Kasim Reed: New Falcons stadium would fetch Super Bowl
Updated at 12:55 p.m.: See new material below.
Original: Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed says he doesn’t view removal of funds for a College Football Hall of Fame from a proposed state budget as any barometer of state Capitol enthusiasm for a new, publicly financed stadium for the Atlanta Falcons.
“I don’t take any message from it at all,” Reed said. “I know that the governor is committed to the stadium effort, that the Falcons are committed to it, and my message is real clear. We’re going to honor our commitment to be completely supportive to building a stadium. And that’s where I am.”
The mayor spoke about the a new Falcons stadium at the tail end of an interview about voter approval for a renewal of an essential sewer sales tax.
Reed says there’s still much negotiation to be done – and that he’s not likely to be deeply involved in those talks:
”The other parties can go on and work on their part of the equation. I’m only speaking for me, and what I have responsibility for, and that is the city’s contribution through our hotel/motel sales tax. [We] are going to completely support [owner] Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons.
“Now, are there moving pieces? I’m not playing a significant role in those conversations. The governor and the Falcons are in conversations – and the Georgia World Congress Center.
Among the reasons Reed cited for pursuing a new stadium, and why he is emphasizing his support:
”I believe we will be awarded a Super Bowl, and I think we have the best owner in America….
“No city that has engaged in a game of chicken with an NFL team has emerged from it well. If you look at San Francisco, for goodness’ sake, the San Franscisco 49ers stadium is now going to be in Santa Clara. Santa Claire is not Gwinnett. I rode it. It’s an hour and 15 minutes away from the city of San Francisco. “
A 75-minute trip? That is Gwinnett at rush-hour. But you take his point.
By the way, a spokesman for Nathan Deal says the governor isn’t directly involved in talks with Blank, but has been kept apprised of the situation through the GWCC authority.
Updated at 12:55 p.m.: My AJC colleague Jeff Schultz, on the sports side of this equation, says that when he equates a new stadium with a Super Bowl berth, Kasim Reed isn’t making a promise that can’t be kept:
Cities with new stadiums in NFL almost always get Super Bowls. It’s dangled as perk/carrot for local governments to approve taxes to build shining towers with martini bars that NFL likes. So this isn’t unusual. Among cities that have been awarded Super Bowls because of new stadiums: Houston; Detroit; Phoenix (Glendale), Dallas (Arlington), Indianapolis.
Super Bowl week is more of a vacation/party week for owners/sponsors/celebs than a sports event, so they want nice weather (Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami, Tampa, New Orleans). Owners swore off Atlanta after ice storm last time it was here. (They lucked out with weather in Indy this year.) The Atlanta Sports Council used to regularly bid for Super Bowls but they knew it was a lost cause so they don’t even try anymore. But a new stadium would change that.
On a related note, I covered a Super Bowl in Minnesota once. The Metrodome was about 10-years old at the time I think. The game was awarded mostly as a reward to Vikings’ long time owners. But it was miserable. Nobody ever went outside. Everybody walked everywhere in those downtown pedestrian tubes. It was like living in a Habitrail.
***
The Marietta Daily Journal has this on the husband of state Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, D-Austell, who is deeply involved in the state Capitol fight for charter schools:
Cobb school board vice chair David Morgan said Wednesday that he didn’t know board members were kept out of the loop about the partnership and grant application with STEM Inventors Academy.
The school board spent about 30 minutes of Wednesday’s six-hour work session talking about the district’s partnerships and Race to the Top grant applications with STEM Inventors Academy and Teach For America. Most of that time specifically was spent on the charter school, why it was not formally presented to board members earlier and Morgan’s association was with the school.
***
The Savannah Morning news is reporting that Gov. Nathan Deal probably won’t give a proposed Hutchinson Island convention hotel the tax break it says it needs to succeed:
Deal signed legislation calling for such help, but has worried out loud it might give some businesses a leg up over others.
