Does Atlanta need a new stadium? No, but it’s getting one
Frank Poe and Rich McKay, laughing all the way to the construction site. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
On Monday, the man charged with making the Atlanta Falcons’ pitch for a new stadium actually made a case for the current one. “We don’t need a building to play in next Sunday,” team president Rich McKay said. “The Georgia Dome is a good building. We love playing in it. (Falcons coach) Mike Smith has an incredible record in it.”
So why, if the Dome is dandy, was McKay sitting at a dais with Frank Poe, executive director of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, briefing the assembled media an hour after the GWCCA board unanimously approved terms that will surely lead to the building of a new stadium?
Because in sports as in life, new and shiny trumps tried and true. The Dome opened in 1992, and it’s a nice place two decades on, but by 2017 it’ll be gone, having been rendered superfluous by its billion dollar baby brother.
Said McKay: “We need a new stadium for the long term, and the natural time to do that is at the end of a lease.”
The Falcons’ lease with the Dome is due to expire around 2017, and that was their pressure point. They didn’t threaten to leave town – “There was not a 1995-type lever,” McKay said, speaking of the days when teams told cities to build a new stadium or else – but they did make it known they had no interest in re-upping this lease. That left the GWCCA, which runs the Dome, with a choice it didn’t know it would have to make: Do we ditch a perfectly sound building to placate our biggest tenant?
To their credit, Poe and associates forged a not-terrible solution. The Falcons stand to foot 70 percent of the $1 billion it will take to erect a new stadium, with public money – roughly $300 million from a hotel-motel tax that affects mostly non-Georgians – making up the difference. There are those who wonder if that $300 million wouldn’t be better used to upgrade infrastructure or further education, but this leads us to the unanswerable question: Why should ballplayers earn millions while schoolteachers make do with thousands?
In pro sports, a new stadium is almost always a shared venture, and far less public money will be earmarked toward the Falcons’ new home than was the case, say, in Indianapolis with the Colts and Lucas Oil Stadium. That’s as it should be: The Falcons are the ones who wanted this, and they should pay the most.
When this new-stadium balloon was first floated, the thought was that the GWCCA might be so cowed by Arthur Blank that it handed the famous owner everything he wanted. Instead the Falcons will settle for one stadium — they first wanted the Dome to remain in place just down the street, a notion laughable on its face – with a retractable roof (as opposed to an open-air facility). And the site itself, which hasn’t officially been determined, figures to be south of the Dome, not north.
The GWCCA didn’t stop the Blank Express, but it slowed the momentum to the point that a compromise could be reached. The Falcons get what they wanted most, which is the right to control nearly everything about their new stadium and bank the money that comes with concession and parking – “We want to touch the customer in every way possible,” McKay said, surely not least in the wallet — but the edifice will remain the property of the state of Georgia.
In these uncertain times, handing $300 million in tax money to fund a stadium that will be run by a team owned by a billionaire isn’t an easy sell, especially when the building that team occupies is presentable enough that it will, come April, stage the big-ticket Final Four. But the Falcons had leverage – they could move to Doraville and leave the Dome vacant on NFL Sundays – and they applied it. The GWCAA fought its corner and will get what amounts to a newer Dome. Maybe everybody won’t win in this, but there shouldn’t be many losers.
And if not … well, nothing is forever. The Falcons will be obliged to stay in their new home for 30 years. Sometime around Year 20, they’ll start angling for something bigger and brighter. That’s the way of our world. Everybody wants the latest iPhone, even if the old one works fine. Every professional team wants a new stadium, even if the existing place still looks pretty darn good.
By Mark Bradley
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357 comments Add your comment
44counter
December 10th, 2012
3:36 pm
I thought GA was a RED state, T-Party headqtrs. I’m sure the GA legislature will put an end to this. You have to borrow money from the feds to balance your state budget and you still owe money to the feds for unemployment payments. Tell me this aint so. Just ask the tax payers in Gwinnett how’s the Braves AAA stadium is working out.
Arthur is a MULTI-BILLIONAIRE and he’s looking for handouts from the peasants. Hmmmm, did Bernie ask for handouts when he built the aquarium ?? But then again, this is the same city that wanted to tear down the Fox. Blew up the omni….just because. Why not blow up spaghetti junction….hell it’s older than the dome.
