Atlanta Falcons Rule Out South Site for New Stadium

The decision comes as an August 1 deadline to buy out two historic churches on the south site approaches.

Frank Poe is executive director of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, the state organization that leases the Georgia Dome to the Falcons. He says team officials have concluded the south site is not a viable option any longer because the two churches have refused to sell.

“Yeah, it’s disappointing that you’re not seeing that come out as an ultimate solution but it’s the reality of the process,” said Poe.

In addition, he says the team has had limited access to the site to perform necessary feasibility studies.

“Up until last week they’ve not gained access so they’ve not completed any of their analysis. They’ve not been able to complete their environmental assessments.”

Officials with Friendship Baptist Church and Mt. Vernon Baptist Church  have not responded to requests for comment, but according to the Saporta Report, church members deny they’ve limited access to the site or negotiated in bad faith.

Mike Koblentz, chair of the Northwest Community Alliance, opposes moving the new stadium to the north site. He said it lacks easy access to MARTA and would wall off an entire section of the city.

“It shows a real obstinance on the part of Arthur Blank. This tactic is also very dismissive of all the neighborhoods that absolutely, overwhelmingly prefer the south site.”

In any case, the GWCCA board is moving forward with north site feasibility assessments that must be done by October 1 in order for the site to receive final approval.

Poe says community opposition related to the north site doesn’t come as a surprise.

“I’m sure now with the focus shifting solely to the north it will continue to be a concern in that the Falcons will have to take that into consideration on the feasibility assessment,” said Poe.

Regardless of the location, the Falcons want to start construction next summer and have the stadium completed by the 2017 football season.

The Atlanta Falcons have issued a statement on their web site.  It says:

Pursuant to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) and the Atlanta Falcons Stadium Company (StadCo), StadCo today notified the GWCCA that it has determined that development and construction of the New Stadium Project on the south site is not feasible at this time for a number of reasons, including that the Mount Vernon Baptist Church and the Friendship Baptist Church properties and other necessary parcels have not been acquired, and that StadCo has been unable to complete environmental and other required testings on these properties.  StadCo would have been required to proceed with the south site if this notice had not been given prior to the August 1 deadline established in the MOU.
 
In a statement issued on July 24, Falcons Owner & Chairman Arthur Blank indicated that due to the desire to keep the stadium design process on track for an NFL 2017 season opening, the Falcons determined it was prudent to also begin the feasibility and inspection process on the north site option.  With approval granted by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority Board of Governors today, this work will proceed.
 
The Falcons will have no other comment at this time.