Tourism officials and others have long sought to promote a large hotel that would attract bigger gatherings to Savannah.
But the idea of using tax dollars for such a venture in competition with existing hotels has sparked sharp dispute.
…The law lets $1 million-plus new tourism attractions and expansions of existing ones that draw at least 25 percent of their visitors from other states to get sales tax refunds.
***
In Washington, the defense industry has begun letting Congress know that December will be too late to address the across-the-board cuts mandated by last year’s failure to reach an agreement on debt reduction.
From DoD Buzz, a defense industry website:
“Industry really can’t wait until the lame duck session [to make preparations for the $500 billion dollar defense spending cut], and that is certainly true, it’s true in my company and it’s true in all the companies [in the defense sector,” said Lockheed Martin CEO Robert Stevens, referring to the post-November election session of the current Congress.
At an Aerospace Industries Association-sponsored lunch on the Hill, Stevens warned: “The very prospect of sequestration is already having a chilling effect on the industry. We’re not gonna hire, we’re not gonna make speculative investments, we’re not gonna invest in incremental training because the uncertainty associated with $53 billion of reductions in the first fiscal quarter of next year is a huge disruption to our business.”
***
A New York Times piece on the muted response in Afghanistan over the massacre of more than a dozen civilians by a U.S. soldier starts thusly:
The mullah was astounded and a little angered to be asked why the accidental burning of Korans last month could provoke violence nationwide, while an intentional mass murder that included nine children last Sunday did not.
“How can you compare the dishonoring of the Holy Koran with the martyrdom of innocent civilians?” said an incredulous Mullah Khaliq Dad, a member of the council of religious leaders who investigated the Koran burnings. “The whole goal of our life is religion.”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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241 comments Add your comment
Will
March 15th, 2012
11:28 am
A NEW stadium just for a one night stand for a Super Bowl ? What a waste of money.
Darth Hater
March 15th, 2012
11:31 am
Being a billionaire, it is easy to see why Mr. Blank’s much younger wife married him.
Before she reached her threshold of tolerance of disgust, that poor girl probably had to EARN every cent she got.
Ellijay dawgcatcher
March 15th, 2012
11:32 am
Canton would be a great spot for a new stadium…no MARTA, no problems…
ramguy68
March 15th, 2012
11:41 am
If they Falcons want a new stadium they should prop up GW Bush as as the “owner” like the Texas Rangers did and have him politic for it….then again most people has wised up about GW……but then again this is Georgia and the South.
Penjamo99
March 15th, 2012
11:41 am
Waste of money! If the NFL and or Mr. Blank want a new stadium let them use THEIR money not tax money. Public workers are taking mandatory furlough days and property taxes are way down. I don’t care if the money comes from hospitality tax it’s still tax money and government waste!! Somebody needs to say NO to the NFL.
Tommy
March 15th, 2012
11:41 am
I would rather have a horse racing track with a casino. Racino!!!
The Reverend Baby Doctor Bedpan
March 15th, 2012
11:42 am
Who cares about the weather? I care about money. The city has use of a relatively new stadium…..It has electricity and plumbing and everything. It’s like buying a car because the current one needs washing. As far as the Superbowl? Who cares? It’s that same idiotic small town thinking that your city somehow becomes more relevant if there are big events there. An overwhelming majority of the planet does not care about the location of the Superbowl. It’s like bragging that Atlanta has the busiest airport……Why does that matter?
No new stadium….Especially one that is so far from public transport.
I have to wonder how much Blank has given to Reed’s campaign……
Auntie Christ
March 15th, 2012
11:43 am
Reed has ambitions far beyond being Mayor of Atlanta, and is formulating a campaign finance plan modeled on Gingrich and Santorum’s, i.e. procure a billionaire sugar daddy to foot the bills and ride their check book to higher office. Author Blank will be Reed’s sugar daddy.
