How to make Atlanta work: part 2

[Eleven Bravo]

Alright going to what we last talked about:

How many acres would be needed to build a home for a MLS team? Also, what city in Atlanta would be the best bet for a team. If McPherson and Gillem are closing than that's a whole lot of land right in the middle of town(might not be the best part of town) , and it is right on the MARTA.

[jbeall]

How about near a MARTA station off Peachtree Industrial? Is there any space near P'tree Ind. and 285?


I'm more familiar with the area on the highways itself, so I don't know if there's a spot just off the highway that I don't know about. At any rate, somewhere near MARTA, just 'cause you don't wanna make traffic in the area worse than it already is!

[BigKahuna]

Near a MARTA station is ideal so the Fort McPherson/Gillem idea is interesting. I feel like 20 acres may not be enough for the 'Backs and I definately don't think it'd be enough for an MLS team so that Spaghetti Junction location concerns me...as if sharing the stadium or he Backs moving up is an option anyway. I just hope it is as close to downtown as possible so that it is in a central location to where the soccer fans are. You have really large youth clubs in south Atlanta (Fayette, Conyers) as well as large concentration of potetial fans in the northern suburbs (Gwinett, Marietta) and hopefully they could find something that makes the trip to the game reasonable for all of them.

[BigKahuna]

Something that I think we need to do is organize ourselves and make it known that we want a team to come to Atlanta. Here's my idea...lets compile a list of of all the "Who's Who" in the Atlanta and MLS FO soccer scene and include important contact information. That way we will have all that info compiled in one location and can use it to express our views. I'll go ahead and start with a few names that we need to be aware of:

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NAME: Gary Stokan - President of the Atlanta Sports Council

CONTACT: http://www.atlantasportscouncil.com/aboutus_staff.aspx

IMPORTANCE: Here is the Atlanta Sports Council Mission Statement:

"The Atlanta Sports Council promotes the value of sports growth in Atlanta and Georgia by acting as an authority on the economic impact, visibility and quality of life issues associated with sports. Its mission is to lead, organize and support sports development with the goal of building Atlanta 's reputation as the Sports Capital of the World. "

Stokan was one of the Atlanta reps to meet with MLS when they were scouting out Atlanta as a possible site for expansion. He is definately someone that needs to know that Atlanta will support the effort to bring a team here.

[BigKahuna]

I'm trying to find the information for Wendy Parker, a soccer-friendly AJC sports columnist and some sort of contact for Arthur Blank or his representitives or whatever. If you guys can find anything, post it here.

[Eleven Bravo]

what about Mercer Reynolds? he owns Reynolds plantation and is like the ambassador of Switzerland. he might be a possibility.

[Michael CM1]

Alright going to what we last talked about:

How many acres would be needed to build a home for a MLS team? Also, what city in Atlanta would be the best bet for a team. If McPherson and Gillem are closing than that's a whole lot of land right in the middle of town(might not be the best part of town) , and it is right on the MARTA.

I think (yes, it's biased because of where I live) the best location is still the Gwinnett area. Lots of youth programs plus a large Latino population plus many other nationalities (Indian, Pakistani, many Arabs, etc.). For about 5 years I have seen this HUGE tract of land off I-85 south of Harry's Farmer's Market. If the Silverbacks Stadium is on 20 acres, this plot has to be about 500. There are some office parks zoned to go in on part of it but it still seems like a good place for a stadium. If MARTA would ever expand the NE rail line it would go right through this location. The Gwinnett bus route has stops on the road already. Plus you would have the same free advertising of visibility like Turner Field has.

Can anyone send this to Arthur Blank? Tell him an MLS team won't cost $400 million. :)

[Eleven Bravo]

i know i would love it in Gwinnett since i live in Athens :)

[DavidP]

Near a MARTA station is ideal so the Fort McPherson/Gillem idea is interesting. I feel like 20 acres may not be enough for the 'Backs and I definately don't think it'd be enough for an MLS team so that Spaghetti Junction location concerns me...as if sharing the stadium or he Backs moving up is an option anyway. I just hope it is as close to downtown as possible so that it is in a central location to where the soccer fans are. You have really large youth clubs in south Atlanta (Fayette, Conyers) as well as large concentration of potetial fans in the northern suburbs (Gwinett, Marietta) and hopefully they could find something that makes the trip to the game reasonable for all of them.

If you're looking at the south side, Lakewood Stadium is already a 20,000 seater (plus, I think all of the seats are between the 30s). Work out a deal with the city to rip out the astroturf and the track, widen the field and out down grass, and you're there. Of course, that's not the greatest part of town...:rolleyes:

[DCUdiplomat96]

MBCs Hearndon is far and away the best Soccer venue. the ACOC renevated it intime for the olympics years ago and right now its riped for soccer. Also its well tested for soccerv games (atlanta beat, sevaral internationals, meixcan team friendly )within the last two yrs. all had real good revues. also access to marta is way better than the braves and lakewood put together. HEARDON HEARDON HEARDON!!!!!!!!!

[Michael CM1]

MBCs Hearndon is far and away the best Soccer venue. the ACOC renevated it intime for the olympics years ago and right now its riped for soccer. Also its well tested for soccerv games (atlanta beat, sevaral internationals, meixcan team friendly )within the last two yrs. all had real good revues. also access to marta is way better than the braves and lakewood put together. HEARDON HEARDON HEARDON!!!!!!!!!

