A proposed deal for practice soccer fields and a corporate HQ for MLS expansion club Atlanta United FC "would cost DeKalb County" an estimated $12M, "41 acres of government land and tax considerations," according to Mark Niesse of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. In exchange for the $30M soccer complex, the club "would build a 3,500-seat stadium, three outdoor practice fields and a corporate headquarters." Additional fields and an indoor training facility "could be built later." Ownership of the land and facilities "would revert to the county after 30 years." The proposed agreement "is scheduled for a vote of the DeKalb Commission on Tuesday." The $12M contribution from the county includes an estimated $7M paid to team Owner Arthur Blank "so the county could locate its parks department in new offices in the stadium." Another estimated $5M "would be required for demolition and land preparation." Blank would pay the county 15% "of revenue for naming rights and branded events held at the complex" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 7/30). Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin said that part of his city's offer to the MLS club "included a 30-year lease of 49 acres the city owns" with an "initial rent of a $1 a year for five years and then fair market value priced rent for the remainder." He added that "no out-of-pocket money was offered" (MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL, 7/30).
