Exclusive: Documents reveal Braves wish list for Turner Field

[stillinthesouth]

Originally Posted by DTL3000

I don't know why the City of Atlanta and the Braves couldn't get it together and make something happen in the area around the stadium after decades of issues. I look at the Washington Nationals as just one example of what happens when things go right. There is tons of development springing up around, and because of, the stadium. It's roughly the same distance as Turner Field is from major employers. Wouldn't the city prefer a mid-rise development with some residences and retail over parking lots?

I am very disappointed in the Braves for turning their backs on tradition and a little upset that the City will be tearing the stadium down after they move(they really have no other option). But I won't hesitate to call city leadership lazy and unimaginative for letting it come to this either. A lot of very poor decisions have been made in the last few years regarding Atlanta sports.Just when you think it couldn't get any worse...

Good points. I wasn't here in Atlanta during the Olympics, but my feeling has been that the city missed a huge opportunity to create a mixed-use development in the area back then. Look at London - the Olympics were the catalyst for a huge shopping center, Westford Stratford City, developed adjacent to their Olympic park which is part of a larger effort to revitalize the lower-income area around it. (I know London is in a whole different league from Atlanta, but even some modest development around the stadium would have been a good start).

All these years later, no development has taken shape at Turner Field. It's only a mile or so from the CBD, but it might as well be 20 miles away given how isolated it feels.

"A lot of very poor decisions have been made in the last few years regarding Atlanta sports. Just when you think it couldn't get any worse.."

Wait, I can see it coming... the new baseball stadium will be a dome!

[noah]

Well in Cobb the Braves will own the entire restaurant and bar district they are building so they will control the revenues 100%. This was important to them since they have about the worst tv contract in baseball.

Originally Posted by WmMeeker

Funny thing is that I have not heard of like demands made of Cobb.

[Ant131531]

I don't blame them. Most ballparks are surrounded by dense urban neighborhoods. Wrigley Park in Chicago is an example and that's 4-5 miles North of downtown. Turner Field is literally a 1 mile away and nothing is around the stadium. It's pathetic.

[cqholt]

Good points. I wasn't here in Atlanta during the Olympics, but my feeling has been that the city missed a huge opportunity to create a mixed-use development in the area back then. Look at London - the Olympics were the catalyst for a huge shopping center, Westford Stratford City, developed adjacent to their Olympic park which is part of a larger effort to revitalize the lower-income area around it. (I know London is in a whole different league from Atlanta, but even some modest development around the stadium would have been a good start).

In 1996 the thought of dense, mixed-use, walkable urban environments was not strong. This was the decade of explosive suburban growth.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by Ant131531

I don't blame them. Most ballparks are surrounded by dense urban neighborhoods. Wrigley Park in Chicago is an example and that's 4-5 miles North of downtown. Turner Field is literally a 1 mile away and nothing is around the stadium. It's pathetic.

So the answer is to move to an even more suburban area?