In Appeal for South Stadium Location, Mayor Reed Reminds Falcons Public Funds Not Yet Finalized

August 7th, 2013

With the new Atlanta Falcons stadium in the balance, one of the two historic churches located on the city’s preferred site agreed to sell Tuesday.

Mayor Kasim Reed, who negotiated the deal, says he’ll now focus on a final deal with the other church.

First though, Reed made it clear he wasn’t happy with the Falcons.

“I think I’ve done enough in this process that they try harder because that’s what folks asked me to do,” said Reed during a press conference earlier this week.

The Falcons set an August 1 deadline to secure all necessary property on the city’s preferred site, south of the Georgia Dome.

A few days before the deadline, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church rejected a $6.2 million final offer from state officials, who were negotiating on behalf of the Falcons. Subsequently, the team and state officials agreed to officially shift focus to a site north of the Dome.

Reed, who was not part of the Mt. Vernon negotiations, said it’s time for the Falcons and state officials to re-start negotiations.

“For us to impose an artificial deadline when a significant part of this transaction has been closed – the hardest part – I think doesn’t make sense,” said Reed.

The Falcons are expecting roughly $200 million in public funds to build the stadium. Reed reminded the Falcons that money can’t be released until he and the city council approve a community benefits plan.

“That process is not going to be easy so while I work on getting a community benefits plan done, I encourage my partners to work on continuing conversations with Mt. Vernon.”

He stressed his importance in ultimately getting the stadium built.

“This me needing the Falcons. You ought to reverse that. It’s mutual. I believe in mutual respect.”

Councilman H. Lamar Willis, who also prefers the south site, was glad the mayor communicated the city’s stance.

“Is there the ability to stop the $200 million insertion of funds, the answer is yes. Is that an appropriate tool to use if they decide to go to the north site? I think that’s a decision the mayor would make in conjunction with the council but I think he made it very clear it’s not off the table.”

In a written statement, the Falcons commended the mayor for his work so far, but said in terms of the south site “significant issues and requirements remain unresolved.”