WWW.WIKIPEDIA.ORG TtMELINE PROPOSAL OF THE MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM

Men:edeSrf Stadium - Wddpe<Ha,the free encyclopedia

Mercedes-Benz StadiumFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mercedes-Benz Stadiuml''l is an under-constructionretractable-roof, multi-purpose stadium in Atlanta,Georgia, that will serve as the home of the AtlantaFalcons of the National Football League (NFL) andAtlanta United FC of Major League Soccer (MLS). It isintended to replace the Georgia Dome, which has beenthe Falcons home stadium since 1992. The total cost isestimated at $1.4 billionJlO][ll]

r-~-+---------------------- -Contents

• 1 Proposal timeline• 1.1 2010• 1.2 2011• 1.3 2012• 1.4 2013• 1.5 2014• 1.6 2015

• 2 Design• 3 Costs and funding• 4 Major events• 5 See also• 6 References• 7 Extemallinks

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Proposal timeline

2010In May 2010, it was reported by multiple news outletsthat the Atlanta Falcons were interested in demolishingthe Georgia Dome and replacing it with a newlyconstructed open-air stadiumJ12][13][l4] The team waspursuing a new stadium because of the team's desire toplay outdoors, as well as Falcons team owner ArthurBlank's interest in hosting another Super Bowl.[l3] Thestadium was also pursued as a possible bid for a venue ofan upcoming FIFA World CupPS]

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https:llen.wikipedia.orglwikiIMercedes-Benz_Stadium

Coordinates: 33°45'19.30"N84°24'4.29"W

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Former New Atlanta Stadium (workingnames title)

Location Martin Luther King Jr Dr SWand Northside Dr NWAtlanta, Georgia 30313(actual)

Coordinates 33°45'19.30''N 84°24'4.29"W

Owner Georgia World Congress CenterAuthoritylll

Operator Atlanta Falcons Football Club[1]

Capacity 71,000 (expandable to 75,000 forSuper Bowls and FIFA World Cup,83,000 for the NCAA Final Fourand other events), 29,322 (MLSconfiguration)

Surface GreenFields USA [2]

Construction

Broke May 19,2014[3][4]

ground

Opened June 1,2017 (estimated)

Construction $1.4 billion (projected)

cost

Architect HOK[5]tvsdesign[6]Goode Van Slyke[6]Stanley Beaman & Sears[6]

Project Darden & Company [7]

manager

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In April 2012, Populous released a new price estimate of$947.7 million, which was significantly higher than theprevious proposal of$700 million.p8] In April 2012, TheAtlanta Journal-Constitution reported that if a deal isreached, the new stadium's construction would beexpected to begin in 2014, with the Falcons to begin (http://www.mercedesbenzstadium.com)regular-season play in 2017'p9][20] The proposed location---- - - ------------- - ------of the new stadium is a large parking lot in Atlanta's Vine City neighborhood, which is less than a milenoJh of the Georgia Dome's current location.£11] Once construction is complete, the Georgia Dome wouldsubsequently be demolished.[20]

MercedeslB~i Stadium- Wikipedia,the freeencyclopediaI

2011Kansas City-based architectural firm Populous releasedcomprehensive plans for the proposed stadium inFebruary 2011.£16]Populous' early cost estimate for theproject was $700 million.l! 7] According to the masterplan, the stadium would have a maximum capacity of71,000, but can expand to 75,000 for special events suchas the Super Bowl. It will also feature multiple clublevels, suites and exhibition area.[16]

2012

https:llen.wikipedia.orglwikilMercedes-Benz_Stadium

Structural Buro Happold/Hobermanlfengineer

Services WSP[8]engineer

General IDIRM N (ComprisingHuntcontractor ConstructionGroup,Holder

Construction,H. 1. Russell& Co. &C. D. Moody ConstructionCo.)[6]

Tenants

Atlanta Falcons (NFL) (2017-) (planned)

Atlanta UnitedFC (MLS) (2017-) (planned)

PeachBowl (NCAA) (2017-)(planned)

