NFL Falcons Hoping for USD 700m Open-Air Stadium Approval

February 24, 2011

National Football League (NFL) side, the Atlanta Falcons have seemingly moved a step closer towards approval to build a new home stadium after the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) signaled it is ready to move into detailed talks on the matter.

The GWCCA agreed to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Falcons on the club’s proposals for a new US$700m open-air stadium downtown. However, the authority emphasised that the memorandum does not constitute a done deal, but rather allows them to begin negotiations over details of the project, including financing.

Officials said that a new stadium “could open as soon as 2017,” and would be “built on a site just over a half-mile north of the Georgia Dome.”

The GWCCA approved the agreement on Tuesday, February 22, after architecture firm Populous delivered its look at the viability of an open-air stadium.

The stadium plans mean that the venue would have 65,000 permanent seats, 10,000 temporary seats, 7,500 club seats and 110 suites.