Atlanta to build new Billion dollar stadium

[DawgFanFromAlabam]

Originally Posted by atlantagator86

Let me jump back to the point I made in the last post. Arthur Blank is not like most NFL or other sport team owners. He's nothing like Jerry Jones or Mark Cuban.

My first job out of college was doing advertising for the Home Depot corporate offices. And 1 thing I can said with no reservation is that both Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank are 2 of the most decent business owners I've ever known of.

These guys are not egotistical maniacs like most business owners. Their offices were not much nicer than any of their executives, which were not fancy either. They drove themselves to work. They rode the elevators and talked to everybody. They worked out every day in the employee fitness center with the guys working in the mail room. They are down to earth guys.

When they moved out of the day-to-day management of the company, they took a lot of money with them and they both immediately started putting that money back into the city of Atlanta.

Bernie Marcus GAVE $250 million to help build the Georgia Aquarium. And he's a volunteer and Board Member for the Shepherd Center. Blank has been a GREAT owner for the Falcons and considered buying the Braves and was even involved in possibly keeping the Thrasher in town, except the Thrasher owners made keeping the team here unreasonable. Now he wants to bring an MLS team here.

But these guys are stupid. They aren't throwing money away. They are making investment in the city of Atlanta.

The point here being that Blank isn't doing this just to make a quick buck or screw over the city of Atlanta. He's doing this because he feels it's a smart investment and the city of Atlanta apparently agrees with him. He hasn't made a bad business decision yet that I'm aware of.

Thanks to you and Tilly for injecting facts and insightful commentary to this thread.

Why people want hate on this is beyond me. Is it because it's happening in Georgia?

The citizens pay nothing. Atlanta gets a state of the art venue. This is a good thing - unless you're just wanting to hate on Atlanta or a wealthy man.

[tilly]

...side note ...I hope the Rays and St. Pete are paying attention.

[atlantagator86]

Originally Posted by DawgFanFromAlabam

Thanks to you and Tilly for injecting facts and insightful commentary to this thread.

Why people want hate on this is beyond me. Is it because it's happening in Georgia?

The citizens pay nothing. Atlanta gets a state of the art venue. This is a good thing - unless you're just wanting to hate on Atlanta or a wealthy man.

I think because people don't understand what's behind it, not because it's in Georgia. People are so used to owners being total tool bags and wanting the cities to pay for their stadiums and holding cities hostage.

What people see is simply that Atlanta is replacing a perfectly good stadium that's not even 20 years old - and on the surface, it just doesn't make sense. It really didn't make sense to me when I first heard it either. I didn't understand why they didn't just retrofit the existing dome with some sort of retractable roof.

But if Arthur Blank feels strongly enough that he's willing to pay 80% of it, plus any cost over runs, I don't know what people have to complain about.

I think once people understand the whole story, it's kind of hard to complain about it.

Also, just to be clear, this is not a done deal. There are still obstacles, including securing at least part the land from a church and working out a deal with the Georgia World Congress Center.

[theologator]

Originally Posted by tec68

Blank is paying $800 million, which is 80%.

Not many owners would do that.

It's a DIY project. He's going to take a class at Home Depot and lay the tile in the bathrooms himself. He's handy that way.

[Dreamliner]

It's all about keeping up with the Joneses. Yes, the Georgia Dome is perfectly adequate, but looks dog-eared next to some of the newer stadiums.

FYI: the Carolina Panthers' Bank of America Stadium is newer than the Georgia Dome, but the owners are attempting to milk the city and state for something close to $300-million in renovations. There was even serious talk of increasing the restaurant tax. This was summarily shot down.

[Brodeur]

Originally Posted by DawgFanFromAlabam

Why people want hate on this is beyond me. Is it because it's happening in Georgia?

The citizens pay nothing. Atlanta gets a state of the art venue. This is a good thing - unless you're just wanting to hate on Atlanta or a wealthy man.

I think the issue is cities have been screwed before on deals that seemed good at the time, we're conditioned to be skeptical. Look at a place like Seattle, they eventually passed a law making it illegal for the city to finance a stadium unless they profit off it.

So lets assume Atlanta is only on the hook for 200 million, not a penny more, then I'd still ask:

Are they expected to recoup that money via taxes on sales at the stadium?

And why should unrelated tourists and (mostly) business travelers pay to help construct this thing, since that's where the 200 million is expected to come from?

[danky1313]

A couple of points for the detractors in the thread.