Website

MercedesBenzStadium.com

On August 24, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that an official deal could be reached on theconstruction of a new stadium by the end of 20 12.[22]They also reported on September 10 that Atlantamayor Kasim Reed said site improvements could likely bump the total cost to $1.2 billion; however, thatdoes not increase the actual building cost, which still remains at an estimated $948 million.£13]

On IDecember 10, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, in a unanimous decision, approved theblue~rint and most of the agreement terms for the new stadium plans. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution article, the term sheet is non-binding and changes could be made at any time as regardsstadium construction. Stadium location, however, is yet to be worked out; proposed locations being reportedare within walking distance of the Georgia Dome, with one site located one-half mile north, and the otherone block directly south, at the one of the stadium's existing parking lots.£14]The project made nationalheadlines for the first time in 2012 on December 15, with team owner Arthur Blank stating in The New YorkTimes that he would rather a new stadium be constructed than a "remodeling job" ofthe Georgia Dome.£15]

2013During a January 10, 2013 press conference, Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed expressed his optimism andconfidence in the construction of the new stadium; he also mentioned the possibility of the new stadiumhelping the city compete for its first Major League Soccer team.£16]

onlMarch 7, 2013, the Atlanta Falcons and the city of Atlanta agreed to build the new downtown stadium.The maximum public contribution for the project is $200 million, coming from the hotel-motel tax in

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MercedesJB~Jz Stadium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

IAtlanta and unincorporated Fulton County. The Atlanta City Councilofficially approved the stadium on March 19,2013. The councilvoted 11-4 in favor of the use of city hotel-motel taxes to pay $200million toward construction costs and potentially several times thatto\rard costs of financing, maintaining and operating the stadiumthr0tIgh 2050P7] On May 21, 2013, the NFL approved a $200million loan to the Falcons organization for the purpose of buildingthe stadium. [28]

https:llen.wikipedia.orglwikilMercedes-Benz_Stadium

,.,"""'"

Aerial photo showing land next toGeorgia Dome cleared forconstruction of the new stadium.

On June 18,2013, it was announced that the Falcons have completeda full conceptual design of the proposed new stadium, and that theyhave secured the initial approval to proceed with the schematicde~ign phase. According to Doug Farrar's Shutdown Corner, "Thestadium will seat approximately 70,000 people, with 180 luxury suites and 7,500 club seats." The mainag~ncy involved will be 360 Architecture, partnered with three other architectural firms. The estimated costof the facility is $1 billion. [29]

2014

Arthur Blank indicated the groundbreaking of the stadium would be conducted the last week of March2014PO][31][32] Just after Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive was closed permanently, the Mount Vernon BaptistChurch held its last Sunday service on March 9 before the historic church was demolished. Due to legalissues surrounding the issuing of bonds, the stadium did not break ground in March 2014P3] Instead theground was officially broken in a ceremony led by Mayor Kasim Reed on May 19, 2014P4]

2015

In a live broadcast on August 24, 2015, owner Arthur Blankannounced that the new title ofthe stadium would beMercedes-Benz Stadium. A new logo was also introduced.Mercedes-Benz CEO Steve Cannon also spoke at the event about the .{company's corporate move from New Jersey to Atlanta. Other ••.••....•---'CO ..

speakers included Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and AtlantaMayor Kasim Reed.

DesignConstruction site in November, 2015.

The winning design, submitted by HOK,C35]featured an eight-panel retractable roof that resembles apinwheel, and a glass wall that opens with the roof, to allow in fresh airP6]

The roof design included eight triangular translucent panels, that when open would create the illusion of abird's wings extended. Surrounding the opening of the roof would be a halo video board that will enclosethe playing surface, stretching from one of the 10 yard lines to the other and then curving around the endzones to complete the oval.[37]

In January 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Daktronics, a South Dakota-based firm, to build the

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MercedeslB~~z Stadium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Istadium's electronics display. The announced features include acircular 58-foot-by-l,100-foot circular LED board that would ringthe opening of the stadium's roof, and would be "three times as largeas the current largest single display board in the NFL" installed atEverBank Field in Jacksonville (also built by Daktronics). Inaddition, the company plans to install more than 20,000 square feetof other LED boards, including field-level advertising boards forsoccer gamesJ38]

