Bloomberg Businessweek: The Braves Play Taxpayers Better Than They Play Baseball (Atlanta: neighborhood, vs.)

[cqholt]

So I remember being in a meeting when the issue of gypsy lots and parking was discussed. The Braves are trying to prevent the uncontrolled gypsy lots found around Turner Field, at STP because if a visitor is a victim of a crime they tie that crime to happening at a Braves game (not a gypsy lot) and therefore gives a bad image to the team. What the Braves people proposed in the meeting was to issue licenses or permits and using part of the money generated from those fees to pay for patrolling of the gypsy lots. The Braves people did acknowledge that gypsy lots would be a part of STP parking plan, as the stadium only provides 6000 spaces and is in neg. with other lots at private property. This takes the issues raised in the meetings to a whole other level that I am shocked at because I thought the permit and license was a reasonable idea.
And they say conservatives and republicans are for smaller government and less regulations.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by cqholt

So I remember being in a meeting when the issue of gypsy lots and parking was discussed. The Braves are trying to prevent the uncontrolled gypsy lots found around Turner Field, at STP because if a visitor is a victim of a crime they tie that crime to happening at a Braves game (not a gypsy lot) and therefore gives a bad image to the team. What the Braves people proposed in the meeting was to issue licenses or permits and using part of the money generated from those fees to pay for patrolling of the gypsy lots. The Braves people did acknowledge that gypsy lots would be a part of STP parking plan, as the stadium only provides 6000 spaces and is in neg. with other lots at private property. This takes the issues raised in the meetings to a whole other level that I am shocked at because I thought the permit and license was a reasonable idea.
And they say conservatives and republicans are for smaller government and less regulations.

Can't outlaw tailgating in your own lots in an effort to drive spending at your arts/entertainment district, then have it be be allowed in gypsy lots across the street.

[Mossberg]

Wow. This STP boondoggle gets better and better. The Braves want ALL the parking revenue, period. I bet the "leases" they "negotiate" with some of these lot owners will be far less than what the owners could make leaving the Braves out of the picture.

Cobb is incredibly shady for even entertaining this let alone passing an ordinance on it. This is another revenue funnel that they gave directly to the Braves.

There are other ways to control gypsy lots and safety (the main reason given) that don't involve banning owners from profiting from their lots. This is clearly about the Braves monopolizing the parking revenue.

I bet that all of those owners within the half mile radius who appeal will be denied for some petty reason. But the Braves will be happy to "lease" those same lots from them for bottom dollar.

I feel bad for Cobb residents right now and am sure glad I'm not one.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cqholt

So I remember being in a meeting when the issue of gypsy lots and parking was discussed. The Braves are trying to prevent the uncontrolled gypsy lots found around Turner Field, at STP because if a visitor is a victim of a crime they tie that crime to happening at a Braves game (not a gypsy lot) and therefore gives a bad image to the team. What the Braves people proposed in the meeting was to issue licenses or permits and using part of the money generated from those fees to pay for patrolling of the gypsy lots. The Braves people did acknowledge that gypsy lots would be a part of STP parking plan, as the stadium only provides 6000 spaces and is in neg. with other lots at private property. This takes the issues raised in the meetings to a whole other level that I am shocked at because I thought the permit and license was a reasonable idea.

Sounds like Cobb needs to go back to the drawing board with this ordinance.

[Hokiehaven]

What BS, the Braves are such crooks its ridiculous and the Cobb board lets them do it freely.

If I own a lot near the stadium I say screw Cobb and the Braves and don't negotiate till this thing blows up in their face after it opens. Clearly trying to strong arm locals for the parking they lack and make money any way possible.

[arjay57]

Tim Lee responds to critics.

You really can't blame the man for doing what he believed was right for Cobb.

If the shoe was on the other foot and the city had lured the Braves in from Cobb or some other place people would be doing backflips.


COBB CHAIRMAN LEE: I'D HAVE DONE NOTHING DIFFERENT TO LURE BRAVES

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Tim Lee responds to critics.

You really can't blame the man for doing what he believed was right for Cobb.

If the shoe was on the other foot and the city had lured the Braves in from Cobb or some other place people would be doing backflips.


COBB CHAIRMAN LEE: I'D HAVE DONE NOTHING DIFFERENT TO LURE BRAVES

What's right for Cobb or what's profitable for him and a few developers?

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by arjay57

If the shoe was on the other foot and the city had lured the Braves in from Cobb or some other place people would be doing backflips.

You keep claiming this, but few in the city are thrilled about the new Benz stadium deal, and that is a much better deal for about half the tax dollars, all from hotels, for a much grander major-international-event-drawing stadium.

There is good reason Reed said the city cannot beat the amount of tax dollars Cobb is offering and let the team go. It is a really terrible deal for taxpayers and will not bring any net benefit to the area like other stadiums.

[rcsteiner]

Braves expect ‘gypsy lots’ at SunTrust Park, plan to integrate into traffic management plan

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Braves expect ‘gypsy lots’ at SunTrust Park, plan to integrate into traffic management plan

Did they just contradict what the ordinance the County Commissioners just pass?