State board OKs bonds for Falcons parking

COLUMBUS —- The board of the state Department of Economic Development on Thursday approved the issuance bonds to expand parking for the new Atlanta Falcons stadium.

The bonds approved total more than $22 million and include money for parking upgrades and renovations at the Georgia World Congress Center and Centennial Olympic Park.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported last month that the state’s tab for the new stadium could rise as it was preparing to spend more than $30 million for buy land and build deck parking for the retractable roof stadium.

Officials said $17 million will be used for parking, and that the deck expansion will also serve the Congress Center for events and a future hotel envisioned for the area of the Georgia Dome after it is demolished.

The Falcons will get revenue from the new parking during NFL games and the authority that governs the convention center would receive the proceeds from parking at other events.