News

Flowery Branch jumps into Falcons sweepstakes

The Falcons get ready for games in the Hall County town of Flowery Branch. So why not play there?

That is the position of the mayor of Flowery Branch. He tells Channel 2 Action News if the Falcons ever decide to leave Atlanta, they shouldn’t have to go too far from their offices to play.

"If something didn't work out in the city of Atlanta, I figure why not the home of the Falcons? We have their training facilities here," said Mayor Mike Miller.

Miller says he will ask the City Council and city officials to consider making a formal bid for the location of a proposed new stadium for the Falcons.

In 1999, the Falcons opened a sprawling training facility in Flowery Branch.
 
"One of the things team officials have said, they have to transport equipment from Flowery Branch to the Georgia Dome. If you put the stadium right there, at their home complex, you would have everything in one facility," said Miller.

Miller admits that the lack of a mass transit connection in Flowery Branch won't help their chances. But he says there is plenty of cheap land that can be acquired quickly, the stadium would be near I-985 and many of the Falcons season ticket holders live north of Atlanta.
 
"If you look at other cities, the New York Jets and Giants play in New Jersey. With all the other teams that don't play in the heart of the city, why not Flowery Branch for the Falcons?" said Miller.

6,500 people live in Flowery Branch and a new stadium would be a major boom to the economy.
 
"Downtown Flowery Branch is completely deserted. It would bring in a lot of people. It's a great idea," said resident Diana Horn.
 
The mayor knows his idea is a long shot but likes to dream big.
 
"How cool would it be if the Superbowl were in Flowery Branch, Georgia?" said Miller.
 
The Falcons did not comment, but have said they will do everything they can to build the new stadium in downtown Atlanta.

Listen

news

weather

traffic

mobile apps

Everything you love about wsbradio.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!