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
Native Atlantan
March 15th, 2012
12:59 pm
@watchful eye — the Dome was not built with the Olympics in mind, it was built specifically for the Falcons and other events suited for its size. I agree with most of the posts here — we don’t need a new stadium and certainly not one funded by the public. As far as the Super Bowl goes, who cares….we have such a black eye from the last one I’m not sure people would want to come back. Think about it — what the heck is there to do in Atlanta during the winter? I love my city but I’m a realist…..there isn’t much to hand our hats on when we talk about downtown.
yellowdog.
March 15th, 2012
1:00 pm
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY A GAG ORDER ON VICTOR HILL HEADLINE IS STILL UP ONLINE FOR THE PAST TENDAYS/TO TWO WEEKS; AND WHO CARES ABOUT VICTR HILL; he is a creep and no public servant.
next, lets get the water situation done before we start talking about the falcons; no one has yet to explain why the dome is not enuf; are we selling out season seats? are they winning? enuf already.
Hindu Elvis Pimp
March 15th, 2012
1:00 pm
The notion that a Superbowl is a must for our economy is garbage if we have to spend half a billion. It would make sense if the Superbowl was here every year, but it won’t happen.
It’s easy to see that those who favor it are the ones who will gain the most and the ones who believe the spurious rhetoric. Those who are opposed are the ones who do not want to see public money spent to only serve a few as well as those who see the current facility is more than suitable. If the Dome we 35 years old, then yeah, time for e new stadium. There is plenty of life left.
As someone pointed out, the Superdome is old….Older than the Georgia Dome. They still get Superbowls. There still may be hope…..The city needs to concentrate on other reasons to get people interested in visiting Atlanta…..And if not…..So what?
Randall
March 15th, 2012
1:08 pm
No new stadium… Blank needs to pay for it himself! This is outrageous! Reed and Deal need to hear from the taxpayer and SOON. When will our society value education, infastructure and quality-of-life for the average citizen over corporate greed? A new taxpayer funded stadium in this economy is foolish. If Blank wants to take the Falcons to another city, then let’s have a parade to wish them well (whatever city gets them won’t see a superbowl championship anyway). Almost every city that has been duped into building new stadiums with taxpayer money has gotten screwed with no vaseline. Oakland, CA sticks out in my mind.
On a different note… I really wish there was a way to tax MARTA riders who don’t live in Fulton or Dekalb. Gwinnett and Cobb were foolish to not opt into MARTA when it was being built. Let those fools ride those gas guzzling, slow and inefficent buses until they beg to extend MARTA rails into their counties.HOT lanes? What a rip-off! Georgia is such a backwards state full of idiots whose opinions and views are often colored by racism and a sense of white entitlement.
Admiral Obvious
March 15th, 2012
1:08 pm
To build anything less than a retractable roof like Indy’s is utterly STUPID. I cannot imagine sitting outdoors watching the Falcons play football in late December with typical cruddy Atlanta weather. Indy did get lucky this year with the weather and thank god for global warming but don’t count on that every year.
Jeff
March 15th, 2012
1:11 pm
Whats the big deal about hosting a Super Bowl especially if you ain’t in it. Seriously, just a big hassle for us locals.
real john
March 15th, 2012
1:12 pm
+1 to most of the comments made. Love sports, but no need for a new dome.
Blank needs to spend more time figuring out how to put a worthwhile product on the field that doesn’t embarass itself once playoff time arrives. Who knows, maybe if the Falcons could actually win a Super Bowl, maybe the Falcons would make enough to build their own stadium.
real john
March 15th, 2012
1:13 pm
Oops..meant “no need for new stadium.”
NO NEW STADIUM NEEDED!!
March 15th, 2012
1:16 pm
THE FALCONS DO NOT NEED A NEW STADIUM. If its OPEN AIR, ATL fans are FICKLE. ANY sort of hint of rain, sleet, coldness, hotness.. FANS WILL STAY AWAY. The DOME IS FINE. The Mayor didn’t do JACK @#)$*#)$* To keep the Thrashers here but he wants a new stadium. They need to get off their high horse and forget about the idea. THE DOME IS FINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Angel Macaroni
March 15th, 2012
1:18 pm
An open-air stadium won’t work in Atlanta because the “fans” are candy-ass yuppies. Too Roswell-Dunwoody-Buckhead prissy to sit in the cold.
real john
March 15th, 2012
1:18 pm
I blame Roger Goddell for most of this madness. He is the one who is pushing the idea that if your city builds a new stadium, you get a Super Bowl. I’m a huge football fan, but the NFL is crazy.
I don’t see Georgia, TN, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, South Carolina having trouble putting 90-100k in their college stadiums. Most of those are 60, 70+ years old and nicer than some of the NFL’s newer stadiums and have much more character.
Andy
March 15th, 2012
1:20 pm
The City of ATL needs a new Dome/Dump like it needs more welfare mommas.