The venue will include a 100-yard bar that will stretch the length ofthe football field in the upper concourse, along with a fantasyfoor?alliounge and premium club seating at field level, behind theteams benchesp9]

Arl1ptect Bill Johnson said the circular opening in the roof wasinspired by the Roman Pantheon ("Pantheon" was also the workingname for the building design). The roof was designed to be made ofa clear, lightweight polymer material that can adjust its opacity tocontrol light, and much of the exterior will be clear polymer or glassto allow views to the outside. The middle concourse and upper bowlwere eliminated in the east end zone to allow for an unobstructedview of the Atlanta skyline. [36]

Atlanta United FC General Manager Jim Smith said the design had"soccer in mind from the very beginning", pointing to the retractinglower bowl seats to widen the field, and mechanized curtains thatlimit the capacity to about 29,000 and makes the stadium feel moreintimate. [40]

Costs and funding

https:llen.wikipedia.orgiwikilMercedes-Benz_Stadium

Animation showing the operation ofthe pinwheel-shaped roof

Artist's rendering showing the ring ofLCD screen in action

The mechanical curtains close off theupper bowl from the rest of thestadium for lower-capacity AtlantaUnited FC matches.

In IDecember 2014, the Georgia World Congress Center's board ofgovernors approved a resolution to raise the cost of the stadium to$1.2 billion. The stadium was initially slated to cost $1 billion, then rose to $1.2 billion in October 2013J41]

The city has agreed to contribute $200 million in stadium bonds, but with additional tax revenues[42] andwith the state of Georgia contributing $40 million for parking expansion, public spending is expected toreach near $600 million.[43]

In January 2015, the Falcons announced the sale of personal seat licenses (PSL) costing up to $45,000 perseat, depending on the section of the stadium. The most expensive tickets will be priced at $385 per game,in addition to one-time PSL fees, for the first three yearsJ44]

On August 21, 2015, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Mercedes-Benz would acquire thenaming rights for the stadium, and this was later confirmed by a press conference at the stadium site onAugust 24. Under the stadium deal with the city of Atlanta and the Georgia World Congress CenterAuthority, the Falcons organization controls the stadium's naming rights and receives all related revenue.

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Mercedes-Benz Stadium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaI I

https:llen.wikipedia.org/wikilMercedes-Benz_Stadium

Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon stated that the sponsorship would last 27 years, calling it thelargest marketing deal in Mercedes-Benz' history, but Cannon would not disclose the full value of thedeaIJ45]

See also

• SunTrust Park

References

1. Tucker, Tim (November 14, 2013). "Comparing Braves, Falcons Stadium Deals". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 21, 2014.

2. "WATCH: Video Shows why the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United chose to go with GreenFields Turfhttps:llwww.youtube.com!watch?v=XwzziBk50pg ". External link in I title= (help);

3. Tucker, Tim (May 15,2014). "Falcons Set Ground-Breaking Ceremony for Monday". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 28, 2014.

4. Tucker, Tim (May 19,2014). "At Stadium Groundbreaking, Blank Lobbies for a Super Bowl". The AtlantaJournal-Constitution. Retrieved June 3, 2014.

S. Hanzus, Dan (April 30, 2013). "Atlanta Falcons' Stadium Concepts a Peek Into Future". National FootballLeague. Retrieved April 30, 2013.

6. "Atlanta Falcons Move to Next Stages of Stadium Design Project" (press release). Atlanta Falcons. June 18,2013. Retrieved February 21,2014.

7. "Mercedes-Benz Stadium". Darden & Company, LLC. Retrieved November 5, 2015.8. Saporta, Maria (April 29, 2013). "GWCCA Committee Approves 360 Architecture for Stadium Design". Atlanta

Business Chronicle. Retrieved February 21,2014.9. Tucker, Tim. Falcons officially announce Mercedes-Benz as naming rights partner (http://www.ajc.com

Inews/sports/football/falcons-officially-announce-mercedes-benz-as-naminlnnP9Y I). The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. August 24,2015.

