AMB Group CEO Steve Cannon said that the retractable roof at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be in the "closed position" when venue debuts next month, and will remain closed for an "undetermined period of time beyond that," according to Tim Tucker of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Cannon said that he "could not provide specifics on when the first event might be played with the roof open." He only noted that it would be opened "at some point" during the '17 season for the Falcons and Atlanta United. Cannon said that it "typically takes 40 days to 'mechanize' such a roof after its last '[construction] move.'" Since three such moves are "scheduled in the coming weeks, the 40-day clock won’t even begin until after those moves." Cannon indicated the process "could take longer than 40 days because it will be sandwiched around a heavy schedule of events in the stadium" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 7/26). Tucker notes the "one-of-a-kind retractable roof is designed to open or close in approximately 12 minutes with eight steel panels -- called petals -- moving in unison." Cannon's timeline would indicate the roof "won’t be fully operable until well into October at the earliest and perhaps later" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 7/26).
REMAIN CALM: In Atlanta, Jeff Schultz noted the suits are "not panicking" yet. Falcons President & CEO Rich McKay, echoing Owner Arthur Blank's comments in recent months, said, "We’re building this project for 30 to 50 years. Let’s not concern ourselves with the first 30 days." But Schultz wrote, "I like Rich. But I’m not sure what was funnier in that quote: His reference to '30 days' of a stadium’s roof functionality that will have been delayed at least six months, or the reference to '30 to 50 years' as his projected lifespan for a sports facility in the city of Atlanta, where the motto is, 'If it’s a little dusty, knock it down'" (AJC.com, 7/25).
A LOOK AROUND: Schultz took part in a media tour of the new stadium and wrote the halo video board is "unbelievably impressive." Another "cool feature" was an "entire wall of helmets representing Georgia high school football teams, with pictures of former stars from the state." Schultz also noted fans will be able to "view players through the glass as they walk toward the field and the locker room" (AJC.com, 7/25). Mercedes-Benz Stadium GM Scott Jenkins said, "We're feeling great about where we are." The process of "installing the field" began yesterday, "earlier than expected." That process is "expected to be completed by Aug. 5, if not sooner" (ESPN.com, 7/25).
