Atlanta United FC Thread (Decatur, Avondale Estates: hotels, construction, schools)

[cqholt]

Not a good deal for DeKalb County at all.

[jeoff]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Glad to see they went with a site with MARTA access. This is better than the Cobb location that was discussed. I may make it out to some of the events they do here.

I still don't like the idea of tax money going to these teams, but I guess this deal isn't that terrible: Atlanta United gets the prepared land for free for 30 years, they spend $30M to build the complex. The county / public gets use of the fields when the team is not using it. The county rents some space in the buildings and then get the entire complex after 30 years.

More coverage:
Atlanta United could Build True Soccer Complex in DeKalb - Curbed
DeKalb Commission expected to vote on Atlanta United soccer training complex Tuesday morning - Atlanta Business Chronical

Only way that this is a good deal for Dekalb, is if it brings a lot new investment into the area, if not, they just spent 12 million bucks for soccer fields that they can only use part-time, and even more empty obsolete buildings along Memorial Drive in 30 years time.

[red92s]

I get that commissioners have probably made up their minds, and through backroom negotiations all the votes are probably set in stone when they walk into the room . . . . but at least act like you don't have somewhere better to be and listen to the public comments for half an hour. They are not going to be swayed by public input, that much is clear, but at least let them feel like due process might not be getting totally trampled on.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by red92s

I get that commissioners have probably made up their minds, and through backroom negotiations all the votes are probably set in stone when they walk into the room . . . . but at least act like you don't have somewhere better to be and listen to the public comments for half an hour. They are not going to be swayed by public input, that much is clear, but at least let them feel like due process might not be getting totally trampled on.

Seems like a 'Cobb' thing to do.

[Zanarkand A East]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Not a good deal for DeKalb County at all.

^This

[/thread]

[CashmereEsquire]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Not a good deal for DeKalb County at all.

yea, the location is "in the cut", compared to being visible on the main Memorial Dr strip, and what exactly would the county utilize this for?

[bu2]

Originally Posted by jeoff

Only way that this is a good deal for Dekalb, is if it brings a lot new investment into the area, if not, they just spent 12 million bucks for soccer fields that they can only use part-time, and even more empty obsolete buildings along Memorial Drive in 30 years time.

They could build more than 3 soccer fields they could use full time for $12 million. I bet they could buy those 3 for sale on Mountain Industrial for a lot less than that. And don't forget, they are giving up 41 acres of land for 30 years as well.

Horrible give-away.

[bu2]

This is the type of thing that so frustrates people and makes them want to get away from DeKalb (and Fulton).

[bu2]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Seems like a 'Cobb' thing to do.

More like a Fulton thing-Falcons, now Hawks.

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

Originally Posted by bu2

More like a Fulton thing-Falcons, now Hawks.

Negatory. In COA we have a special hotel tax that is earmarked and can only be spent on things for tourists and conventions. Show where residents of CoA tax money went to the stadium.