Ralph Barrett
December 10th, 2012
3:36 pm
@Big Gator: The Giants just got a brand new stadium LAST YEAR, genius!
Rob Zombie
December 10th, 2012
3:39 pm
This is only a good thing if the new stadium isn’t in the ghetto.
oldmike
December 10th, 2012
3:40 pm
Might be a good idea to win something before building a new home. Current trends notwithstanding, the future could turn ugly and the fans could stay away in droves. As it is they might be one more playoff loss from palookaville. How much revenue would $300 million invested in education and improving infrastructure generate? But sports rules.
Devil's Advocate
December 10th, 2012
3:41 pm
You people are late on this Doraville thing. The city already shot down the idea of a new stadium back in 2009!
http://atlantaunfiltered.com/2009/10/21/doraville-says-no-to-new-falcons-stadium-on-gm-site/
This is part of the reason why every report you see these days has the new stadium narrowed down to 2 choices near the current Dome.
He Hate Gator
December 10th, 2012
3:41 pm
The Super Dome is still usable but the Ga Dome is not?…..
Titletown USA
December 10th, 2012
3:41 pm
Does Atlanta have to keep up with Jerry Jones ?
Lambeau Field in Green Bay was built in 1957.
Tu87
December 10th, 2012
3:43 pm
Yes to the new stadium with a retractable room. Football is an outdoor sport.
Ralph Barrett
December 10th, 2012
3:44 pm
@Susan Peebles: They’re not increasing the hotel/motel tax, they’re just using it for a different stadium.
Who Cares?
December 10th, 2012
3:45 pm
Lets keep tabs on EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL who voted for the new unnecessary stadium and VOTE THE SOBS OUT OF OFFICE in the next election. WE will be stuck with the tab for the benefits and kickbacks that these corrupt self serving officials will benefit from. VOTE THEM ALL OUT. EVERY ONE OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!
George
December 10th, 2012
3:45 pm
Newer is always better. That’s why I’ve been married so many times!
Titletown USA
December 10th, 2012
3:46 pm
Can you imagine The Frozen Tundra with a retractable roof ?
DEAinATL
December 10th, 2012
3:46 pm
The 300 million of public(or $750 for every man, woman and child in Atlanta, or $30 for every Georgian) is just another example of how the ruling big capitalists divert our money to their own pockets.
I’ve never been to the Georgia Dome, couldn’t name a current professional athlete, and couldn’t care less if the Falcons moved to Doraville, or Idaho for that matter.
Just what do I get for my diverted tax dollars?
Donaldo
December 10th, 2012
3:46 pm
Officials should have raised the performance bar, win 2-3 Super Bowls as a requirement to get new stadium. This would make team, management, players way more accountable and the fans would eagerly support a team with a winning record. Officials folded like a house of cards……..
coach S
December 10th, 2012
3:47 pm
if this boondoggle is allowed to go thru and any taxpayer money is involved (even a bed tax “paid for by visitors”), the crook deal will be further exposed. maybe even enough to wake up the ignorant voters in this state that elected him. he’s already taken away lanes on our interstate highways paid for by our taxes and now rented to the rich folks who can afford them. and appointed bout 8 of his legislature buddies to 6 figure salaries with benefits, none of them qualified and all of them in financial need. new stadium my a__ , this sad state is scraping the bottom in education and refuses to help the needy with minimal health care!!!!!
madddawg
December 10th, 2012
3:48 pm
test
44counter
December 10th, 2012
3:48 pm
There’s sooooooo much I could say about looking at that photo at the top.
On well, not the place and time.
Tony
December 10th, 2012
3:50 pm
Newer, larger stadium just means more trash flowing down into Vine City from Mr. Blank’s customers tailgating on unsuitable ground on the other side of northside drive.
Random GaTech guy.
December 10th, 2012
3:50 pm
Your ‘unanswerable’ question regarding ballplayers vs. schoolteachers is actually dead simple to answer. Supply vs. Demand. Economics 101.
