New Falcons Stadium Approved by City Council (Atlanta, Mount Vernon: stations, rating)

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by arjay57

So the state of Georgia and the Falcons are putting up all the money to purchase these properties?

Hopefully so, as the city of Atlanta doesn't need to spending one dime on that sort of thing. Whatever money the city has should be spent on fixing potholes, parks and playgrounds, traffic improvements, hiring police officers and other things that directly benefit the taxpaying residents. It's probably inconceivable to city government but if there's every any excess money after taking care of those priorities, it should be immediately refunded to the taxpayers.

Correct. The only stake holders that are paying anything towards the stadium are the GWCC, Falcons, and Invest Atlanta.

[cqholt]

So the state of Georgia and the Falcons are putting up all the money to purchase these properties?

Hopefully so, as the city of Atlanta doesn't need to spending one dime on that sort of thing. Whatever money the city has should be spent on fixing potholes, parks and playgrounds, traffic improvements, hiring police officers and other things that directly benefit the taxpaying residents. It's probably inconceivable to city government but if there's every any excess money after taking care of those priorities, it should be immediately refunded to the taxpayers

The City of Atlanta is getting a deal compared to Arlington or Minneapolis.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Correct. The only stake holders that are paying anything towards the stadium are the GWCC, Falcons, and Invest Atlanta.

Invest Atlanta is the city of Atlanta.

Invest Atlanta is the official economic development authority for the City of Atlanta. Its purpose is to strengthen Atlanta’s economy and global competitiveness in order to create increased opportunity and prosperity for the people of Atlanta. Invest Atlanta is governed by a 9 member board of directors, chaired by the Mayor of Atlanta.

http://www.atlantada.com:8080/aboutADA/index.jsp

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Invest Atlanta is the city of Atlanta.

This is mostly true. But they are not providing any direct funding for the stadium, just backing the project.

[Zanarkand A East]

Originally Posted by jsvh

This is mostly true. But they are not providing any direct funding for the stadium, just backing the project.

Invest Atlanta is providing $15M for the neighborhood development, without which the stadium doesn't get approved.

[Zanarkand A East]

Originally Posted by cqholt

The City of Atlanta is getting a deal compared to Arlington or Minneapolis.

I just spent 10 minutes explaining this to a coworker, who 1) has never been to a Falcons game, and 2) has never ridden MARTA. Gosh, I wonder if his opinion about city affairs amounts to much

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by Zanarkand A East

I just spent 10 minutes explaining this to a coworker, who 1) has never been to a Falcons game, and 2) has never ridden MARTA. Gosh, I wonder if his opinion about city affairs amounts to much

He needs to be slapped.

[Zanarkand A East]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Correct. The only stake holders that are paying anything towards the stadium are the GWCC, Falcons, and Invest Atlanta.

Don't forget the season ticket holders via the PSL, and whoever the stadium name sponsor ends up being. Otherwise, I agree.

[Zanarkand A East]

Originally Posted by cqholt

He needs to be slapped.

When he mentioned why 70% of the city opposed the stadium, I reminded him that 1) people on AJC.com can post from anywhere on Earth (and that's hardly a scientific survey of what Atlantans want), and 2) Common Cause Georgia couldn't get 30,000 signatures for their petition to put the stadium up for public vote. People that don't understand how cities work are amusing

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cqholt

He needs to be slapped.

I don't have any problem with the Falcons building a new stadium if that's what they want.

But the city of Atlanta can't even fund playgrounds or sidewalks or repave the streets, despite having some of the highest taxes in the region. It needs to be focused like a laser on taking care of its citizens basic needs.

Let the NFL and its cadre of billionaire owners take care of...well, the NFL and its cadre of billionaire owners.