Monday, March 18, 2013

ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta City Council has voted to approve a financing plan to build a new pro football stadium in downtown Atlanta.

The council voted 11-4 on Monday to approve using city hotel-motel tax revenue to cover the $200 million public contribution for the proposed $1 billion, retractable roof stadium for the Atlanta Falcons. The team would provide $800 million.

The board of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority voted unanimously Friday to move forward with the stadium plan, entering into an agreement with the city and the Falcons.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Falcons owner Arthur Blank agreed this month to financing terms of the project, which would replace the 20-year-old Georgia Dome. The new stadium would be built near the current dome. Officials hope to build the stadium in time for the 2017 NFL season.

(Copyright 2013, The Associated Press)