What you Mark Bradley seem to be pining for in your assertion that the income disparity is ‘unanswerable’ is known as ‘communism’.
It’s bad enough that sports writers call themselves journalists. But for God’s sake stay out of politics. You aren’t qualified to address those issues.
coach S
December 10th, 2012
3:51 pm
we’ll see just how stupid some politicians are with this one, all that do support this will be unelected next election
Buzzzed
December 10th, 2012
3:52 pm
“but the edifice will remain the property of the state of Georgia”
yeah, so the falcons don’t have to pay property tax on it, duh.
gbal
December 10th, 2012
3:52 pm
Use this hotel tax to fix downtown and create some type of destination element ot Atlanta. It is quite bluntly a dump as compared to other cities.. Your here for a weekend SEC or ACC event it works great and the game venue is exceptional… Here for a week long event with the world stage???? Its a one time event. i.e olympics, superbowl. I dont think it can be any other way.
DS CE'91
December 10th, 2012
3:53 pm
A stadium is one of the WORST public investments any government entity can undertake. There are numerous economic studies published out there that give specifics on just how bad this investment is (check out the Cato Institute and search on “public stadiums.”) The ONLY beneficiaries of this investment are the sports franchise owner and the sports league itself, which sees the value of its franchise dramatically increase.
And as for the asinine “out of towners will pay” argument, most of those folks will be Georgia residents. Further, if you are going to collect the $300M, there are many better ways to invest that money for economic development.
Somebody Please Tell me
December 10th, 2012
3:54 pm
Still nobody can tell me how New Orleans still gets Super Bowls with that Hell Hole they play in and the NFL Commish says Atlanta needs a New Stadium for another SB.
Buzzzed
December 10th, 2012
3:54 pm
@DEAinATL, you tax dollars aren’t going to towards this dome unless you stay in a hotel. READ THE ARTICLE.
maddawg
December 10th, 2012
3:55 pm
Bradley — never make it in business… The state retains ownership so that the falcons dont have to pay property taxes…. Let the Falcons own it !!! They are getting all the other revenue, let the taxpayers get something back out og the deal…
TGAD
December 10th, 2012
3:55 pm
By all means, build your billion dollar stadium in the cesspool of the state of Georgia.
Go north Mr. Blank.
monsters of the midway
December 10th, 2012
3:57 pm
Soldier Field in Chicago was built in 1924 and it still works.
maddawg
December 10th, 2012
4:01 pm
Buzzed — you are ann obama follower…. Right? OK explain… We have the right to impose a hotel/motel tax in Atlanta like any other city… We can take that money and improve roads, sidewalks, schools, transportation, …. or we can use it to build a new dome for AB. Ok we build the dome….
Now the roads, sidewalks, schools, transportation, …. still needs to be fixed… Who gets the tax for these…. More Hotel Motel taxes?? No, the citizens of Atlanta.
So now who is going to pay for the unnecessary stadium. You ultimately will.
This is just like saying we got a GRANT to do some project. Where does it come from??? Taxes.
Sdittie
December 10th, 2012
4:04 pm
Priorities are screwed up as usual. Funding for Infrastructure – No. Upgrades for water and sewer – No New stadium – yes of course. It’s entertainment!! It’s sports. It’s a game. Ridiculous.
urban redneck
December 10th, 2012
4:07 pm
this is horse shirt.
Class of '98
December 10th, 2012
4:07 pm
“unanswerable question”?????
The question of why athletes make millions and teachers make little has a very simple answer, Bradley. Hitting a curveball or a 100-mile per hour fastball, or covering Larry Fitzgerald, or boxing out Dwight Howard for a rebound are all VERY HARD things to do, and a very, very, very small percentage of our population can do them.
By comparison, a much higher percentage of people can teach English, math and social studies.
It’s called supply and demand, and it’s a beautiful thing.
W. Harris
December 10th, 2012
4:09 pm
If you think Atlanta is a dump, you haven’t traveled to enough cities. The “city” you live in is probably a glorified cul-de-sac, or you just believe the horror stories that your neighbors tell. Do us a favor and stay out of our beautiful city.
BradleyisaUGAHomer
December 10th, 2012
4:09 pm
Just shows what greed will do.
