Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, love it, or leave it

A controversy has been brewing ever since it was announced that Atlanta Fulton County Stadium would be torn down soon after the Olympic games to make way for a 2100 space parking lot. Built in 1966, comparisons to Wrigley Field and Fenway Park, which just keep "chuggin and jivin along" are tempting to make. We spoke recently to Cecil Alexander whose firm, Finch/Heery designed the stadium as well as a series of multi-use stadiums, including Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Cincinnatiís Riverfront Stadium and the Patriots home in Foxboro, Mass.

Knowing that Cecil has been leading a charge to save the stadium, we asked him why it should not be torn down. Cecil said that the main reason the neighborhood objected to having two stadiums remain was the anticipated additional traffic. Mr. Alexander, currently head of the Atlanta office of Omaha- based Leo E. Daley, Architects, explained a number of interesting uses for the old stadium which his office is promoting. Cecil would like the city fathers to consider a number of the following options which his firm has shown could be viable. Build a parking deck just south of the new Olympic Stadium which would hold 2100 cars. Use the concourse of the old stadium to house day care centers, a gymnasium, senior citizen complex, teen center and other community-related ventures. Construct a tower in the center of the field from which to suspend a roof. Turn the interior space into an exhibition hall which could house a museum of transportation and railroading, an exhibit of great world cities, a museum of sports or any number of exciting attractions which could draw local residents and visitors alike. Cecil noted that Bob Hope, who was PR director for the Atlanta Braves for many years, suggested that the interior of the stadium could become a world center for female athletes or that the field could be converted to soccer and track.

Bottom line is that these conversion ideas plus parking decks would be about the same cost as demolition plus paving a 2100 car parking lot. What would you rather have in your neighborhood?

Olympic Stadium

Olympic Park ... Stadiums ... Dining Hall ... Pedestrian Bridge ... World Events ... The Atlanta Star ... The Wall Came Down