Idea for Georgia Dome site. (Atlanta: home, authority, license)

[therealpattman]

What do you propose they name this new venue?

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by dpatt.marine1

What do you propose they name this new venue?

the highest bidder that writes a check to Arthur Blank. I'm pretty sure it will be some corporate sponsor... similar to Phillips Arena

[therealpattman]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

the highest bidder that writes a check to Arthur Blank. I'm pretty sure it will be some corporate sponsor... similar to Phillips Arena

Maybe a local company such as Coca Cola or Georgia Pacific, should be interesting.

[Saintmarks]

Thanks for the update CWK. I would think the dome could be retrofitted to be more convention hall space for the GWCC instead of knocking the whole thing down. The GWCC was once the largest convention center in the country, now it is ranked fourth. Could stand to get back in the competition, would have to look it up but Las Vegas and Orlando are ahead, not sure of the other one.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

Thanks for the update CWK. I would think the dome could be retrofitted to be more convention hall space for the GWCC instead of knocking the whole thing down. The GWCC was once the largest convention center in the country, now it is ranked fourth. Could stand to get back in the competition, would have to look it up but Las Vegas and Orlando are ahead, not sure of the other one.

Chicago, I believe.
I agree that using the property for additional convention space is a good idea. We need to get back in the game.

[cwkimbro]

well the Dome (and in the future and new stadium) are already included in the GWCC totals.

I'm not sure if a second stadium will really our convention center more competitive.

They originally, last year, studied the idea of having two stadiums. The Dome and a cheaper open air stadium.

The rejected the idea. I think the root problem is the GA Dome will need 10's of millions in investment in the coming years and into the low 100's millions in the coming decade or two just to keep operational.

I think part of the justification for spending money on the new stadium is we wouldn't have the GA Dome has a financial liability as it ages.

Our convention traffic has been down slightly. I don't think the issue is the size of our facilities. I think we have to make Downtown Atlanta seem like a clean and safe, but also fun and exciting place to be to stay at the top of our game.

[Iconographer]

Space is definitely an issue. Atlanta lost COMDEX primarily due to the convention outgrowing us. That loss alone was huge for the city.

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Space is definitely an issue. Atlanta lost COMDEX primarily due to the convention outgrowing us. That loss alone was huge for the city.

I'm not sure about that...

That was back in the '90s and they stopped just a few years after leaving, I think.

They never completely used up all of our halls at 3.9 million sq ft.

[Ant131531]

Never thought Id hear that Atlanta lacked space.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

well the Dome (and in the future and new stadium) are already included in the GWCC totals.

I'm not sure if a second stadium will really our convention center more competitive.

They originally, last year, studied the idea of having two stadiums. The Dome and a cheaper open air stadium.

The rejected the idea. I think the root problem is the GA Dome will need 10's of millions in investment in the coming years and into the low 100's millions in the coming decade or two just to keep operational.

I think part of the justification for spending money on the new stadium is we wouldn't have the GA Dome has a financial liability as it ages.

Our convention traffic has been down slightly. I don't think the issue is the size of our facilities. I think we have to make Downtown Atlanta seem like a clean and safe, but also fun and exciting place to be to stay at the top of our game.

I wasn't thinking of keeping the dome as is, but using it somehow for more convention space. Maybe gut the thing, take off the dome, put a real roof on it for a massive convention floor more in line with A, B and C.