Atlanta Falcons executives are warning city officials that the football team will look to move out of downtown if a deal for a new stadium is not struck.
Residents packed a hearing at Atlanta City Hall on Wednesday to discuss the proposed billion-dollar stadium.
Speaking for team owner Arthur Blank, Falcons President Rick McKay said that the club intends to play in a new stadium in 2017. McKay said that the team is offering the city a good deal by picking up the majority of the cost.
"We would have no choice but to consider pursuing another option elsewhere in metro Atlanta. That would be our option. We don't -- please let don't anybody say, ‘Oh, that's a threat, oh, that's not right.' That's just the reality of what we have to do as our lease is going to end," McKay said.
McCay later told reporters that if the deal isn't set "then clearly we will look in the metropolitan area and see where an opportunity may exist."
He said that the Falcons have not yet looked at any specific sites yet in the metro area. He said that commitment is to the downtown site for now.
McKay said that the team is offering the city a good deal by picking up the majority of the cost.
The possible deal would require $200 million in public funds, while the Falcons would put in $800 million plus at least another $50 million to retire leftover debt on the Georgia Dome, which would be torn down.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed's administration, which backs the deal, lined up a host of civic proponents who, for more than two hours, explained why the new stadium would be a good choice.
"There has been lots of discussion about use of public funds. The only taxes that have ever been discussed to fund a new stadium or this transaction have been hotel-motel taxes, which are charged to visitors," Atlanta Chief Operation Officer Duriya Farooqui said.
Many of those in attendance at the public hearing called for more inclusion so nearby communities like Vine City, Castleberry Hill and others will see more money and jobs as a result.
"So we would like to be included in this process, have the opportunity to bring our team to the table," said Atlanta resident Rodney Mullin.
Other said that the stadium affects their quality of living.
"That stadium will mean that our doors will rattle, our foundations may be moved, construction may shut our roads. We will continue to face the tailgating and non-compliance issues that we face today on gypsy lots," said Robin Gagnon, a downtown resident.
City Hall says they're going to have a number of public forums again, but those dates have not been determined yet.
The Atlanta Falcons, state and city officials have agreed on a deal to ensure that at least 31 percent of construction awards for the team's new stadium are awarded to minority or women-owned firms.
The Atlanta Falcons, state and city officials have agreed on a deal to ensure that at least 31 percent of construction awards for the team's new stadium are awarded to minority or women-owned firms.
Ball in the rough. Swing. Grimace. Shake left arm. Repeat.
Phil Mickelson made his first birdie on his last putt. Billy Horschel never missed a green. It was all they could do to barely break par against Merion, which is turning out to be the real star of this U.S. Open.
Chris Johnson homered for the first time in more than a month, Kris Medlen overcame a defensive blunder and the Atlanta Braves bounced back from a doubleheader sweep, beating the New York Mets 5-3 Wednesday night.
Chris Johnson homered for the first time in more than a month, Kris Medlen overcame a defensive blunder and the Atlanta Braves bounced back from a doubleheader sweep, beating the New York Mets 5-3 Wednesday night.
Matt Harvey pitched six hitless innings, John Buck homered and the New York Mets held off another Atlanta comeback, beating the Braves 4-3 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
Zack Wheeler lived up the hype in his major league debut, pitching six scoreless innings to lead the New York Mets to a 6-1 victory over the first-place Atlanta Braves and a doubleheader sweep on Tuesday.
Matt Harvey pitched six hitless innings, John Buck homered and the New York Mets held off another Atlanta comeback, beating the Braves 4-3 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
Matt Harvey pitched six hitless innings, John Buck homered and the New York Mets held off another Atlanta comeback, beating the Braves 4-3 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
Thursday, June 20 2013 6:10 AM EDT2013-06-20 10:10:08 GMT
The driver of the vehicle that left several people injured and a trail of destruction in the area of 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village has been arrested.
The driver of the vehicle that left several people injured and a trail of destruction in the area of 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village has been arrested.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:55 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:55:03 GMT
The actor James Gandolfini, best known for his award-winning portrayal of New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano in the HBO series "The Sopranos," has died in Italy. He was 51.
The actor James Gandolfini, best known for his award-winning portrayal of New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano in the HBO series "The Sopranos," has died in Italy. He was 51.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:53 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:53:25 GMT
Joe Torre's daughter caught a 1-year-old boy who fell from a fire escape outside a second-floor apartment in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn Wednesday morning.
Joe Torre's daughter caught a 1-year-old boy who fell from a fire escape outside a second-floor apartment in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn Wednesday morning.
New York state and Eastman Kodak Co. have reached a deal that will keep some of the troubled company's operations in Rochester and provide $49 million for environmental cleanup at the once bustling Eastman...
New York state and Eastman Kodak Co. have reached a deal that will keep some of the troubled company's operations in Rochester and provide $49 million for environmental cleanup at the once bustling Eastman Business Park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:51:22 GMT
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo.
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo. He is accused of driving without a license, then fleeing police, jumping a curb, and hitting Ariel and her grandmother as they were walking to school.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:15 GMT
More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:30 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:30:42 GMT
The FBI has found possible human remains in a dig at the New York City house once occupied by a famous gangster. An FBI spokesman confirmed Wednesday that agents found material that they want to test as part of an investigation.
The FBI has found possible human remains in a dig at the New York City house once occupied by a famous gangster. An FBI spokesman confirmed Wednesday that agents found material that they want to test as part of an investigation.
