Q: Why don't the Atlanta Falcons just implode the Georgia Dome and build the new stadium on the same site? It would probably cost less, and the Falcons could play at Georgia Tech or the University of Georgia while the new stadium is being built. — Jim Rakowitz, Powder Springs
A: The idea of imploding the Georgia Dome and transplanting the Falcons for two or three years during construction of a new stadium was discussed in early negotiations but dismissed for various reasons. Those included the disruption and potential loss of revenue it would cause the Falcons if they had to play their home games at a smaller facility such as Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium or in Athens, about 70 miles from downtown Atlanta. Bobby Dodd Stadium has a capacity of 55,000, compared with 71,250 for Falcons games at the Georgia Dome. Also, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority didn't want to displace other marquee events, including the SEC Championship Game, during that time and then face the potential that those events wouldn't return to Atlanta. The GWCCA and the city of Atlanta would prefer to build the new stadium on a site south of the Georgia Dome because of its proximity to two MARTA stations. The Falcons have said the south site isn't feasible because property belonging to Mount Vernon Baptist Church, which would have to relocate, hasn't been acquired. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed is in negotiations with the church. The Falcons have begun a study of a site north of the Georgia Dome, at Northside Drive and Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard.
Andy Johnston wrote this column; Staff writer Tim Tucker contributed to it. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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