Dome in the City is Hoping to Put the Air Back in the Unique Event Center

The Board of Zoning Adjustment will hear the appeal on the 495 Foundry Street NW, Atlanta site during their meeting scheduled for November 4. The Board will need to determine whether the administrative directive issued by Atlanta’s Interim Chief Combination Inspector was appropriate or if Atlanta Air Dome (aka Dome in the City) can resume business and allow people to enter the facility lawfully.

According to City documents, a building permit was issued to construct a temporary prefabricated air dome on November 16, 2020. One month later, the City of Atlanta Office of Buildings issued a Certificate of Occupancy for the structure. In addition, alcoholic beverage licenses were approved in January 2021. City inspection reports completed in conjunction with the approvals by the Atlanta Office of Buildings and the Atlanta Fire Rescue stated that the site was in compliance with building, zoning, and fire codes, along with the approved plans submitted to the City.

During a building inspection of the site last month, multiple life safety code violations were discovered, resulting in the site’s Certificate of Occupancy revocation. This action immediately prohibits any occupation of the facility until code and life safety violations are resolved.

A September 3^rd letter from the Office of Buildings based the revocation on the following issues:

• The original building permit was issued for a temporary structure, having a permit life of 180 days, regardless of any special permit approvals. A renewed building permit application is required for temporary buildings exceeding six months.
• The structure must be a permitted permanent structure if operated beyond the initial six months.
• The current mechanical plans that maintain the Dome’s inflation have not been reviewed, approved, or permitted.
• Results on the emergency egress door forces or pressure differential have not been provided.
• The approved material construction type differs from the actual material constructed, which is not made of non-combustible material.
• Original plans excluded an automatic sprinkler system.
• A barbed-wire security fence was constructed without permit approval.

According to The Dome in the City website, the enclosed event center is a temperature-controlled, transient venue used for concerts, weddings, and tradeshows. The capacity of the facility ranges from 3,000 to 7,500 people.

Dome in the City differentiates itself from other event centers with its digital display capabilities, providing a decorative backdrop within the Dome’s interior.