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Mereodesri';" Stadium - Wikipedia, tho free encyclopedia http'd/en.wikipodia.o.-glwikilM""odos-Bonz_Stadium

10. Tucker, Tim (December 2,2014). "Falcons stadium cost goes up again - to $1.4 billion". Atlanta JournalConstitution. Retrieved April 21, 2015.

11. "New Falcons stadium now to cost $1.4 billion". Washington Times. Associated Press. December 2,2014.Retrieved April 21, 2015.

12. "McKay: Hope New Stadium by 2015". ESPN. May 21, 2010. Retrieved September 9,2012.13. Ledbetter, D. Orlando; Stafford, Leon (May 19,2010). "Falcons Prefer New Open-Air Stadium, Downtown".

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 9,2012.14. Trubey, J. Scott; Saporta, Maria, Maria (May 19,2010). "Falcons Want Open Air Stadium North ofGWCC".

Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved September 9,2012.15. "Roger Goodell: Atlanta Needs New Stadium to Host Super Bowl Again". USA Today. Associated Press.

November 11, 2010. Retrieved September 9,2012.16. "Master Plan Phase III - New Open Air NFL Stadium" (PDF). Populous. Retrieved September 9, 2012.17. Stafford, Leon; Ledbetter, D. Orlando; McWilliams, Jeremiah (February 22, 2011). "Falcons' Push for Open-AirI Stadium Gets Lift". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 9,2012.18. Stafford, Leon; Tucker, Tim (April 27, 2012). "New Falcons Stadium Cost Could Exceed $1 billion". The AtlantaII Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 9,2012.19. Stafford, Leon; Tucker, Tim (April 25, 2012). "New Stadium Plan: Retractable Roof, Demolish Dome". The

Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 19, 2013.20. "Atlanta Falcons seeking $1 billion retractable-roof stadium". Fox News (NewsCorp). April 26, 2012. Retrieved

September 9,2012.21. Stafford, Leon (May 26, 2012). "Neighbors of Potential New Stadium Seek Voice". The Atlanta Journal-

Constitution. Retrieved August 8, 2012.22. Stafford, Leon; Tucker, Tim (August 24,2012). "Stadium Deal Could Be Done by End of Year" . The Atlanta

Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 9,2012.23. McWilliams, Jeremiah; Tucker, Tim (September 10,2012). "Reed: Work Around New Falcons Stadium Could

Boost Cost to $1.2 Billion". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 12, 2012.24. Stafford, Leon (December 10,2012). "GWCCA Approves Falcons Stadium Blueprint". The Atlanta Journal-

Constitution. Retrieved January 10,2013.25. Tierney, Mike (December 15,2012). "Falcons Seek New Dome, Not Atlanta Fixer-Upper". The New York Times.

Retrieved January 10,2013.26. McWilliams, Jeremiah (January 10,2013). "Mayor Reed confident Atlanta will get new stadium". The Atlanta

Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 10,2013.27. Suggs, Ernie; Tucker, Tim (March 19,2013). "Atlanta council clears stadium plan". The Atlanta Journal-

Constitution. Retrieved March 19,2013.28. Wilner, Barry (May 21, 2013). "Falcons get $200 million NFL loan for stadium". Washington Post. Associated

Press. Retrieved April 21, 2015.29. Farrar, Doug (June 18,2013). "Falcons have initial approval to go forward with futuristic stadium design".

Shutdown Corner (Yahoo! Sports). Retrieved November 23,2013.30. Saporta, Maria (October 14,2013). "Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Said New $1 Billion Stadium

Development Is 'in a Geally Good Place"'. Saporta Report. Retrieved February 21, 2014.3~. Caldwell, Carla (October 14, 2013). "Blank: Falcons Stadium Groundbreaking Week of March 31". Atlanta

Business Chronicle. Retrieved February 21,2014.32. "Blank: Falcons Stadium Groundbreaking Week of March 31". Atlanta Falcons. October 16, 2013. Retrieved

February 21, 2014.33. Shapiro, Jonathan (April 10, 2014). "Judge Hears Arguments In Legal Challenge Of Falcons Stadium

Financing". WABE (Atlanta). Retrieved May 14, 2014.34. Tucker, Tim (May 19,2014). "At stadium groundbreaking, Blank lobbies for a Super Bowl". The Atlanta

Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 19,2014.35. Stafford, Diane (August 19, 2014). "HOK Will Acquire Kansas City-Based 360 Architecture". The Kansas City

Star. Retrieved February 13,2015.3

1

61

. Newcomb, Tim (April 16, 2014). "MLS in Atlanta: The $1.2 Billion Stadium Blank's New Team Will Share with! the Falcons". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 14,2014.

