State approves firm to design new Atlanta stadium

ATLANTA -- State officials have approved an agreement with the firm that will design a new $1 billion retractable-roof stadium in downtown Atlanta.

The Georgia World Congress Center Authority agreed to a maximum $35 million design fee for 360 Architecture, which is based in Kansas City, Mo. The firm was one of five finalists and had previously been announced as the intended winner of the contract. The group of architects previously designed the new stadium shared by the NFL's New York Jets and the New York Giants.

Bill Johnson, the firm's top architect, showed two design concepts to the authority's governing board, but says nothing is final.

The estimated $1 billion stadium will be built with $200 million from public bonds, with the rest coming from Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank.