Historic Church Rejects Offer For Falcons’ Stadium Site

ATLANTA (AP) – One of two historic Atlanta churches near the site of a proposed new NFL stadium has rejected the city’s initial offer for its land.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed tells WXIA-TV that the city offered $13.5 million, but the Friendship Baptist Church countered with $24.5 million.

Reed said the city couldn’t afford that, but is now offering $15.5 million.

Church leaders declined to talk about the negotiations.

The state is handling negotiations with Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, across the street from Friendship and closer to the site of the proposed stadium. It would be built south of the Georgia Dome.

Officials have said that if they can’t reach agreements with the churches, they will build the stadium on another site, north of the Georgia Dome.