Opening Day

Mercedes-Benz Stadium opens to the public

Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United fans got a sneak peek at MercedesBenz Stadium on Aug. 19 ahead of opening day on Aug. 26. Team owner Arthur Blank, Gov. Nathan Deal and Mayor Kasim Reed also held a news conference at the stadium to celebrate the opening. Blank commented: “We think we built the finest sports entertainment complex in the United States.” With its massive retractable roof (closed now as testing continues, but expected to open as weather permits) and the largest video monitor (58 feet tall, 1,100 feet in the round), the $1.5 billion, 83,000 capacity stadium will host the first Atlanta United match on Sept. 10. Country superstar Garth Brooks will test the venue’s concert readiness with a sold out show on Oct. 12.

Downtown Master Plan draft to be unveiled Sept. 13

A draft of the new Downtown Atlanta Master Plan will be presented at a public open house on Sept. 13 at the Central Atlanta Library.

The event will run 3 to 7 p.m. with a recorded presentation to be shown every half hour, starting at 3 p.m., for those unable to attend a 5:30 p.m. presentation.

Using the input provided by the community earlier in the year through an online survey, one-on-one meetings and open house events, the Downtown Atlanta Master Plan team has identified projects, programs and policies to help revitalize the city’s core.

As one of the final public meetings of the Downtown Atlanta Master Plan effort, the Sept. 13 event will give residents and stakeholders the opportunity to provide input at public feedback stations.

For more information, visit planDowntownATL.com.