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Mercedf~z Stadium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia https:llen.wikipedia.orglwikilMercedes-Benz_Stadium

37. Tucker, Tim (June 21, 2014). "Falcons, Braves Stadium Designs Advance". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.Retrieved February 13,2015.

38. Tucker, Tim (January 30, 2015). "Falcons Hire Firm to Build NFL's Largest Video Board". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 5, 2015.

39. http://www.myajc.comlnews/sports/falcons-braves-stadium-designs-advance/ngNkF1 l?icmp=ajc _intemallink _invitationbox _apr20 13_ajcstubtomyajcpremium#a09dft25.3 728029.7355434@.Straus, Brian (April 18, 2014). "Former Crew GM, Current Falcons VP Confident Blank, MLS Will Be Fruitful

Combo". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 14,2014.41. Saporta, Maria; Wenk, Amy (December 2,2014). "Atlanta Falcons stadium's Cost Will 'rise up' to $1.4 Billion".

Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved February 5,2015.42. deMause, Neil (March 18,2013). "Falcons Stadium Cost to Taxpayers, Counting Hidden Subsidies: $554

Million". Field of Schemes. Retrieved February 5, 2015.43. deMause, Neil (January 20, 2015). "Falcons Stadium Subsidy Nearing $600m Thanks to State-Funded Parking

Garage". Field of Schemes. Retrieved February 5, 2015.41 . "Falcons Announce Controversial Ticket Pricing for New Stadium". WSB (Atlanta). January 8, 2015. Retrieved

February 5, 2015.4). Tucker, Tim. "Falcons officially announce Mercedes-Benz as naming rights partner". Atlanta Journal-

Constitution. Retrieved 24 August 2015.46. Cooper, Sam (April 21, 2014). "Chick-fil-A Bowl Adds Peach Back to Its Name, Will Be One of Six Semifinal

Sites for College Football Playoff". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved February 5, 2015.47. Tucker, Tim (November 14,2014). "Atlanta Lands Final Four in 2020". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Retrieved February 5,2015.48. "Clash of the Titans". chick-fil-akickoffgame.com. Retrieved 5 September 2015.49. Hinnen, Jerry. "Georgia Tech, Tennessee to meet in 2017 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff". CBS Sports. Retrieved 20 July

2015.5(i)."SEC Championship Game to remain in Atlanta until 2027". ESPN. Retrieved 8 September 2015.51. Taylor, John. "Atlanta (2018), Santa Clara (2019), New Orleans (2020) selected as future title game sites".

CollegeFootballTalk. Retrieved 2015-11-04.

External links

• Official website (http://mercedesbenzstadium.com/)• Construction cam (http://mercedesbenzstadium.comlmultimedialwebcam/)• New Stadium Project (NSP) (http://www.hhrmjv.com/)• Master Plan Phase III- New Open Air NFL Stadium (http://www.blogandtackle.netlwp-content

luploads/20 111021AtlantaStadiumProposal 02-11_ Part 1.pdt)

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construCti0tUpdate, January 20161 Mercedes-Benz Stadium http://mercedesbenzstadium.coml2016/02/23/construction-update-janu ...

MENU

NEWS & COMMUNITY

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: JANUARY 2016Feb 23, 2016 Construction Updates

In January, walls within the main corridors on the Event Level reached full height, helping toenclose these areas for further interior work.

In addition, landscaping has been successfully planted along newly opened Mitchell Streeton the South rim of the stadium's campus.

Roof structure steel continues to be prepared for installation and erected, as the first trusswas set in November.

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