Devil's Advocate
December 10th, 2012
4:10 pm
Stadiums in Green Bay and Chicago aren’t hosting Super Bowls folks.
Kevin Orr
December 10th, 2012
4:11 pm
@Rob Zombie: you’ve never been to the ghetto. Trust me.
Macon Fan
December 10th, 2012
4:11 pm
Will somebody please tell me why Atlanta has to have a new stadium to get another Super Bowl but that 45 year old skank hole in New Orleans can still get them. Please, Please Please tell me.
Easy. More hookers.
PMC
December 10th, 2012
4:12 pm
well fine, arguing principals don’t matter in this country anymore anyway.
#Useless government.
maddawg
December 10th, 2012
4:13 pm
buzzed – You win a $10,000 scratch off and you 30 year roof is leaking.
You didnt work for this money, it was given to you for (yea for $1.00) .
Now are you going to fix the roof or go on a month long cruise and borrow the money next month to fix the roof?
Section 236
December 10th, 2012
4:13 pm
I’m calling it right now:
The new stadium will be called Home Depot Field and Atlantan’s will affectionately call it “The Depot.”
PMC
December 10th, 2012
4:14 pm
New Orleans is a tourist destination moreso than Atlanta. It’s pretty easy to see really. They have more fun things to do around the stadium by far than Atlanta.
New Orleans is one of the best party spots in America. Atlanta is a Delta Hub that is becoming better known for music and movie making.
Is what it is.
Fun Size
December 10th, 2012
4:14 pm
To me it’s a total waste of money, especially after the way they played yesterday. There are far better uses for those kind of $$ in ATL but common sense does not seem to matter when the high rollers make up their minds they need something done.
Pothole Posse
December 10th, 2012
4:15 pm
Can the potholes and sewers be repaired after the new stadium is built?
Coward of Bulldawg County
December 10th, 2012
4:15 pm
build it in Cobb or Cherokee…or forget it…downtown is why I don’t go now…and there are plenty of “me”’s around…
wreckbuzz
December 10th, 2012
4:16 pm
I’m not sure why people are opposed to this. There’s virtually no cost (so far) for local folks in taxes because the city’s contribution comes from a hotel/rental car tax which unless you are staying in a hotel or renting a car in the city that you live in (dumb) you won’t get dinged by it. Then the NFL is pitching in some of the money and the Falcons will pay the rest and any overages. Plus it will create construction jobs and might result in more jobs in the new stadium for those suites and more consession stands. And on top of that there will be at least one Super Bowl (if not more) and the potential to secure BCS national title games and/or upgrade the Chik-fil-a Bowl to a BCS destination. That all spells more revenue spent locally.
So what exactly is the down side for Atlanta?
Doug
December 10th, 2012
4:16 pm
A B O M I N A T I O N
PMC
December 10th, 2012
4:17 pm
I mean really, Walk Kasim Reed through his downtown by the stadium, and then go to San Diego or New Orleans or Boston or New York or Chicago etc.
We have the worst out of stadium experience in the entire nation. Atlanta is one of the most poorly planned cities in America. It’s not Mayor Reeds fault, morso that of his predecessors, but the goverment of this city between 1960 and 1980 when they built these stadiums and Marta was just pathetic.
They didn’t get ANYTHING right.
maddawg
December 10th, 2012
4:19 pm
Macon – That and there is an attraction in NO. Cassino, burbon street, hotels, all in safe walking distance. Party, gamble….. Thats it! Miami has their attraction…. all these repeat cities do. Atlanta might get a one time SB but nothing more. Just a boring city to visit…. Fine to live in!!
PMC
December 10th, 2012
4:20 pm
I should say up until 2000.
Marta STILL doesn’t go to the baseball stadium 1996. SMH.
44counter
December 10th, 2012
4:20 pm
The reason Atlanta hasn’t hosted the SB has nothing to do with the dome; afterall two were held here.
The ice storm in 2000 has been the “unspoken reason” for not being awarded the SB since.
So with a brand new stadium, how does Arthur and the powers-to-be have control over the next ice storm on SB weekend?? I’m sure they have a plan in mind……yes these people think they are God.