The start of the college football season is bringing crowds to downtown Atlanta. Many of those visitors may find themselves helping to pay for a new Atlanta Falcons stadium.
As fans arrived at the Georgia Dome for the Tennessee Volunteers and the North Carolina State Wolfpack game, many said they weren't happy that a portion of the hotel/motel tax they paid for their rooms in Atlanta could help build the new stadium.
"I appreciate the hospitality we've been granted in Atlanta but paying more for a hotel room is not exactly what we'd like to do to replace a stadium against our rivals," said Pat Eglinton, visiting from Raliegh, N.C.
Eglinton also questioned the need to replace the 20-year-old Dome.
"Totally against that, especially when it comes to out of towners bringing in income to the city of Atlanta to pay for a new stadium for their citizens," said Eglinton.
Plans for a new stadium are the subject of negotiations between the Georgia World Congress and the Falcons. The aim is reach a new agreement by the end of the year and have the new stadium ready for 2017.
The World Congress Center says the hotel/motel tax amounts to a visitor tax that would pay for a portion of a new retractable-roof stadium.
Most of the cost would be paid by the Falcons.
If the plans go through, the Dome would be demolished.
"I would feel kind of jaded as a tourist coming to visit Atlanta. I mean, that's kind of a tax outside of what my interests would be," said Missy Griffin of Knoxville, Ten.
"There may be better uses of tax money in hard economic times. Maybe the city of Atlanta or the hotel, whatever those taxes are going to, should be helping people in need instead of maybe building another stadium," said Dan Rule of Knoxville, Tenn.
But supporters of a new stadium point to a number of economic benefits. Mike Rexrode of Raleigh agreed.
"I'm an NFL fan, I'm a college sports fan, so anything that's going to advance sports for me – whether it's my team or not – I'm all for it," said Rexrode.
The exact location of the new stadium has not been determined. A couple of sites are under consideration.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:06:52 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:01 GMT
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:32:57 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:28:55 GMT
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