If Kasim wants this so bad for a single SB event, he needs to raise local property taxes and fund this stadium with City of ATL taxes.
david c
March 15th, 2012
1:22 pm
Building a new stadium with public funds is just the American way. Further entitling the entitled. F**k Arthur Blank.
Gman
March 15th, 2012
1:22 pm
Why not combine priorities: We could build a large prison and have the Falcons play there. At least the place would be full and nobody would leave early. Of course, the city would then open themselves to charges of cruel and unusual punishment.
Redstateneck
March 15th, 2012
1:23 pm
Suwanee Falcons has a nice ring to it.
jim pa
March 15th, 2012
1:24 pm
the idea that sports teams represent cities is preposterous,these are for profit businesses only,they enrich arthur blank only and the highly paid ballpalers and that’s it, and most sports fans are dumb enough to buy into the notion that these are “our teams” and that whole notion is crazy
Andy
March 15th, 2012
1:25 pm
Gman- That was my opinion on what to do with the old Braves stadium….turn it into a prison.
God knows the City of ATL could never have enough jail/prison space.
Andy
March 15th, 2012
1:26 pm
Maybe Bernie Marcus should have built Arthur a stadium instead of that stupid looking little joke of an aquarium that doesn’t even compare to the Chattanooga Aquarium?
Redstateneck
March 15th, 2012
1:27 pm
Maybe Marietta Mean Machine
Lunacy rules supreme
March 15th, 2012
1:28 pm
Is anyone else fed up with our politicians raising taxes and spending our money on grandiose extravagances like new stadiums? Screw Arthur Blank, if he wants a new stadium, let him pay for it.
Andy
March 15th, 2012
1:28 pm
Marietta is ghetto enough for a Falcon’s stadium.
Andy
March 15th, 2012
1:30 pm
Just think what kind of schools could be built in the City of ATL with 100’s of millions of dollars?
One would think a black mayor would want to elevate the eduction of black children because they obviously aren’t know to excel in school.
Andy
March 15th, 2012
1:31 pm
education that is….
Kococo Brothar
March 15th, 2012
1:33 pm
We need to get our priorities together and fund the stadium, forget the police, fire and infrastructure of Atlanta!!!!! The GA Dome is old, completed in 1992 its outdated and falling apart. Reed is a puppet and bigot like the rest of the city council.
Gman
March 15th, 2012
1:34 pm
Andy, The only issue with turning the old Ful-Co stadium into a prison is that the real estate was just too valuable. Building a stadium in the middle of a confluence of expressways, well, the atmosphere is just magic. Who among us doesn’t spend hours before and after a Braves game enjoying the ambiance of the neighborhood?
td
March 15th, 2012
1:34 pm
This whole blog just proves that you libs are never happy. You raise h3ll everyday about the government not spending enough money and then you come on here today and say we should not spend money. At least Mayor Reed is smart enough to know that a new stadium will bring in more money to Atlanta businesses, will create jobs and the money is not just going down a rat hole with no benefit to the public.
Mark
March 15th, 2012
1:37 pm
td does every comment you make have to began with “you libs?” I mean really are you that clueless to think that every one commenting is a democratic supporter? Grow up!
td
March 15th, 2012
1:43 pm
Mark
March 15th, 2012
1:37 pm
I know that 90% of the people that post on this blog are Liberal/progressive/socialist and yes 90% vote for Democrats. If read the posts on this blog 2 years ago then you would have thought Barnes was going to be the next governor of this state in a landslide. If you read Jim’s article yesterday then you would think Obama was going to win Georgia in a landslide.
Now tell me again how I am misreading the political leanings of the posters on this blog?
Redstateneck
March 15th, 2012
1:43 pm
How about “T-splost T-birds” Lilburn Turkey Buzzards?
yuzeyurbrane
March 15th, 2012
1:44 pm
td, I hope you realize you are the only 1 supporting welfare for Blank. A true indicator of where your privileged views lie? Yeah, 1%!! And you are wrong on your facts, too, in this instance. Finally, ever heard of priorities? Like education, etc.? Not a problem for you? Guess you can afford private schools for your kids.
LakeDwg
March 15th, 2012
1:45 pm
I don’t want to pay for Blank’s new stadium. Let him pay for it. Why does everyone bitch about welfare and then gladly give away millons to millionaires?
Gman
March 15th, 2012
1:46 pm
The Super Bowl for a new stadium is laughable. Atlanta business get approximately $100 for every million extorted from taxpayers. If that is the only legitimate reason to build a new albatross, then there is no real reason to build one. Why not take a more honest approach and ask taxpayers to fund downtown hotels and restaurants for a week? just think how well that would be received.
Atlanta is a great place to live, but I wouldn’t want to visit. A great point made earlier mentioned the ancient Superdome as attracting plenty of Superbowls. The superbowl crowd loves going there; not so much with Atlanta. How many Superbowls has the ancient Rose Bowl hosted?
