Falcons turn attention away from ‘south site’ - and proximity to MARTA - for new stadium (Update)

Focus now turns to alternate property located along Northside Drive

1375201349 Pantheon Falcons
Photo credit: GWCCA
Behold the 'Pantheon,' the proposed design of the estimated $1 billion complex

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  • GWCCA
  • Behold the ‘Pantheon,’ the proposed design of the estimated $1 billion complex

It appears that the so-called south site that’s currently home to two historic churches might no longer be an option for the new Atlanta Falcons stadium.

Maria Saporta, quoting Lloyd Hawk, the chairman of Friendship Baptist Church’s board of trustees, says the Falcons are now concentrating solely on an alternate chunk of land located along Northside Drive and Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard.

The board of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, which owns the “north site,” gave the Falcons the OK to begin due diligence work on the property. The “north site,” which currently serves as the convention center’s marshaling yards, is several blocks from MARTA’s Georgia Dome and Vine City stations. That detail is sure to spark some opposition to the change of plans. In addition, as Saporta notes, nearby neighborhoods might also push against the move.

Falcons executives gave themselves until Aug. 1 to cut a deal with Friendship Baptist and Mount Vernon Baptist Church, which currently sit on land the team considered ideal for building the new stadium.

We emailed a spokeswoman for Falcons owner Arthur Blank on Tuesday and will update if we hear back.

UPDATE: Saporta and Atlanta Business Chronicle colleague Amy Wenk reported yesterday that negotiations with Friendship Baptist Church and Mount Vernon Baptist Church were continuing.

NOTE: This post has been updated to include new information.