaced at some point in time. I think it’s also fair to assume most of us wonder why that point in time is coming so soon after the Dome was built.
Of course, the Dome will need money for repairs if it stays open. As the AJC has reported, professional estimates of those costs run from $115 million by 2020 (when the Dome would hit 28 years of age) to $401 million by approximately 2035 (when it would be 43 years old).
So, it seems questionable to most people outside the Falcons organization that the Dome has to be replaced so soon. If we having this discussion five to 10 years from now, it would be going a lot differently.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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545 comments Add your comment
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 17th, 2013
9:02 pm
hagel will never be confirmed, bandaid kerry will soon be going the way of Bernie Madoff, menedez is going to have enough time on his hands to do the wild thing with as many underage Dominican chicks as he wants, at least until the bribe money runs out and no one will ever be appointed to serve on your beloved death panels.
Deal with it.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 17th, 2013
9:04 pm
I thought Kyle banned you.
It’s funny, but another lib blogger self banned himself and now the blog is open around the clock.
I guess I wasn’t the problem.
getalife
February 17th, 2013
9:05 pm
hagel will be confirmed and the rest of your rant shows you are in desperate need of mental health care.
They will take your guns if you are mental.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 17th, 2013
9:05 pm
Plus, we are going to start referring to obozo, the golfing vacation president, as a lame duck.
Deal with it.
America is back.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 17th, 2013
9:07 pm
All of my guns passed the FBI background check. How many obozo voters can say that?
getalife
February 17th, 2013
9:08 pm
America is back thanks to President Obama.
Lets recap, President Obama 2.
cons zero.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 17th, 2013
9:11 pm
I don’t buy my guns like a lib does, I go to other decent, morally upstanding Americans and pay them a fair price. And then I submit to the laws of the land. How many obozo voters can say that?
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 17th, 2013
9:12 pm
The 4 trillion bargain is on the table.
———-
Raising taxes on the productive does not reduce spending.
Try again.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 17th, 2013
9:14 pm
I go to other decent, morally upstanding Americans and pay them a fair price. And then I submit to the laws of the land.
———-
That’s not exactly the Chicago Way, is it?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 17th, 2013
9:15 pm
The Republicans are back. Boehner wiped away the tears and passed the baton to hairy reed. He learned his lesson well, you cannot trust a dummycrat whatsoever, although he could have saved himself two years of embarrassment had he just listened to me. Now it’s up to you libs to present your own filthy ideas with your name all over them.
Game on.
getalife
February 17th, 2013
9:16 pm
The turtle was the deal maker.
The crybaby ran home to mommy.
md
February 17th, 2013
9:17 pm
“I switched from Independent to Democrat because they stopped your party from robbing SS and Medicare.”
That statement right there indicates that you are a follower vs a leader. A leader will go out and do the research that will clearly tell you that both programs are in trouble.
Doing nothing get will not save it and will eventually lead to many more suffering because of it. You seem to delude yourself into looking at the situation through the short term pair of glasses vs the long term pair……..
Short term, Hitler was great for Germany……long term???
getalife
February 17th, 2013
9:19 pm
Germany made the EU force austerity and they are in a triple dip recession.
That is what you cons want too.
bluecoat
February 17th, 2013
9:21 pm
All my guns passed the FBI background test.Did not think slingshots were subject to test,but owners?????????
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 17th, 2013
9:27 pm
Environmental groups gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Sunday and marched on the White House for a climate change rally largely aimed at pressuring President Obama to reject the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline.
DC WIND CHILL 16°F…
morons
md
February 17th, 2013
9:28 pm
“I switched from Independent to Democrat because they stopped your party from robbing SS and Medicare.”
Oh, i “get” it now…..it was all about you…….
Now it makes sense.
Bruno
February 17th, 2013
9:32 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvf5rVzmHuc
Dusty
February 17th, 2013
9:32 pm
Well, looks lilke I got here a little late tonight. But…
Thanks, getalife, for reaching Josef.. He may answer later.
I think the Climate discussion was full of good points and sound.info. Both sides had definite ideas. a bit trying at times but nobody fell asleep over the “battle”.
MARKV, I am glad you consider the future of my children and all others in a supposition. I don’t let my imagination run too far in certain fields such as climate but am only too glad to have scientists continue to study everything in our universe.
But I am in no way in an emergency state as I might be if a meteoritie were heading for us at 18,000mph. Even then, at that speed, just cross your fingers is about the extent of preparation.
RAFE, You understand my worry about the deficit very well. It isn’t a run-ro-the-bunker kind of emergency but it certainly has untold ;problems for the future. We can’t stop meteorites but we can slow spending. I’m for that!
BRUNO, I’m not getting in a debate with you. What an IQ! What book larnin’!! BUT do you know how to COOK???
HILLBILLY, quit playing all that banjo pickin’ and stuff. It’s worse than opera. I’m a city slicker!!
PS: Wonder if @@ has moved to the country. Haven’t heard from her lately..
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
February 17th, 2013
9:41 pm
Would you be surprised to hear that the human race is slowly becoming dumber, and dumber? Despite our advancements over the last tens or even hundreds of years, some ‘experts’ believe that humans are losing cognitive capabilities and becoming more emotionally unstable.