1. Yes the Dome right now is 20 years old. However when the new stadium is completed and ready for use the Dome will be 27. Look back at the lifetime of all other Dome's most were in late 20's when replaced or are in early 30's and are being replaced or there are talks to do so soon. So even if you think Dome is in fine shape and not in need of replacing it's actually right in line, or not that far off, within normal timeline of being outdated. Especially with the technological and other improvements of last 20+ years.

2. This subject has been discussed for 4-5 years here maybe more. One of the initial ideas was that Blank wanted to build a stadium away from downtown possibly at where the old (I think it was Ford) plant is a few miles from Spaghetti junction which is 6-8 miles north of the city. I'm pretty sure Blank was going to put up a larger chunk if not all than what he is now for that location. The idea upset a lot of the downtown folks because they said it would hurt them financially taking all that business away from the businesses that are in that area and make their "nut" from the 8 falcons homegames + SECC and Chick-fil-A bowl. Funny thing is that a lot of those same people from that area complaining then about a new stadium being built several miles away are same ones who are now complaining about a new stadium being built a block from where the Dome is now.

3. I don't see anyway this will hurt Atlanta or taxpayers. The business alone from Falcons games, a Super Bowl, additional new events and being a major part of the new college football playoffs will greatly payoff any negatives. To be apart of that and get those games and events the FACT is you have to have a facility that allows you to compete for it. Regardless of how adequate the Ga Dome may be now it's not what is needed to get all those events.

[atlantagator86]

Originally Posted by danky1313

A couple of points for the detractors in the thread.

1. Yes the Dome right now is 20 years old. However when the new stadium is completed and ready for use the Dome will be 27.

2. This subject has been discussed for 4-5 years here maybe more. One of the initial ideas was that Blank wanted to build a stadium away from downtown possibly at where the old (I think it was Ford) plant is a few miles from Spaghetti junction which is 6-8 miles north of the city.

A couple of minor points. Not to detract from your points, but just to clarify.

The Dome was opened in 1992 I believe and the new stadium is planned to be open in 2017, so the Georgia Dome will be 25 years old I believe.

The old Ford plant was down by the Airport on the South side of Atlanta. I think you mean the old GM plant in Doraville. There has been a push for years to move the sport team venues closer to I-285 and GA-400, which is currently the population center of Atlanta.

[Jaggator]

Public vs Private Funds Allocation

What is wrong with this picture? This is why many posters have doubts. If this is any indication, no wonder the Falcons want to hurry this up before the public learns how badly they are getting abused. Wow!

See sources of funding from this link...

http://agraynation.com/2013/02/24/20130221.aspx

[danky1313]

Originally Posted by atlantagator86

A couple of minor points. Not to detract from your points, but just to clarify.

The Dome was opened in 1992 I believe and the new stadium is planned to be open in 2017, so the Georgia Dome will be 25 years old I believe.

The old Ford plant was down by the Airport on the South side of Atlanta. I think you mean the old GM plant in Doraville. There has been a push for years to move the sport team venues closer to I-285 and GA-400, which is currently the population center of Atlanta.

I heard Rich McKay in an interview last week say the Dome would be 27 when new one is ready. Not sure on date they have planned but that is where that came from.

You're right, I forgot which was where. I've lived in Cumming and now Johns Creek for so long I hardly make it down near either place. It's little things like that I can't remember specifics on that makes me feel like I'm getting old quick

[ATLitigator]

the NFL has told the falcons..get a new stadium or no superbowl...period

Arhtur Blank is putting up 800 million plus ALL of the cost overruns..

his charity is contributing up to 65 million to better the communities around the new stadium,

the hotel tax from which the city money is coming is not not designated for anything else. in fact I think it was set to expire...

the city is going to reap way more than the 200 million it has committed during the life of the new stadium...

and obviously no one on this post has considered this...what becomes of Atlant is the SECCG goes to jerryworld...?

this is a mutually beneficial deal to both Blank and Atlanta, and Blank carries the risk

[danky1313]

Originally Posted by Jaggator

Public vs Private Funds Allocation

What is wrong with this picture? This is why many posters have doubts. If this is any indication, no wonder the Falcons want to hurry this up before the public learns how badly they are getting abused. Wow!

See sources of funding from this link...

http://agraynation.com/2013/02/24/20130221.aspx

So elected city officials are too dumb to see something in a deal they're privy to negotiating that would be recognized by a constituency that would have a significant gripe that they're being taken? What's the benefit for those officials to play apart of rushing a deal to prevent voters, the public, from seeing it's details till after it's signed. Surely they'd have to be complicit if they are aware of it's supposed one-sidedness??

