ATLANTA - New Falcons Stadium (65,000)

[Dale]

I don't intend to inject myself into the civics debate here, but IMO the Dome is unimpressive architecturally and looks dated, both inside and out.

Again, I'm not saying demolish it. I'm just saying I don't get the Georgia Dome pride.

[Topher51]

Originally Posted by Dale

I don't intend to inject myself into the civics debate here, but IMO the Dome is unimpressive architecturally and looks dated, both inside and out.

Again, I'm not saying demolish it. I'm just saying I don't get the Georgia Dome pride.

The dome is unimpressive architecturally because it was built at a time where stadiums weren't designed as show pieces. That really didn't start until the mid-2000's with the Cardinal's Stadium (although I personally think Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati is pretty slick and it was built in the late 1990's). Still only a handful of NFL stadiums were designed with a distinctive architecture to them, so the fact the Georgia Dome has a standard look does not bother the majority of people who frequent the stadium. The dome is not nearly as antiquated as Fulton County Stadium was when the Falcons left it.

I have seen a dozen or so games at the dome and was there for the Peach Bowl a few years ago, so I have seen it firsthand since the renovation. Compared to the other NFL and college stadiums I have been to, the renovated dome is still a very good venue. The issue isn't Georgia Dome pride, it's that it is still in the top third of NFL stadiums and it is going to be replaced because it has a low ceiling when it comes to luxury seating and the revenue that comes from that.

Now don't get me wrong, I think it will be awesome to have a world class stadium in Atlanta, but in an era when budgets are tight and everyone is having to do without, it seems ridiculous to have tax money go towards replacing a perfectly good stadium that will seat 6,000 LESS fans.

More luxury seating + less overall seating = less accesable product for the average fan. Ask a Jet fan on their thoughts of replacing a functional stadium with reasonable ticket prices with an architecutral wonder that they can't afford the parking for.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by rantanamo

I don't understand the angst. You are about to see many stadiums we think of as new(because we grew up with them) be replaced. Just as many stadiums were built in the 60s and 70s were replaced in the 90s and 2000s. Similar time frame.

It's really not that old.

Texas Stadium was more than 30 when it was demo'ed.

[RMB2007]

A new Atlanta Falcons stadium should seat 80,000 people “for marquee events such as Super Bowls” but should “feel right-sized” for smaller events, such as Major League Soccer games. It should have fewer suites, more club seats and about 200,000 more square feet of space than the Georgia Dome.

Those are among preliminary specifications outlined in a document issued this week to solicit applications from architects interested in designing the proposed retractable-roof stadium.

The downtown stadium should be “a distinctly iconic landmark for the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia,” according to the request for qualifications (RFQ) issued by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority and the Falcons.

The goal is to hire an architectural firm within about 90 days, said Richard Sawyer, working for the GWCCA as the project’s procurement director. The stadium would be built on the Congress Center campus. The architect will be jointly chosen by the GWCCA and the Falcons.

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/archi...um-plan/nTTTM/

[Jim856796]

Why must the new stadium have fewer suites than the existing Dome?

[RMB2007]

Originally Posted by Jim856796

Why must the new stadium have fewer suites than the existing Dome?

Probably so the owner can massively bump up the prices, but knowing full well there's going to be the demand for 'em.

[Topher51]

http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story...ry_left_column

It looks like one of the first hurdles has been cleared. So long Georgia Dome.

[Lumbergo]

[Darloeye]

Makes alot of sense

.......

[Marckymarc]

So how long until Jerry Jones wants a new stadium?

[JJG]

Originally Posted by Marckymarc

So how long until Jerry Jones wants a new stadium?

Oh no one in North Texas will give that man shit if the 'Boys don't deliver a Lombardi sometime soon....

[JJG]

Originally Posted by Topher51

http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story...ry_left_column

It looks like one of the first hurdles has been cleared. So long Georgia Dome.

These guys couldn't at least wait another 5 years to start on this?

[RMB2007]

Just seen an advert here in UK for this new stadium design, so it'll be interesting to see if the usual suspects like Foster + Partners, Zaha Hadid, KSS, AFL or any other UK architect firms tries to win the design competition for this.

http://www.ukti.gov.uk/export/howweh...em/421500.html

[Jim856796]

The Dolphins Stadium in Miami may be older than the Georgia Dome (it was built in 1987), and that stadium ushered in the era of today's football stadiums; what if plans come up to tear that down?

