Blank’s plan is reasonable, although it’s likely and proper that the state and city will push him to foot even more of the stadium cost himself, rather than expecting taxpayers to pay so much for the party.
But if no deal can be worked out on a downtown stadium, state Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan (D-Austell) has a “Plan B” in mind that would benefit both the Falcons and Cobb County. That is, build the new stadium in the Six Flags area of south Cobb. A “Six Flags Dome,” if you will.
She floated her plan, apparently off the cuff, toward the end of her two-hour town hall meeting Saturday at the South Cobb Community Center.
“Quite frankly, if the deal doesn’t work out at the state level and they are looking for somewhere to house their stadium, I would love to have it come to the Six Flags area,” Morgan said. “We would appreciate the economic development opportunity.”
The county has been exploring ways of revitalizing the area around Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park on Interstate 20, which is pocked by numerous aging apartment complexes and other rundown housing. The South Cobb Redevelopment Authority, which was recently reactivated by the Cobb Board of Commissioners, has been considering purchasing and demolishing some of those complexes, then flipping them to developers to spark revitalization. Building a stadium near Six Flags might have much the same result.
Meanwhile, if Cobb is interested in a “Plan C” for the Falcons, Marietta could consider persuading Blank to build his new stadium in the Franklin Road corridor along I-75, which is also blighted by rundown apartment complexes. But like a Six Flags site, a Franklin Road stadium would be easily accessible by interstate for most of the team’s fan base.
Blank’s push for a new stadium is still in the first quarter, so to speak, but it would behoove local officials to have their Plans B and C waiting on the bench for Blank to consider, just in case.
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Sounds like bulldozers would solve a great deal of the problem. Help can be found at Yancy Brothers Caterpillar on Lee Industrial Blvd..... Maybe the braintrust(sarcasm)in Marietta, Mableton and Austell can tell me why after 40 years of neglecting South Cobb its lamenting the conditions now? Seriously, you people are an on going bad joke... a four decade long bad joke....
BTW Morgan is talking out of her you know what, it would be insane to move the dome to South Cobb.
Cobb has bragged lower taxes as their clamed to fame for years & years- w/out bringing in any new businesses.
North Fulton, including the Alpharetta, Roswell & Alpharetta areas are booming. Now, to make the final blow to Cobb, Milton Rep., Jan Jones has proposed legislation to LOWER Fulton taxes. This proposal includes to double the homestead exemption AND exempt homes under 150,000. If this legislation wins approval,.. Cobb will NOT be able to compete in the REAL world.
It's been lying around dormant, producing nothing, while the movers and shakers are using their brains.
Also, as far as the Doraville GM Plant goes,.. see Egbert Perry's proposal. I believe the remarks are the same person that attacked MK when MK said Town Brookhaven would be built out & finished, while Smyrnas Belmont Hills continues to grow kudzoo.
GM Plant will become a mixed use,international, high tech business development!
It doesn't take a rocket scientist.
Really?
I notice this year the game is in New Orleans, with a MUCH OLDER facility than the Ga Dome.
Second...how often are governments going to make this mistake... Build a stadium in the middle of a run down area thinking it will lead to revitalization of that area. When has that EVER worked??? The problem is a stadium is a specialized facility that isn't open Mon-Fri 9-5 and isn't a regular draw to local citizens.
You go to the event, then go home. People don't stay and hang around.
The Ga Dome has NOT started development. Turner Field has horribly failed to kick start development, after 17 years of trying.
If you want to build a new stadium, then fine. But don't pretend that it's going to be a god send to a declining area.
Build a beautiful domed stadium in the existing parking lots to the north of Turner Field for the Falcons to call home.
Instead of spending hundreds of millions of dollars to tear down the structurally sound Georgia Dome, spend a few dollars to remove the dome, install natural grass and make it an open air stadium. Find an investor group, contact Major League Soccer and let them know you've got a stadium just waiting to be filled with fans in one of the largest markets in America.
The parking will be reduced for the Falcons and Braves games, but people can take advantage of MARTA shuttles like they do now.
College football is huge down here and the museum will open soon. Have a College Football Hall of Fame Weekend....four teams from four major conferences battling each other in the two stadiums. Fill those hotel rooms and make a few bucks to pay for the stadiums!!!
Does Cobb County have the 200 million matching funds? Or the infrastructure & transit?
Looks to me that the Cobb DOT can't even design a workable exit from 285 to the Galleria area.
The diverging diamonds, Marta & Chambers w/ proven results ( Fulton & Gwinnett) are eating Cobb's lunch.
Doraville's GM site, Gwinnett & North Fulton all have the power of the purse way ahead of a Cobb County pipe dream.
Maybe Cobb counties reps & elected officials needs to become competitive in the REAL world bring some JOBS to Cobb. Cobb is definitely being left out of quality relocations & expansions of tech companies, Fortune 500's & manufacturing.
Gwinnett has a proven track record proving they can lure, retain & grow business. Look at North Fulton , luring high paid blue collar jobs, companies & communities.
When there are solid choices being discussed for the stadium location, it's just foolish to suggest an investor would consider sinking a billion into non productive, rundown, low income Cobb County.