Dome is Gone but Not Forgotten
A new marker for the Georgia Dome explains history behind the building.
One of the most heavily-funded construction projects in the state now has a historical marker.
The Georgia Dome became the newest member of the Georgia Historical Society’s Business History Initiative when a plaque was installed at the Home Depot Back Yard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The dome, precursor to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, was built for $214 million in August 1992 and imploded this past November. Operated by AMB Group, the dome was home to the Atlanta Falcons for 25 seasons, the 1996 Olympic Games and countless college basketball games and concerts.
The stadium received a $300 million facelift in 2006. In 2008, when a tornado ripped through downtown Atlanta, the dome suffered holes in its roof during the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament game between Alabama and Mississippi State.
According to the historical marker, “The stadium hosted some of the world’s most prestigious sporting and entertainment events, welcoming more than 37 million guests and generating an economic impact of $7 billion dollars.”
“From its beginnings as an architectural marvel, to its role as a host site during the 1996 Olympic Games and the home of the Atlanta Falcons for 25 seasons, the Georgia Dome’s legacy will be ensured for future generations through this new historical marker,” said W. Todd Groce, president and CEO of Georgia Historical Society.
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