$1.2 billion for new stadium? (Atlanta: tax, lawsuit, bus)

[cqholt]

How far along are these projects to extend the line out to Stonecrest? It sounds like they are just talking at this point, but with public meetings, are they getting serious about building this expansion? Where is the funding coming from?

Right now, just trying to get the extensions past all the studies so some can qualify for federal funds.

[MattCW]

It will be 10 to 15 years before start of construction for I-20 east. Funding would likely be in the form of grants from the Federal Transit Administration.

[westau]

Originally Posted by ChimRichalds

As a whole, transit is weak in the Metroplex. The placement of Jerryland and The Ballpark in Arlington is midway between Dallas and Fort Worth making them regional teams as much as just Dallas's teams.

Very few NFL stadiums are part of the urban fabric. Off the top of my head the only two I can think of are Ford Field in Detroit and Lucas Oil in Indianapolis. Most are either on the edge of downtown areas like Soldier Field, Georgia Dome, or Cleveland Browns Stadium or in the suburbs like Cowboys Stadium, Ralph Wilson Stadium or Gillette Field.

The reason baseball stadiums like Wrigley and Fenway are, is because they were built before the proliferation of the automobile and Oriole Park at Camden Yards was built to embody the retro feel of these two stadiums.

The Titans stadium is also in downtown Nashville.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by westau

The Titans stadium is also in downtown Nashville.

Its across the river from downtown on old industrial land. There is nothing around it on the riverbank.

[po-boy]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Its across the river from downtown on old industrial land. There is nothing around it on the riverbank.

I actually really like the placement of the stadium in Nashville. It is a little removed from downtown by the river so it doesn't destroy walkability/vibrancy in downtown Nashville and there is a lot of parking space for tailgating. But at the same time the stadium is close enough to downtown that you can walk to the bars and restaurants before and after a game.

I feel like that does a good job balancing the needs of drivers/tailgaters with people who would like to do other things around a stadium. In some places like Dallas and Washington the NFL stadiums are completely surrounded by parking lots with absolutely nothing else going on, and I think the Nashville set up is far preferable.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by po-boy

I actually really like the placement of the stadium in Nashville. It is a little removed from downtown by the river so it doesn't destroy walkability/vibrancy in downtown Nashville and there is a lot of parking space for tailgating. But at the same time the stadium is close enough to downtown that you can walk to the bars and restaurants before and after a game.

I feel like that does a good job balancing the needs of drivers/tailgaters with people who would like to do other things around a stadium. In some places like Dallas and Washington the NFL stadiums are completely surrounded by parking lots with absolutely nothing else going on, and I think the Nashville set up is far preferable.

They could do more to fill in the north and east areas around the stadium. There is nothing but open parcels. The stadium being on the river and the Shelby Street pedestrian bridge is nice to lure people back downtown after a game.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by po-boy

In some places like Dallas and Washington the NFL stadiums are completely surrounded by parking lots with absolutely nothing else going on, and I think the Nashville set up is far preferable.

But those island stadiums in a sea of parking lots are the most profitable teams.

[cqholt]

But those island stadiums in a sea of parking lots are the most profitable teams.

That has nothing to do with the teams being profitable. They have die hard fans that show up no matter the record.

[Mal93]

I always thought the Charlotte Stadium was out of the way (but convenient to 485 once it was completed). However the addition of the LRT that followed the rail tracks across the center of town - which seemed to get built very quickly to me- puts you about .25 mi from the stadium which isn't bad. I don't know the "politics" of the Lynx Blue line but traveling in and out of Charlotte for work I thought it was a very forward-thinking move to allow accessibility across town. I haven't ridden it in a long time but it seemed to get the job done. IF we have to build a new stadium, moving it outside of MARTA rail seems crazy. Most of the train stations on the South and West side have parking and this is the most convenient way to get to the Dome if you aren't interested in tailgating.

[po-boy]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

But those island stadiums in a sea of parking lots are the most profitable teams.

Maybe in the short term, but I am not sure if it is sustainable. The stadium owners can gouge people on parking, but after a while people may show up less often.

Over the last several years FedEx Field has reduced capacity twice by a total of about 14,000 seats. This was done b/c the famed sellout streak was in danger. I've been to FedEx Field several times and I have to say the location was a deterrent. I haven't been to a game in years.

Of course whether people attend or not is a result of lots of factors (convenience, cost, team performance, weather), but for me being in the middle of a sea of parking lots reduces my experience and increases my cost and makes me less likely to go. I suppose the market will sort it out in the long run.