Atlanta to replace the Georgia Dome

[pioneer98]

New Falcons Football Stadium Plans Approved by Atlanta Authority

The financial framework for a $1 billion, retractable-roof stadium for the Atlanta Falcons was approved by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority.

The agency’s board approved a 24-page, non-binding term sheet for the stadium, which the National Football League team and authority have estimated would open for the 2017 season. The terms will serve as the basis for a future binding agreement between the two sides.

The stadium would be owned by the authority, a state agency, and operated by the Falcons under a 30-year agreement, under the approved plan. The team would have an option to renew the lease for an additional 15 years, the authority said in a press release.

Construction and the demolition of the existing Georgia Dome would be partially paid for with about $300 million generated by an existing hotel-motel tax in Atlanta and Fulton County. Additional funding would be the responsibility of the Falcons and owner Arthur Blank, who has said he plans to sell personal seat licenses to cover a portion of the costs.

The team will pay about $2.5 million in annual rent to the authority, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. The Authority said the rent hadn’t yet been determined.

The team and authority will now hire a lead architectural and design firms for the stadium, the authority said.

Blank, co-founder of Home Depot Inc. (HD), bought the Falcons for $545 million in February 2002 and has said the team needs a new stadium to attract big events, such as the NFL’s Super Bowl. The 20-year-old Georgia Dome hosts the Southeastern Conference college football championship game each year and will be the site of the 2013 college basketball Final Four tournament.

[JoeMcKim]

I don't understand why you would demolish the current dome and create a new dome when the current dome is only 20 years old. You need to plan out these new stadiums better so they don't become obsolete so quickly.

[pioneer98]

Agree 100%. It will be 25 years old by 2017, but still.

If you are spending $1 billion on a stadium, you should be able to build one that lasts a bit longer.

[jim]

Speaking of disposable stadiums, when is the dome in St. Louis coming down? I went to a game there last year and granted I was so hung over I could hardly keep my eyes open, but that was the weirdest (in a bad way) sports experience I have ever had. The lighting, the weird sound in the dome etc..

[TheoSqua]

Speaking of disposable stadiums, when is the dome in St. Louis coming down? I went to a game there last year and granted I was so hung over I could hardly keep my eyes open, but that was the weirdest (in a bad way) sports experience I have ever had. The lighting, the weird sound in the dome etc..

The Dome in St. Louis sucked the first season they were in that building. It was a terrible design from the start. The only reason I never go to Rams games is because the dome sucks.

[jim]

Speaking of disposable stadiums, when is the dome in St. Louis coming down? I went to a game there last year and granted I was so hung over I could hardly keep my eyes open, but that was the weirdest (in a bad way) sports experience I have ever had. The lighting, the weird sound in the dome etc..

The Dome in St. Louis sucked the first season they were in that building. It was a terrible design from the start. The only reason I never go to Rams games is because the dome sucks.

So it wasn't just the hangover? Seriously it felt like I was in some dreamlike state the entire 3 hours. I walked out and got natural light and snapped back into reality.

[Socnorb11]

In my opinion, Lucas Oil in Indianapolis should be the blueprint for domed stadiums. I love that place.

[The Third Man]

The Edward Jones Dome is just awful, yes. Dark, boring slabs of concrete everywhere...it's like being in an empty hangar or something. It has always sucked.

[Radbird]

A new stadium for the St. Louis Rams?

Choices are: Dome renovation or new stadium in either the Bottle District north of EJD, the old Chrysler plant in Fenton, or off of Hwy 141 in Maryland Heights.

[Freed Roger]

Speaking of disposable stadiums, when is the dome in St. Louis coming down? I went to a game there last year and granted I was so hung over I could hardly keep my eyes open, but that was the weirdest (in a bad way) sports experience I have ever had. The lighting, the weird sound in the dome etc..

The Dome in St. Louis sucked the first season they were in that building. It was a terrible design from the start. The only reason I never go to Rams games is because the dome sucks.

So it wasn't just the hangover? Seriously it felt like I was in some dreamlike state the entire 3 hours. I walked out and got natural light and snapped back into reality.

jim's description hits it right on.

It's like a masoleum.

By the way, one of the potential sites for a new stadium (no idea where the money will come from, but that's another issue) is owned by taxpayer- subsidized Paul McKee. Potential for history to repeat itself - Stl institutions have had history of giving things away (or at bargain price) then deciding to buy it back at a large cost to the taxpayers.