Sid
March 15th, 2012
1:51 pm
Yep, that Georgia Dome is about to just fall down………..hell, probably hurt somebody. Time to break ground.
We have to build a new stadium to get another Super Bowl?? Screw the NFL.
ROB
March 15th, 2012
1:52 pm
If a new stadium is built in Gwinnett, as opposed to Atlanta, I’ll never go to another Falcons game as long as I live.
Snatchandgrab
March 15th, 2012
1:53 pm
That’s Bull! Atlanta can’t get a Super Bowl because the city no longer has the Buckead Club district. There’s no central place for the tourists to party. New Orleans stays in the regular rotation for Super Bowls and they have the oldest stadium in the league. Now they may reward the city with a Super Bowl if the city builds a new stadium, but we don’t need a new stadium especially if it’s funded by the taxpayers.
joe in tucker
March 15th, 2012
1:54 pm
No new stadium at the taxpayers expense!! If Arthur wants one, let him raise private money and build it himself!!! The little taxpayer dollars available need to go to real improvements in the city and it’s infrastructure!!
Question Man
March 15th, 2012
1:54 pm
Is the economic argument that getting a Super Bowl justifies spending $800 million in tax dollars? Why not just pay off Arthur Blank with $100 million and skip the new stadium? Won’t the politicians then then have $700 million to play with?
Neil
March 15th, 2012
1:55 pm
So a perfectly good dome that is barely 20 years old is now inadequate and insufficient to host a Superbowl, which it did just 11 years ago. Are we now in the habit of asking the taxpayers to build throw away stadiums that have a 20 year shelf life before they are unacceptable? If the Falcons or the NFL want to spend their own money to build a new stadium, then I have no problem with it, but there shouldn’t be a single penny of taxpayer money spent on this boondoggle. They’ll just have to suffer with a state of the art 20 year old dome.
Diehard
March 15th, 2012
1:55 pm
So one Super Bowl makes it ok to put the taxpayers on the hook for a 30 year bad deal? I’m sorry, Mr. Mayor. You’re a great Mayor but on this one, you’re wrong.
td
March 15th, 2012
1:56 pm
yuzeyurbrane
March 15th, 2012
1:44 pm
How can you call it welfare? Is it not true that the Falcons would be paying rent on the stadium and that rent money should go to pay off the bonds that built it? Welfare is giving something to someone without an expectation of that person of paying back the money. Building a stadium is not building a road or a bridge, there are rents that come in, fees paid for concerts and other events and money being spent in the community at restaurants and hotels. Visitors going to other places like the Aquarium, world of coke and the MLK center when they are in town for the SEC Championship game or intown with a visitor’s team.
Halftrack
March 15th, 2012
1:56 pm
We don’t need a new stadium, especially if it is put near downtown. If one is built it needs to be outside the Metro ring so that it has plenty of parking spaces and easy access. Marta can do a spur rail to it. There is too much congestion downtown now. Final note: Taxes would increase.
TBone
March 15th, 2012
2:01 pm
How did Nathan Deal get elected governor? He was soon to be indicted congressman that split before it got too hot. If a new stadium is built NO public monies should be used. Have Gov Deal pay for it.
Neil
March 15th, 2012
2:01 pm
@TD…those same economic benefits accrue with the existing Dome. You don’t need a new stadium.
Drew
March 15th, 2012
2:03 pm
The Super Bowl is a bad carrot hung out there by the NFL to keep building bigger sports palaces fore them. Every new stadium gets ONE SB and then it’s back to Miami, NO or Tampa. They’re even demanding Miami put a roof over the field so precious spectators don’t get wet. It’s a scam, and I’m done with it. Billionaires can build their own @#$% palaces.
tell it like it is
March 15th, 2012
2:05 pm
A new stadium–Who is going to play there? the Falcons bwahahahahahahahahahaha.
Sid
March 15th, 2012
2:07 pm
Let’s see, the taxpayers foot the bill for the new stadium, then the big game comes here and the city reaps the benefits of all the tax revenue collected. The city makes money, the owner makes money, and the citizens get to pay for it all. Is this a great country or what?
WOW
March 15th, 2012
2:09 pm
No stadium money until we get some free agents…
Drew
March 15th, 2012
2:09 pm
BTW, one of the sited reasons we ‘needed’ the Dome was because the Omni was too small for modern political conventions… and exactly HOW MANY political conventions has it hosted?
(Pssst…. zero.)
Diggity
March 15th, 2012
2:20 pm
Who cares about a new stadium when the team is doing nothing in free agency but resigning its lower tier players, letting the better ones go and signing no one from the free agent market…except a couple of players off the street
Bill
March 15th, 2012
2:21 pm
If we are own the stadium, we should also own the team. I don’t mean local government, I mean local citizens like Green Bay.