This is not something that came to the table last week. Blank, the city, the wgc etc. have been talking about a new stadium for several years and citizens of Atlanta have been well aware of that.

Those locally who have been making a stink about the deal would find any reason to debate it because it gives them a forum to hear themselves talk and matter.

Most here who have questioned it have shown in their comments that they haven't followed what this process has been over the past years it's been discussed, have made blind assumptions of negativity without any real specifics of why building a new stadium will be a bad thing to support those assumptions or think because the few times over the years that they've been to the Dome it seemed functional and it is just fine without considering the logic and reasoning for a new one.

[theologator]

Originally Posted by danky1313

So elected city officials are too dumb to see something in a deal they're privy to negotiating that would be recognized by a constituency that would have a significant gripe that they're being taken?

Oh you would really enjoy Ocala. Your points aside, this cracked me up.

City officials aren't dumb, necessarily, but they are continually pressured by various groups and businesses and, yes, might very well approve a really obviously bad idea.

[atlantagator86]

Originally Posted by danky1313

You're right, I forgot which was where. I've lived in Cumming and now Johns Creek for so long I hardly make it down near either place. It's little things like that I can't remember specifics on that makes me feel like I'm getting old quick

We must live close. I'm in South Forsyth Country. I rarely get into Atlanta any more either.

[atlantagator86]

Originally Posted by Brodeur

And why should unrelated tourists and (mostly) business travelers pay to help construct this thing, since that's where the 200 million is expected to come from?

Do you understand nothing about politics?!?!?!

This is a simple answer. The easy way for any government to avoid public resistance is to tell the public somebody else is going to pay for it. Who's going to oppose something that won't cost them anything?

It's really no different than Obama telling his constituency that their taxes wouldn't be raised because he would only raise the taxes on the wealthy.

It's the same as Florida jacking up the hotel/motel taxes and gas taxes, which put the burden on out-of-state tourists, so that Florida residents don't have to pay state income tax. Raising the hotel tax is the EXACT same way Orlando is paying for the Amway Center and how most stadiums and arenas are financed - at least in cities that have a lot of travelers and have the ability to do it.

People don't realize how many hotel rooms there are in Atlanta. There's not as much tourism travel but a lot of business travel. The number of hotel rooms in Atlanta is about 91,000. By comparison, Las Vegas has about 137,000, Orlando has about 112,000, NYC has about 73,000, New Orleans has 34,000. That's why raising the hotel tax to pay for metro projects is so effective in markets like Orlando, Las Vegas and Atlanta.

[danky1313]

Originally Posted by atlantagator86

We must live close. I'm in South Forsyth Country. I rarely get into Atlanta any more either.

We did. I recently sold my house off exit 14 behind Market Place Blvd. and moved to Johns Creek off Medlock Bridge and Abbots Bridge. Probably still pretty close though

[atlantagator86]

For anyone who cares about this, the Georgia World Congress Center has signed off and yesterday, the Atlanta City Council approved funding it's $200 million portion with the hotel/motel tax. That was the big hurdle remaining. Looks like Atlanta will in fact be getting the new stadium.

[AlfaGator]

I lived in Atlanta for 25 years. I can tell you one of the reasons, not the only reason, for this new stadium.

Doing new deals and contracts is the way Atlanta City Government, connected STATE GOVERNMENT and complicit contractors STEAL money tax payers.

It is the old "one hand washes the other." Without doing deals they cannot steal as easy. So many ways to hide money in these large projects.

[RayGator]

Originally Posted by atlantagator86

For anyone who cares about this, the Georgia World Congress Center has signed off and yesterday, the Atlanta City Council approved funding it's $200 million portion with the hotel/motel tax. That was the big hurdle remaining. Looks like Atlanta will in fact be getting the new stadium.

Well, good luck to the taxpayers in Atlanta and Georgia.

Again, they have a good stadium now. Still not paid off. And again let the NFL Falcons go and build their own stadium somewhere. Everyone would be happy, right? There would be two nice stadiums in the area. One for the NFL and one for the people.

[atlantagator86]

Originally Posted by RayGator

Again, they have a good stadium now.

I don't think anyone is arguing that point. If the Atlanta taxpayers were paying for the new stadium, they would be up in arms right now, but they aren't.

Originally Posted by RayGator

Still not paid off.

The Georgia Dome will be paid off by 2018 at the latest. That's only a year after the new stadium is built. My guess is that it will be paid off before then.

Originally Posted by RayGator

And again let the NFL Falcons go and build their own stadium somewhere. Everyone would be happy, right?

That's pretty much exactly what's happening, isn't it?