On Wednesday, August 28, the Council for Quality Growth hosted – at the request of the Atlanta Falcons and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) – a breakfast event highlighting the plans for the new Falcons stadium that will be constructed to replace the Georgia Dome. A crowd of over 750 people flocked to the Sidney Marcus Auditorium in the Georgia World Congress Center to hear about the new plans and the implications that the stadium project has for economic growth and development in the metro Atlanta region.
To see the recap video “Atlanta’s New Stadium: What it Means for the Community, City, and State”, click here.
Tim Lowe, Chairman of the GWCCA Board of Governors and Council officer, made a compelling presentation about the economic impact of the GWCCA and how it will be enhanced by the new stadium. Bill Johnson, Senior Principal of 360 Architects, unveiled designs for the new stadium and highlighted the innovative and unique features that will allow the new stadium to adapt to a variety of sporting and entertainment events in the future.
Following these presentations, WSB-TV News Anchor John Bachman moderated a panel to discuss the ongoing developments regarding the location and construction of the stadium, as well as the long-term impact that this project will have on the metro Atlanta economy and the communities immediately surrounding the stadium. This panel included Arthur Blank, Owner & Chairman of the Atlanta Falcons; Rich McKay, President & CEO of the Falcons; Penny McPhee, President of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; Tim Lowe, Chairman of the GWCCA Board of Governors; Bill Johnson, Senior Principal of 360 Architects; Tommy Holder, Chairman & CEO of Holder Construction Company; and Dave Moody, President & CEO of C.D. Moody Construction Company.
In particular, the panelists emphasized that the plans for this stadium are designed to foster collaboration and partnerships with local business interests, with the goal of creating local jobs and improving local communities. Arthur Blank praised the partnership that had developed between the Falcons and the local government, stating that, “We are in a great public private partnership.”
As Mr. Blank explained: “This has to be a win for everybody in the community – everybody – all the stakeholders. We’re in a good place. But we understand the window for the timing is closing. And we are fairly close to making a decision on it.” To read more about this event, click here.