Mr Galloway’s comments regarding the stadium and the blurb re: “a proposed Hutchinson Island convention hotel (and) the tax break it says it needs to succeed:” demonstrate why the country and every municipality is going broke. The ‘good capitalists’ running the country are capitalists only when it comes to reaping the profits, the risks and costs are imposed on the public, while profits go into private coffers. Somehow republicans have convinced the American people that this scheme is in their ‘best interest.’ Ha!
ozzfest
March 15th, 2012
11:47 am
“I will trade you $960 million, paid for by the taxpayers who elected me…in exchange for $32 million in revenue to mostly private, and non-local companies over 5 days.”
Only in THE ATL
Shine
March 15th, 2012
11:48 am
Let Arthur Blank buy his own stadium. He needs to stop being a deadbeat.
The sales tax refund corporate welfare scheme needs axing. In a time when the legislature is foaming at the mouth to raise sales taxes here and there and wants us to vote ourselves more with T-SPLOST deceptions, the right path is to sales tax real property transfers. Buy a 4 million dollar buidling or farm or house, or plantation pay the consumption tax of about $280,000 or roughly the 7% I have to pay when I buy a car, toilet paper, or whatever.
The Truth
March 15th, 2012
11:54 am
No more corporate welfare! What’s good for the goose is good for the gander…
Welderman
March 15th, 2012
11:58 am
You mean to tell me you want to build a stadium when you already have one, but you let a NHL hockey team walk without even trying to save them? I’m sorry, but i really don’t care if you ever get a new stadium for the Falcons. When us Thrashers fans asked for a little help you just turned your back on us and i’m turning my back on this too.
Hillbilly D
March 15th, 2012
12:01 pm
No public money for a private business. We already went through this when Tom Murphy got the Dome for his buddy Rankin Smith. I’m sure Arthur has buddies, too. Socialize the costs and capitalism for the profits.
If Arthur wants a stadium, he can build whatever he wants, wherever he wants, as long as he pays for it and not the taxpayers.
MarkP
March 15th, 2012
12:03 pm
Let Gwinnett have the stadium. Or South Carolina for that matter. A hospital has a better economic impact for a city than a pro sports stadium, especially football, and especially where full time jobs are concerned.
Johninatl
March 15th, 2012
12:04 pm
Yes to retractable roof, yes to MLS. No to public financing. Super Bowl, ehhh. . .
MARTA desperately needs an overhaul. Beltline –> whatever happened to that? Could help improve public transport into something worthwhile, which is what most Super Bowl-hosting cities have.
rip
March 15th, 2012
12:05 pm
Can we use some of that new stadium money to get a few free agents for could get us to a Super Bowl. oh I forgot we used all of it on Matty ice
SomaAtl95
March 15th, 2012
12:05 pm
Welderman – AMEN! Us Thrashers fans really can’t feel bad for Mr Reed or Mr Blank. They had the power to save the team and did nothing, zero, zilch… They had no money or resources to help the Thrashers but Hey! Lets get rid of the dome because it MAY bring a superbowl. The dome can and should go another decade, Atlanta Fulton County Stadium made it for about 30 years, correct?
True Falcon Fan
March 15th, 2012
12:10 pm
11:48 You have a JOB or you don’t, you are either known as a “Skilled worker” or your not. Let me see here Obama wants to create JOBS, my guess is you probably voted for Obama. That being said you voted for “CHANGE” right? Well Obama hasn’t changed nothing more than increase our debt! But you still remain without a JOB…..A new stadium if starting construction today, would take 28 months to completion. However you don’t want a new stadium. You probably do NOT you want a JOB!
So if i were in Atl, then i would vote for new stadium as long as it’s located someplace close to “Buckhead”!
TruthBe
March 15th, 2012
12:12 pm
Why should we the taxpayers pay for a new stadium for a billionaire owner. We don’t get any of the profits from this great expense. Let Arther Blank pay for his own stadium. As for mayor Reed it seems he’s still high on the tax fix he got from the water sales tax increase. Can’t keep a good corrupt tax and spend democrat like Reed alone with your tax money or your daughter. The Falcoons couldn’t win a superbowl ever. I wish they could but we have more chances winning the lottery than the Falcoons winning a superbowl. And by the way the Georgia Dome was suppost to bring us a superbowl remember that lie. Wake up morons.