I think the New Orleans Saints wanted to replace the Louisiana Superdome, and there was consideration of the Superdome being torn down after it was damaged after Hurricane Katrina. But no, the Superdome survived and was renovated/upgraded for just a few hundred million dollars.

I wonder what it will take for the New Falcons Stadium proposal to be dropped? I also wonder what's keeping the Falcons from owning the stadium, even a 50/50 ownership with the State of Georgia or the Convention Center Authority. I just do not want a deceased Georgia Dome, because it will be just be a more unfathomable loss than Yankee Stadium (Do not ask why, because I like the current Yankee Stadium). The Georgia Dome is not worth tearing down for anything. This new stadium proposal is trouble. But does the Georgia Dome have anything left to prove after 20 years? Yes or No?

I would rather replace the roof of the existing Georgia Dome with a retractable roof. Other than that, what kind of improvements would we make now? Changes to its seating bowl? A new exterior facade? A new center-hung-scoreboard?

[RMB2007]

Poll: Most Atlantans oppose new Falcons stadium

Most Falcons fans are aware that the team is trying to get new stadium. But that doesn’t mean they are happy about it.

A new WSB-TV poll shows most Atlantans don’t think the Georgia Dome needs to be replaced and they certainly don’t want to do it with tax payer money.

66 percent of respondents said the Dome is just fine, while 21 percent say it’s time for a new building.

Then comes the topic of the current plan where taxpayer money would fund part of the stadium. The hotel-motel tax would provide $300 million of the $1 billion price tag. Private money would make up the rest.

Still, 60 percent of respondents say they do not approve of that plan. Only 29 percent said it was fine.

90 percent of the people polled say they have heard of the plan, while 80 percent said they were Falcons fans.

The stadium plan is unpopular across the board, Among racial lines, gender and age lines, according to the poll.

“What the Atlanta Falcons, the City of Atlanta, and the Governor has to do is they have to convince people this is a good use of taxpayer money,” pollster John Garst told Channel 2 Action News. “As of now they have not made that case.”

Legislative approval is needed to allow the Georgia World Congress Center to borrow more money to build the stadium. That is expected to be a hot button issue when the legislature returns in January.

http://www.wsbradio.com/news/news/po...stadium/nTZm4/

[Lumbergo]

other than adding a retractable roof (or just an open roof), there really are no improvements to be made to the Georgia dome. it's in a good location, has great sight lines, great concessions, and has suites. if Vancouver can turn their dome into an open air stadium, than so can Atlanta.

as for Miami, if the Dolphins would perform on the field better I think a lot of people would actually be for replacing Joe Robbie Stadium (yes, I as do many others, still call it that). the side line seats are too far from the field and the sight lines are so-so. I would be for it if a renovation would be almost the same price as just building a new stadium AND it were built with private funds just like Joe Robbie was originally.

if the Falcons (see: the greedy owner) really want a new Stadium than HE should pay for it himself.

[Jim856796]

And wind up bankrupting himself in the process.

If the Georgia Dome roof did get replaced with a retractable roof, how should it look like?

[tykendo]

I love new stadium construction for teams in outdated facilities, but Atlanta has a nice dome, as domes go. The lighting is nice compared to the hideous lighting scheme in the Edward Jones Dome(Dingy). It looks nice on TV. Don't see a need there. Atlanta doesn't need to move to LA either. San Diego, with an awful fan base, is primed for that move. Even the early renderings had their color scheme in the endzones. Book that Danno!

[RMB2007]

Any idea what rules and regs are currently in place to keep the Falcons leaving Atlanta? I mean, if Blank doesn't get the new stadium he clearly craves, is there a real possibility of him moving the team out of Atlanta?

[JJG]

Originally Posted by RMB2007

Any idea what rules and regs are currently in place to keep the Falcons leaving Atlanta? I mean, if Blank doesn't get the new stadium he clearly craves, is there a real possibility of him moving the team out of Atlanta?

Oh, no fuckin' way....

I know Atlanta doesn't have a great reputation as a sports town, but the FALCONS?