Mayor: Atlanta Falcons Select South Site for New Stadium, Churches Agree

In a press release statement, Patch learned of the final deal to make the "south-site" the new official home of the Atlanta Falcons.  The south-site is the current location of two historic churches, who have since agreed on large sums to sell their property and move.  According to the release, "agreements with two churches and feasibility completion clear way for preferred site to replace Georgia Dome."  The following is the full statement released by Mayor Reed's office.

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Falcons notified the City of Atlanta today that the team has chosen the south site, at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Drive and Northside Drive, as the final site for construction of the new stadium. 

“This decision today by the Falcons will have a positive impact on our great city for many years to come,” Mayor Kasim Reed said. “I’m proud of the hard work we invested in the south site as the best location for the new stadium. It took a little more work to get us to this place, but the long-term sustainability of the stadium and the surrounding neighborhoods were important priorities for me.”

Mayor Reed’s administration has been instrumental in negotiations surrounding the south site as the final location, given its connectivity to MARTA and the Georgia World Congress Center complex.

Mayor Reed continued: “The investment in, and around, the new stadium will result in much-needed improvements and redevelopment opportunities for nearby communities. Of equal importance, Friendship Baptist Church and Mt. Vernon Baptist Church were treated respectfully and will have an opportunity to continue their ministries and community outreach for many more years.”

Falcons’ Owner and Chairman Arthur Blank praised the work of many parties, including the City of Atlanta, the State of Georgia, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority and the two churches on the site, for the efforts required to reach agreement.

“As the preferred site, the South Site serves the best interests of many important partners, including the surrounding communities. We are grateful for the ongoing support of everyone involved in this project, and we look forward to sharing further details regarding the new stadium design in the coming weeks.”

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