COMMERCIALIZATION

COMMERCIALIZATION: The process of managing or running something principally for financial gain.

CLOSER LOOK INTO THE DESIGN

TRANSCRIPT FOR THE INTERVIEW

Q: Where did the inspiration for the design of the roof come from?
A: It features a retractable roof in the shape of a camera lens, which can be opened in less than ten minutes. The design of the roof was inspired by the shape of a falcon’s wing which is evidently a reference to the Atlanta Falcons. It provides a radical departure from the kinetic roofs of other sports facilities.

Q: What purpose does this design serve and could you provide a little more information regarding the process of the retraction?
A: The roof opens to allow natural sunlight to enter the stadium and closes to protect players and the audience during adverse weather conditions, and it really is just a unique design (the roof opens by the movement of eight triangular panels that slide open in a straight line).

Q: Are there any special features or characteristics of the stadium in general that most people may not know?
A: The stadium features digital media platforms that include the world’s largest 360° HD video halo board, which provides targeted programmable content to fans.

Q: In addition to serving as an anchor for the downtown tourist and entertainment district, how will the stadium catalyze changes in neighborhoods surrounding the development?
A: The project team’s focus on sustainable design, construction and operations that extends into the community through the creation of urban farming and open recreation spaces.

"WE SET A GOAL OF ACHIEVING THE HIGHEST LEED RATING BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR OUR CITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND WITH THIS ACHIEVEMENT, WE HAVE A POWERFUL NEW PLATFORM TO SHOWCASE TO THE INDUSTRY AND TO OUR FANS THAT BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IS POSSIBLE..." - ARTHUR BLANK

"IF WE ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL IN TRANSFORMING THE WESTSIDE COMMUNITIES AROUND THE STADIUM, THIS PROJECT WILL BE A FAILURE."- ARTHUR BLANK

CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY

NEIGHBORHOODS

In the past, other stadiums and arenas in Atlanta have not been very promising towards strengthening the poor, black surrounding neighborhoods which make up a large area. So Arthur Blank, owner of both the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United teams, vowed that the Mercedes-Benz Stadium would make up for this. Together, Blank and Invest Atlanta have committed $45 million towards revitalizing the neighborhoods. These neighborhoods include Vine City, English Avenue, Ashview Heights, and along the Beltline's Westside Trail. English Avenue and Vine City are full of abandoned and boarded-up homes which attracts the wrong crowd of citizens and pushes away citizens seeking for a job or housing.

IMPACT

This impact is a two-decade long effort that will eventually reach the end goal. However the impact is already in place, as we can see through Santecia Bynum. She was selected to purchase a Habitat for Humanity home and picked very close to the stadium. Volunteers through the stadium related services, fixed up the home where Bynum will raise her daughter. She stated that, "people are coming together more, sticking together and being involved in the community. It wasn’t long ago that “people were scared to come by” but now there are even Airbnbs."

SUSTAINABILITY

The stadium's sustainability partner is Georgia Power. This company is the reason the Mercedes-Benz Stadium has efficient lighting (the stadium's LED lighting last 10 times longer than standard lights and reduces energy usage by as much as 60 percent), great water conservation (the high water management system allows for a capacity to store over 2,000,000 gallons of storm water which helps prevent flooding in the neighboring areas) and alternative transportation (a bike valet service on event days and 3 Marta rail lines) which all allow for connectivity within the neighboring communities . The neighborhoods have seen the construction of two parks (Rodney Cook Sr. Park and Boone Park West) which will serve as community spaces while combating drainage and flooding problems in the area. They were also added to fill up the needed green space and increase the livability. The stadium is being used as a lever to connect people to economic opportunity and stability.

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