I do think you mean Herndon :)

It's only problem is capacity. I think it holds around 15,000. It could do for a temporary solution but I don't think it'll matter. Toronto just broke ground on their stadium and they will begin playing in it next year. How it's going to get built in time, I don't know. But I don't think Atlanta would enter the league without a SSS.

[BigKahuna]

I'm trying to find the information for Wendy Parker, a soccer-friendly AJC sports columnist and some sort of contact for Arthur Blank or his representitives or whatever. If you guys can find anything, post it here.

Has anyone else been able to dig up any contact info?

I did find this person:

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NAME: Mike Knobler

EMAIL: mknobler@ajc.com

IMPORTANCE: Sports writer for the AJC. I read an article he wrote about soccer in Atlanta the other day so he may have some information. I'll try to contact him in a few days.

[BigKahuna]

Here are some contacts in the Atlanta Silverbacks organizaion:

http://www.atlantasilverbacks.com/pro/contact.php

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NAME: Stephen Pratten - President of Atlanta Silverbacks

EMAIL: stephen.pratten@atlantasilverbacks.com

PHONE: 404-969-4900

IMPORTANCE: Obviously one of the possibiliies for MLS expansion is for the Silverbacks to move up. Hopefully, the front office is open to this idea an Pratten seems to be the highest ranking official who's email is redily available. I'll try to write him a little note soon.

[AAGunner3]

Has anyone else been able to dig up any contact info?


Have you checked Wendy's soccer blog, "Off the Ball"? (http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/custom/blogs/soccer/index.html)

I bet her email is: wparker@ajc.com

According to Great South's 2005-6 SID Manual (http://www.greatsouth.org/downloads/2005-06%20SID%20Manual.pdf)
and AtlantaSnews.com (http://atlantasnews.net/aggregator2/sources?from=30) that's her email.

[BigKahuna]

Have you checked Wendy's soccer blog, "Off the Ball"? (http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/custom/blogs/soccer/index.html)

I bet her email is: wparker@ajc.com

According to Great South's 2005-6 SID Manual (http://www.greatsouth.org/downloads/2005-06%20SID%20Manual.pdf)
and AtlantaSnews.com (http://atlantasnews.net/aggregator2/sources?from=30) that's her email.

Thanks...I've been looking for that:cool:

[BigKahuna]

Just sent letters to Stephen Pratten and Wendy Parker. Still trying to find an Arthur Blank link.

[AtlantaUnited]

I think Gwinnett, on I-85, would be a perfect location for a soccer stadium. Gwinnett has proven that it supports sports teams such as the Gladiators, and the Force when they played at the Gwinnett Civic Center. It is at the epicenter for youth soccer in metro Atlanta, real close to Cobb, Fulton, Cherokee, Forsyth, and DeKalb counties. Local high school teams like Parkview, Brookwood,and Duluth crank out good soccer teams year in and year out. It is near a large (and growing) latino community. Not to mention it is in a relatively safe neighboorhood. Building it near the Civic Center, would be an excellent location with easy access coming off of I-285 and right off satellite blvd. coming from alpharetta. The Fort Gillem idea isn't bad but it is a bit out in the middle of nowhere, having made many trips to the commissary there.

[Michael CM1]

I think Gwinnett, on I-85, would be a perfect location for a soccer stadium. Gwinnett has proven that it supports sports teams such as the Gladiators, and the Force when they played at the Gwinnett Civic Center. It is at the epicenter for youth soccer in metro Atlanta, real close to Cobb, Fulton, Cherokee, Forsyth, and DeKalb counties. Local high school teams like Parkview, Brookwood,and Duluth crank out good soccer teams year in and year out. It is near a large (and growing) latino community. Not to mention it is in a relatively safe neighboorhood. Building it near the Civic Center, would be an excellent location with easy access coming off of I-285 and right off satellite blvd. coming from alpharetta. The Fort Gillem idea isn't bad but it is a bit out in the middle of nowhere, having made many trips to the commissary there.

I'm not trying to sound condescending at all but have you heard of Silverbacks Stadium, now know as RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium? It's being built at Spaghetti Junction less than 5 minutes from Jimmy Carter Blvd. I had a great spot in mind years ago a little bit south of the Gwinnett Arena (just south of Harry's Farmer's Market) for all the same reasons. But this one looks to be nice. They aren't going to have a huge complex like FCD or the HDC but there are 3 rec fields and so far the management is catering to our little supporters group.

If you knew all this, nevermind. :)

[AtlantaUnited]

I'm not trying to sound condescending at all but have you heard of Silverbacks Stadium, now know as RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium? It's being built at Spaghetti Junction less than 5 minutes from Jimmy Carter Blvd. I had a great spot in mind years ago a little bit south of the Gwinnett Arena (just south of Harry's Farmer's Market) for all the same reasons. But this one looks to be nice. They aren't going to have a huge complex like FCD or the HDC but there are 3 rec fields and so far the management is catering to our little supporters group.

If you knew all this, nevermind. :)

No offense taken, I didn't know that.:D

[BigKahuna]

No offense taken, I didn't know that.:D

Awesome...must come as a pleasant surprise then:D