Wake Up Georgia!
March 15th, 2012
12:14 pm
I am as much for progress as anyone and have supported Atlanta efforts since a child, but the city does not need a new stadium funded by the public. If Arthur Blank wants to pay for one himself, go to it.
watchful eye
March 15th, 2012
12:15 pm
1. The reason why a new stadium is wanted is for the luxury suites. Believe it or not most of the money made is not from the fans but from the businesses that buy or rent out the suites. By the standards of the NFL the GA Dome was not built as a great football stadium. The Olympics took first thought with Football being the after that. Stadiums are now more that just going and watch games its about the experience while there.
2. The reason why you cant put a Retractable roof on the Dome is because it was not built for that and to do the things necessary for that to happen is a cost of anywhere from 25-35% of what a new stadium would cost. And still would not solve major problems that the dome has
3. A Super Bowl generates money for the city and region that it comes to…….residents of the average Super Bowl host city gain between $30 million and $90 million in extra restaurant checks, merchandise sales, new construction, and other revenue streams.
4. Most have asked whats the difference between the Super Bowl and the SEC, the Chick fil a Bowl and the NCAA… The last super bowl was the most watch TV show in the world with an average 111-million people who watched Fox’s Super Bowl broadcast Sunday making it the most-watched event in TV history. Secondly between 100,000- 250,000 visit the host city for the week span that the super bowl covers.
So people Im not saying we need a new stadium or if built that it need to leave downtown but I just answering some question that a few have asked.
BobDawg
March 15th, 2012
12:16 pm
AB is going to get his Stadium no matter what you all are screaming and gnashing your teeth about. Reed is smart and knows he can’t win here and all he can do is direct it downtown… Me personally, I would put it at the Old GM plant site in Doraville and build a retractible roof. Great roads in and out of there with Marta close by, DUH! Imagine the SEC Chmship and the ACC Chmship playing on the same day in the same town hours apart… That would be cool!
bigman80
March 15th, 2012
12:19 pm
its sad i think a new stadium would be good for a superbowl even though the falcons wont be in a superbowl soon smgdh wat is up with the falcons can we get a free agent please without any medical issues damn im just saying
0bama=Feces
March 15th, 2012
12:19 pm
Speaking of the intermingling of sports and politics, I do not give a flying [Expletive Deleted by AJC Censors] about 0bamaJiveTalker’s “March Madness” picks.
Ergo, [Expletive Deleted by AJC Censors] You and Your Unending Lovefest for that Snake-Oil Hustler, ESPN!
0bama=Feces
March 15th, 2012
12:19 pm
Same to you and your new stadium, Blank!
Tommy Maddox
March 15th, 2012
12:20 pm
I was just kidding when I mentioned last night on Ledbetter’s blog that a new stadium would make the Falcons winners. I didn’t mean for someone to take it seriously…
Double Zero Eight
March 15th, 2012
12:21 pm
They don’t have to build a new stadium in New Orleans
to get a Super Bowl,The Georgia Dome is better than the
Super Dome.
yuzeyurbrane
March 15th, 2012
12:26 pm
You know it’s a scam when both Reed and Deal claim they are not actively engaged in new stadium negotiations. What they really mean is that they know they are being bad by rewarding super-donor Blank while, in Reed’s case not properly attending to basic local needs which could be met with tourist tax funds and, in Deal’s case by cutting education by billions. We know which piper they dance to. Nothing gets into the legislature w/o Deal’s OK—so why did he propose legislation to spend $5 million purchasing more land for new stadium? Please guys, don’t pxxx on my foot and tell me it’s raining. As far argument on merits, there has never been a publicly funded stadium project where claimed benefits were not grossly exaggerated and costs grossly underestimated. Let Blank build the stadium he wants where he wants it with his own billionaire cash if it is such a profitable idea. Good old free enterprise. I am sick and tired of corporate welfare paid for by us middle class schleps.