Yes, dummycrat ideas like “global warming” and other ecotrash are dumbing down the populace. Aristotle did not sit around all day thinking about who would pay for his condoms. Socrates did not dwell on killing his offspring. Einstein didn’t spend all his efforts hating on Big Business.
Let the dummycrats herd the simpletons. Rejuvenate your cognitive thinking abilities and join the Republican party.
Hillbilly D
February 17th, 2013
9:50 pm
Dusty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJOIqmlI65Y
Bruno
February 17th, 2013
9:54 pm
BRUNO, I’m not getting in a debate with you. What an IQ! What book larnin’!! BUT do you know how to COOK???
Can’t cook much, but I will take you out to dinner. Is Burger King ok??
Hillbilly D
February 17th, 2013
9:59 pm
Bruno
Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce ………
Bruno
February 17th, 2013
10:01 pm
Back at ya, HD:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uOy3WdT3mY
Hillbilly D
February 17th, 2013
10:07 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6x_hEfiGgE
Bruno
February 17th, 2013
10:11 pm
Get your handkerchiefs ready:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7knUFWY2P44
Dusty
February 17th, 2013
10:19 pm
HILLBILLY
THANKS a lot! Musta been a dozen of those thangs! Well, anyway, Earl DID have most of his teeth!!!
BRUNO
Us gourmets is all alike! BurgerKing and a Whooper ! Vunderva!!
Unfortunately , my schedule is full of board meetings! Yes! But here’s to the future and a golden BK crown! Oh oh !! Tres beau!
moonbat betty
February 17th, 2013
10:27 pm
I fawt the law and the law won!
I fawt the law, and the law won.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k8es2BNloE
moonbat betty
February 17th, 2013
10:28 pm
Hi Dusty!
Dusty
February 17th, 2013
10:34 pm
Hi moonbat….sounds like you R A law abidin’ citizen.
When did that happen????
Bruno
February 17th, 2013
10:35 pm
Cool Black Keys, betty.
I doubt if Matz will check in this late, but this one goes out to her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey3LfUg4V2U
Bruno
February 17th, 2013
10:39 pm
I guess, all in all, I’ve lived a fairly charmed life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC1NR7AL_9s
bluecoat
February 17th, 2013
10:40 pm
I don’t believe thr females fit into the dumber part.Women are fast advancing.Men are falling behind fast.
Bruno
February 17th, 2013
10:44 pm
Some Goo-Goo Dolls:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kGX6707GtM
Bruno
February 17th, 2013
10:47 pm
It’s 3 AM somewhere:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-Naa1HXeDQ
Bruno
February 17th, 2013
10:52 pm
For…….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuHVZ_-b868
bluecoat
February 17th, 2013
10:56 pm
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,314681,00.html chimps smarter than humans short term memory.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
February 17th, 2013
10:57 pm
Sen. McCain claims ‘massive cover-up’ on Benghazi
While discussing the contentious confirmation hearings for defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel, things got a bit heated on Sunday’s “Meet The Press” when Sen. John McCain referred to the lack of information from the White House surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012 attacks in Benghazi as a “massive cover-up.”
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/mccain-massive-cover-benghazi-193426972–politics.html
——————–
Progtards loved him when he was criticizing “Zero Dark Thirty”, but not so much now.
Hillbilly D
February 17th, 2013
10:58 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5GjzA3xcaY
MarkV
February 17th, 2013
11:04 pm
Rafe @8:00 pm
Oh come on, Rafe,
Your “answers” do not even qualify as arguments. As for the debt/GDP ratio, your answer could be called “deliberate misunderstanding,” if I wanted to be charitable. My point was not how those values of the ratio happened, but that when it happened in the past, the country still survived. Regarding the “earth was much warmer before,” that is an ignorant argument I have no time for now. If you do not realize it yourself, there is probably no hope for you, but if you want, I can address it later.
Bruno
February 17th, 2013
11:09 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJM7TdshUbw
MarkV
February 17th, 2013
11:14 pm
Dusty @ 9:32 pm
Dusty,
Sadly, you did not answer my question. It was not a difficult question, and did not require any scientific knowledge. Unless, of course, you answer is in your second paragraph, that is, that you would choose to cross your fingers rather than support a way to avoid the disaster.
Old Timer
February 18th, 2013
12:07 am
Let the Falcon’s Move unless Blank and the NFL wants to pay for it–that is what we have TV’s for.
Techfan
February 18th, 2013
4:26 am
Are they going to try to build the new stadium out of “space foam” or something? If not, why can’t all of the comments not related to the topic be tossed into some other chat forum? Please!!!!!
Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America
February 18th, 2013
9:03 am
MarkV
No need to spill the koolaid/expand on your thoughts, I’ve already read the Dem/Obama policy/positions, so I know your positions. I have just looked at the evidence and arrived at a different opinion.
MarkV
February 18th, 2013
10:18 am
Rafe @ 9:03 am
Rafe,
Previously (@8:00 pm) you tried to make silly arguments, but at least you tried that. Now you have just resorted to stupidity, in other words, you showed yourself in the true light. Congratulations.