ATLANTA -- The estimated cost of a new stadium for the Falcons just keeps going up. Now, Mayor Kasim Reed thinks it could cost a quarter of a billion dollars more than what has been previously estimated.
Mayor Reed believes needed improvements around a new stadium site could add another $250 million. Those improvements would include sidewalks, roads and other amenities.
The estimated cost of a retractable roof stadium has been pegged at $948 million and with added improvements, the price tag could be as high as $1.2 billion. Two locations are being proposed; one north of the Georgia Dome and one immediately south.
Mayor Reed has suggested the City could launch a bond to help pay for surrounding infrastructure. However, there is still a lot of opposition to public money being used.
In March, an 11Alive News survey showed 74 percent opposed using taxpayer money for a new stadium and just last month, State Representative Mike Dudgeon (R - Johns Creek) said that he would try to block any state money from going into the project.
"I oppose this because I don't think it's the appropriate use of taxpayer money to finance stadiums for the NFL and for the Falcons," he said.