TruthBe
March 15th, 2012
12:27 pm
Auntie, The democrats are far worst and far better capitalized at corruption then the republicans can ever be. Especially with public taxpayers funds, bonds, and grants. The DEMOCRATS have all of these community organizations, liberal groups, racist groups like NAACP, Urban League, SPLC, ACLU, LaRaza, Thug Unions, Federal Corrupt Judges, Lawyers Unions, Teachers Unions, Acorn, the Obamas and the Clintons, George Soros, Warren Buffet, and the rest of Wallstreet, OWSers, the media, Colleges,and people like you Auntie Christ.
Double Zero Eight
March 15th, 2012
12:33 pm
Ask the citizens of Gwinnett County how Cool Ray Field
is working out for them, compared to the promises made
by the politicians.
richard head
March 15th, 2012
12:34 pm
arthur blank is worth 1.5 billion and he is the one who will make all the money off this deal,him and a bunch of millionaire ballplayers,can’t see where the average citizen would benefit at all, arthur if you want the stadium build it yourself with your money,not mine
weasel
March 15th, 2012
12:38 pm
did’nt jerry jones pay for his new stadium in dallas with his own money?
Jimmy62
March 15th, 2012
12:39 pm
If the Falcons can’t afford to buy themselves a new stadium, then no stadium. Study after study has shown that taxpayers lose money from these deals, both in the short and long term. The idea that getting a Superbowl will somehow make up for it in extra revenue has also been disproven. Cities have to start taking a stand against this nonsense, and if Reed and Deal want to fold and take our money and give it to the Falcons, then we’ll just have to find different people to fill their offices.
There is nothing wrong with the Georgia Dome. If the NFL doesn’t like it, the NFL is welcome to pay for a new one. But Atlanta taxpayers should not spend another penny on thus junk.
TruthBe
March 15th, 2012
12:39 pm
Reed is dishonest and corrupt, he’s only thinking of his own carrer path which isn’t in Atlanta. According to people downtown at city hall Reed is working for a bigger job with Obama in his second term as the destructor-in charge. GOD help us all. Obama has to go and take your little brother Kasim with you.
DannyX
March 15th, 2012
12:40 pm
Why the class warfare people?
Just shut up. The rich are entitled to an air conditioned luxury suite. Our rich need to be pampered. The average fan should help out and just feel lucky to sweat and freeze in your cramped seats. Why the class war?
Mr Blank is facing hard times right now, the gazillion dollar tv contract the NFL just signed is not enough. How would you feel if right next door at Philips Arena there was a whole side of an arena dedicated to the rich? Half of Philips arena is made up of a tower of luxury suites. Is that any way to treat our rich football fans????? The PRODUCERS!!
We need to use our valuable tax resources where they are needed.
Get a job!!!!
Jimmy62
March 15th, 2012
12:41 pm
Watchful Eye: The $60 million a city’s businesses might earn from a Superbowl is far less than the hundreds of millions they are likely to lose building a new stadium.
Emmanuel Hall
March 15th, 2012
12:43 pm
I am as insane about sport’s as most American men and many womne, but I will fight to the end if there is any attempt to finance a new football stadium on the backs of the taxpayers of Atlanta. I might re-consider, if such a tax is imposed state-wide or rigionally. We will not be fooled by the lure of a Super Bowl. If the Falcon’s want an open air stadium, they can take the top off the one they have.
William Smith
March 15th, 2012
12:45 pm
Only in America. A billionaire gets average working people to pay for a stadium not needed, and will then raise ticket prices to pay for it. The final insult is most people can’t afford to buy tickets to the games, and by no means can afford a Super Bowl Ticket. Where are the owners who actually care about the fans. On I forgot they are in the sky box with Mitt Romney.
