441
59
75
GEORGIA STATE EDITION
Cornella 19
A Supplement to:
Rome 85 27
Athens 441
Atlanta
20
Madison Augusta
85
20
Griffin 1
129
Milledgeville
75
La Grange
Macon
301
185 19
16
Dublin
Swainsboro Oak Park
Columbus
Statesboro
341 441 16
Lyons Americus
August 6 2014
Dorchester
341
Cuthbert
75
Albany
84
Douglas Tifton
82
95
82
Blakely
Pearson
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”
301
1
82
Vol. XVI • No. 16
Savannah
McRae Cordele
27
27 84
Moultrie
19 319
84
Bainbridge
Valdosta Thomasville
Waycross Brunswick 82
1 441
Your Georgia Connection: Rich Olivier, Atlanta, GA • 1-800-409-1479
Largest Construction Project in Atlanta Under Way By Cindy Riley
360 Architecture photo
CEG CORRESPONDENT
A rendering of the completed stadium.
Described as the single largest construction project in the city in the next three years, the new Atlanta stadium, which remains nameless for the moment, will serve as the official home of the Falcons football team. The $1.2 billion dollar multi-purpose facility, set for completion in time for the 2017 NFL season, will total 1.8 million sq. ft. (167,225 sq m), and include a retractable roof configuration and an openair concourse. “The stadium will also feature a first of its kind, 360degree video scoreboard, which will be programmable for various events,” said Rich McKay, president and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons. “Other amenities include seven exclusive dining and entertainment club areas, field level suites, a 100yard bar and a Fantasy Football lounge.” Billed as a state-of-the-art, iconic sports and entertainment complex, the stadium was designed to attract world-class sports, cultural and commercial events and serve as a landmark for the city. Already getting international attention, the stadium will feature a floor to ceiling window with views of downtown Atlanta. It will reportedly represent the highest standards in environmental responsibility, and will incorporate the latest in sustainable and LEED advancements in design, construction and operations. “Our goal is for the stadium to set a new standard in sustainability for major sports and entertainment venues,” McKay said. “Our strategic LEED partner, Georgia Power, joins us in our commitment to environmental responsibility and in our approach to reimagining the stadium experience. Sustainable features will include bicycle and pedestrian paths, edible landscaping, sustainable, low/zero toxicity building materials and an open-air environment, which provides air flow and maximizes daylight and natural ventilation for energy optimization. In May 2014, a groundbreaking ceremony — complete with fireworks and the distribution of 3D glasses — was held for the new stadium. Falcons and MLS Atlanta owner Arthur Blank; Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed; NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell; Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber; and Georgia World Congress Center Authority Executive Director Frank Poe were all in attendance. “Today is truly a celebration not only for the Falcons and
the new major league soccer team that will call this stadium home, but for the city of Atlanta, the state of Georgia and all of our partners who have worked so hard to make this project a reality,” Blank said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “We are committed to providing our fans and event guests with an unparalleled experience in the new facility, and we’re equally committed to the long-term economic growth and success of this great city and state.” The project will have a major impact not only on the Falcons, but also the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia. Since their debut season in 1966, the Falcons have called downtown Atlanta home. After spending more than
two dozen seasons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the team moved to the Georgia Dome in 1992. The Falcons’s lease at the Georgia Dome expires in 2020, or when the bonds that financed the Dome’s construction are paid off (set for 2017). By then, the Dome will be a quarter century old, the average age of retirement for other NFL domed stadiums. The Authority considered a major renovation of the Georgia Dome, but a study determined costs to bring the structure to current NFL standards and to continue to meet the needs of the Georgia World Congress Center would be nearly $900 million. It was determined a new building would be constructed on Authority property. After considering two potential sites north and south of the existing Georgia Dome, the south location was selected in September 2013. The site was chosen after two historic African-American churches and their congregations agreed to sell their property to make way for the stadium. The high-profile project is a joint venture that includes Holder Construction, Hunt Construction Group, HJ Russell & Company and CD Moody Construction Company (HHRM). Holder Construction is the managing partner. Reeves Contracting of Atlanta is performing site work. “We are currently drilling piers and excavating part of the see STADIUM page 8