Atlanta Braves moving? (Marietta, Smyrna: transferring to, cost, buses)

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by arjay57

This was a decision by a private company, not a planning agency.

The impact by said private company will affect a huge chunk of public infrastructure.

[gerrythesnake]

The Braves will be back in downtown Atlanta by 2037

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Gulch

The impact by said private company will affect a huge chunk of public infrastructure.

True. Nonetheless, the decision to move wasn't made by a planning agency.

I do agree that the COA's failure/refusal to get off the dime in redeveloping the area around the Ted was a major factor in the Braves' decision making process.

In the city's defense, doing anything to disrupt the neighborhoods around the stadium would have been politically unpopular among some residents. This was an election year, and most council members and the mayor were probably unwilling to wade into that thicket.

[jsvh]

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed promises enormous middle-class... | www.ajc.com

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said “one of the largest developments for middle-class people that the city has ever had” will go up at the site of Turner Field after the Atlanta Braves move to Cobb.

In his first public remarks since the MLB franchise spurned Atlanta, Reed vowed Tuesday he would “not leave a vacant Ted” and said the facility would be torn down. He also said he would not try to interfere with Cobb’s deal, but said he wanted to make the “unmistakable message” that the city wants the team to remain.

If the deal succeeds, he said, he’s not worried about his legacy, promising a “significant” announcement that will prove he made the right long-term decision for the region.

“We’re not walking around here moping. I hate losing. But there are times when other people make plays,” he said, adding: “We’re not losing anything. The Braves are still in the region so I don’t feel like this is a loss.”
Reed said the Braves asked for between $150 million and $250 million for infrastructure improvements for the team to remain downtown. He said that would have left the city “absolutely cash-strapped” and unable to chip away at a nearly $1 billion infrastructure backlog.

“Atlanta is not that liberal with our spending,” said the mayor.

He also addressed criticism that he focused too much on keeping the Falcons downtown while the Braves quietly negotiated a path to the ‘burbs.

“I fundamentally believe that people elect leaders to win for them. And so I certainly wanted the Atlanta Braves to stay in the city of Atlanta,” Reed said. “But I want to be very clear: There’s not a difference in treatment between the deal we negotiated with the Falcons and the Braves.”

Reed said the Braves made “very aggressive” demands from the city. He also said there was “absolute fatigue” from city councilmembers about backing a second stadium with more tax dollars.

And all eyes will soon turn to the Nov. 26 Cobb County Commission meeting, where Lee intends to ask commissioners to give final approval to whatever plan he and his allies develop. Voters are already demanding more details on how their tax dollars could be spent.

Fresh off his own lengthy City Hall fight to secure $200 million to help build the Falcons stadium, Reed had this message for Cobb’s commissioners:
“I just lived it. Welcome to the club, baby.”

[cqholt]

At least Turner Field offered an alternative to driving. The proposed location offers no such option. All visitors will be forced to drive. That excuse about better transportation at the proposed location is BS.

I do agree that the COA's failure/refusal to get off the dime in redeveloping the area around the Ted was a major factor in the Braves' decision making process.

All the city can do is rezone the area, provide infrastructure, and tax incentives to developers. Unfortunately the stadium was built at a time when it was popular to surround stadiums with parking. And then the recession hit in 2008, drying up a lot money for borrowing. Obviously, there was interest from developers to redevelop the parking lots, the Braves aren't giving the area enough time.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by cqholt

At least Turner Field offered an alternative to driving. The proposed location offers no such option. All visitors will be forced to drive. That excuse about better transportation at the proposed location is BS.

All the city can do is rezone the area, provide infrastructure, and tax incentives to developers. Unfortunately the stadium was built at a time when it was popular to surround stadiums with parking. And then the recession hit in 2008, drying up a lot money for borrowing. Obviously, there was interest from developers to redevelop the parking lots, the Braves aren't giving the area enough time.

I imagine that the Braves' owners think that 1997 - 2013 has been plenty of time. Sure seems like it has been to me.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

I imagine that the Braves' owners think that 1997 - 2013 has been plenty of time. Sure seems like it has been to me.

But, in the 90's it wasn't the trend to build dense, mixed-use developments here in the south. The school of thought was still, that people will drive and need a place to park and tailgate.

[residinghere2007]

Originally Posted by atler8

Grant Park & Summerhill may possibly feel general relief over such a move.

I was wondering about this.

Honestly, I see this for a plus for both neighborhoods, especially Summerhill, which was damaged by the building of the original Fulton County Stadium and again by Turner Field.

I mentioned in another thread that the City of Atlanta usually does not develop in a way that benefits residents. This move by the Braves gives the city and Invest Atlanta 4 years to make a plan and begin to implement said plan. All residents of Summer Hill and Grant Park, I encourage you to make your voices known regarding the types of developments you would like to see in your area. The removal of the parking lots especially would be a plus and the fact that taking away this stadium and adjacent lots will further open up the area to Downtown Atlanta.

Personally, I feel bad for the residents of Cobb in regards to the construction of the stadium. I do hope Cobb will include a MARTA expansion to Cumberland to assist with those game goers that do want to take adequate transit. I don't see a "bus loop" as being enough to help commuters reach games and taking them home, especially from CCT. Do they run buses on Sundays now? When I lived in Smyrna years ago they didn't and they had limited holiday service. I actually lived near 75/285 where they will build the new ball park and traffic was horrible every day there, which prompted our move to the city.

Baseball has a LOT of games, more than any other sport in this area and I just feel bad for the residents of Cobb and especially people who live in the vicinity of the 75/285 area.

I hope Reed can spur some good residential and mixed used development in the Summer Hill and Grant Park areas especially. I can only imagine what could be done with the area, something especially that highlights the history of baseball in the area and the Olympics would be great considering there is really nothing over there that shows off Atlanta's Olympic past.

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by cqholt

But, in the 90's it wasn't the trend to build dense, mixed-use developments here in the south. The school of thought was still, that people will drive and need a place to park and tailgate.

Looking at what may happen with the Falcon's, I think that school of thought is still alive and well.

[gerrythesnake]

Originally Posted by residinghere2007

I was wondering about this.

Honestly, I see this for a plus for both neighborhoods, especially Summerhill, which was damaged by the building of the original Fulton County Stadium and again by Turner Field.

I mentioned in another thread that the City of Atlanta usually does not develop in a way that benefits residents. This move by the Braves gives the city and Invest Atlanta 4 years to make a plan and begin to implement said plan. All residents of Summer Hill and Grant Park, I encourage you to make your voices known regarding the types of developments you would like to see in your area. The removal of the parking lots especially would be a plus and the fact that taking away this stadium and adjacent lots will further open up the area to Downtown Atlanta.

Personally, I feel bad for the residents of Cobb in regards to the construction of the stadium. I do hope Cobb will include a MARTA expansion to Cumberland to assist with those game goers that do want to take adequate transit. I don't see a "bus loop" as being enough to help commuters reach games and taking them home, especially from CCT. Do they run buses on Sundays now? When I lived in Smyrna years ago they didn't and they had limited holiday service. I actually lived near 75/285 where they will build the new ball park and traffic was horrible every day there, which prompted our move to the city.

Baseball has a LOT of games, more than any other sport in this area and I just feel bad for the residents of Cobb and especially people who live in the vicinity of the 75/285 area.

I hope Reed can spur some good residential and mixed used development in the Summer Hill and Grant Park areas especially. I can only imagine what could be done with the area, something especially that highlights the history of baseball in the area and the Olympics would be great considering there is really nothing over there that shows off Atlanta's Olympic past.

I feel bad for the people who have to commute anywhere near 75/285 during the afternoon on game day