Double Zero Eight
March 15th, 2012
12:45 pm
@Falconfan68
I concur. We nearly froze to death
at the old stadium. If it was raining or cold,
there were 15,000 to 20,00 no shows.
There is nothing wrong with the Georgoa Dome.
The Truth
March 15th, 2012
12:47 pm
The ‘job creators’ already received various tax breaks so they can create jobs which hasn’t happened. Now a corporatist like Arthur Blank wants to receive corporate welfare so he can ‘create jobs’ from Atlanta getting the Super Bowl? How stupid do the politicians and corporatists think we are? HELL NO to public financing of a stadium so the profits can be privatized. Be warned Arthur Blank and the rest of you corporatists! We have learned your tricks and lies.
TruthBe
March 15th, 2012
12:52 pm
The Obama’s and the Clinton’s are part of the corporatists just like Blank.
ATl Sports
March 15th, 2012
12:52 pm
NO NEW DOME – NO SUPERBOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jon Swift
March 15th, 2012
12:53 pm
Georgians should heed the recent lesson from the taxpayers in Seattle, Washington. The NBA put a gun to their heads but the citizenry stood fast and said ‘no new arena,’ particularly because the existing arena was completely remodeled and overhauled less than 10 years before the NBA’s shakedown attempt.
Now last month a private investor has come forward to build a new arena in Seattle with a minimal contribution from the taxpayer’s pocket. Take heed Georgia!!! The days of sports leagues blackmailing the public are coming to an end. At least in smart cities.
The Truth
March 15th, 2012
12:54 pm
We can include the Bushes, Santorums, Gingriches and Romneys into the corporatist crowd as well.
Grasshopper
March 15th, 2012
12:55 pm
A new stadium?
I’m still waiting for Home Depot to deliver my new storm door.
Atlanta Media Guy
March 15th, 2012
12:55 pm
By the way, I had many friends in the media industry who spent more than a week in Indy for the Super Bowl. The weather was lousy for one day and the rest were rather nice, sunny, temps in the 50’s. One look at that street festival that led to their Dome would tell you all kinds of people came out for the NFL activities that surround a Super Bowl.
Atlanta has a problem and no one with the NFL will mention it. Our current dome and the property they are seeking to build the new stadium is in the lousiest part of town. There are no areas west of Northside Dr. that are safe for an outdoor street festival or let alone any night time events. Our sports facilities were built in the wrong place. Why do you think that our Olympic folks were hoping to build Olympic Stadium at the Atlantic Station site. Just think if the Braves were playing on that property today?
FalconFreak
March 15th, 2012
12:56 pm
Taxpayers need to have their heads examined if they let the mayor and cohorts pull this off. These deals are net LOSERS for TAXPAYERS!
te29wr
March 15th, 2012
12:57 pm
New Orleans, Rose Bowl, Miami, and others do not have to build a new stadium for a Super Bowl let them freeze their butts of in NYC next year. We do not need a new stadium unless Mr Blank wants to build one and pay for it himself.
Mark
March 15th, 2012
12:58 pm
@ DS
March 15th, 2012
10:43 am
Mayor Reed demonstrates that he is a total fool. Study AFTER study has clearly demonstrated that stadiums build SOLELY for the purposes of attracting the SuperBowel Movement become white elephants around the taxpayers’ necks. Atlanta does not need a new open, air white elephant, when the Dome is perfectly acceptable. Only in the ego driven work of the NFL would a perfectly acceptable 20-year old stadium be considered ancient.
I completely agree with you! What I don’t find wise is why does the city need a new stadium when there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the dome? Just who’s going to fund this project? Taxpayers of course.
FalconFreak
March 15th, 2012
12:59 pm
Say NO to this idea unless taxpayers don’t mind footing the bill. Yeah, it would be nice, but we really can’t afford it. One superbowl every 15 years is not going to bring enough revenue to Atlanta to pay for it. You will.