DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County could become the new home of Atlanta's new Major League Soccer team, but only if county officials quickly approve a new deal with team owner Arthur Blank.
Channel Two Action News obtained the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between DeKalb County and Atlanta United FC. Under the proposed deal, Blank would put the team's headquarters and practice facilities on a 40-acre lot located at the corner of Memorial Drive and Kensington Road near the county jail.
Under the proposal, DeKalb County would spend between $3 million and $5 million to prep the land for construction. It would also pay Blank's team $7 million over three years and would exempt the team from ever paying property taxes. In addition, the county would agree to build a pedestrian bridge from the Kensington MARTA station over Memorial Drive to the site.
In return, Blank would agree to build the team headquarters there, along with a 3,500-seat stadium and practice fields. He would also build a new facility for the county's Parks and Recreation Department. Blank would also agree never to leave the site unless the county somehow defaults on its responsibilities. The team will play its actual home games at the new stadium in Downtown Atlanta.
In a statement, DeKalb County CEO Lee May's spokesperson said, "Our discussions have been positive and cooperative, and we are encouraged and excited by their interest to potentially become a part of the future of Downtown DeKalb and the revitalization of Memorial Drive."
Commissioner Nancy Jester said she doesn't oppose the deal but is not ready to vote for it either. She still has questions about the funding mechanisms and if the soccer bang is worth the taxpayer bucks.
"While I understand it will be a lovely facility, I'm concerned about what are the economic impacts," said Jester. "What economic benefits will it actually bring to DeKalb County and to that area?"
Atlanta United FC is also reportedly looking at a shovel-ready site somewhere in Cobb County, and team officials stressed to DeKalb County that it must approve the deal very quickly, perhaps by next week, or it will choose the Cobb County site.