Cobb County paying $302 million toward Braves new stadium (Atlanta: motel, neighborhood)

[cqholt]

Doesn't look like much of a mixed use district. Its just a new bridge, pedestrian bridge over 285, and a pedestrian plaza lined with retail. Where is the apartments, condos, office space, etc?
What will this area be the other days there isn't a game without residential in development. At least the plans submitted by developers for Turner Field's parking lots included residential.

[tikigod311]

I will admit, it looks nice.

But that doesn't really change anything. It still sucks. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Cameron H]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Doesn't look like much of a mixed use district. Its just a new bridge, pedestrian bridge over 285, and a pedestrian plaza lined with retail. Where is the apartments, condos, office space, etc?
What will this area be the other days there isn't a game without residential in development. At least the plans submitted by developers for Turner Field's parking lots included residential.

Read the linked article.

Phase one of the project would largely consist of retail, restaurants and a possible hotel, totaling between 700,000 square feet and one million square feet. That would be about the size of a metro Atlanta mall.

The second phase would include more residential options, such as apartments and condos, and potential offices. Plant said to expect the development to be stacked vertically rather than spread out across the fringes of the land.

It looks fantastic.

[onemanarmy]

It does look awesome, but there is a reason they are building the residential portion in phase 2. It aint happening.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Gulch

So you would have been okay with the CoA dipping into its general fund to bribe the Braves to stay at the Ted?

Not necessary.

Remember, the city got the stadium for free.

The Braves have already sunk another $130 million of their money into the facility and were willing to put in a lot more. ($200 million in Cobb). The Braves also wanted to privately finance a maglev train to the stadium, and to take the lead in developing the area around the stadium.

"At the Monday press briefing, the Braves said the fan enhancements would cost $200 million in addition to the $150 million in regular maintenance — $350 million over 20 years. By comparison, the Cobb stadium would cost $672 million, of which the Braves said they would contribute $200 million.

That means that if the City of Atlanta could come up with a revenue stream of between $5 million and $10 million a year for the maintenance of Turner Field, it could help bridge that gap."

More at What it would have taken for Atlanta to keep the Braves at Turner Field

The bottom line is that the city simply took the Braves for granted and dropped the ball. Nothing was too much for the Falcons, but the Braves couldn't even get a response.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by LynnHarris

The Atlanta Braves unveiled plans on Wednesday for the $400 million entertainment district that would spring up beside the new $672 million stadium that’s set to open in 2017.

The district, which is still in early planning phases, would feature a street lined with retail, restaurants and bars leading up to the stadium. A ring of trees and greenspace would surround the stadium and entertainment district, and a small amphitheater would be at the center of the development.

“No one in the country has ever built a brand new sports facility and created this kind of development at the same time,” Braves executive Mike Plant told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We believe this is the best example of a private-public partnership. And this has been a key part of this from day one.”

The $400 million would be entirely funded by the Braves and a potential development partner, which has not yet been selected.



Atlanta Braves plan $400 million entertainment district... | www.ajc.com

Wow!

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Not necessary.

Remember, the city got the stadium for free.

The Braves have already sunk another $130 million of their money into the facility and were willing to put in a lot more. ($200 million in Cobb). The Braves also wanted to privately finance a maglev train to the stadium, and to take the lead in developing the area around the stadium.

"At the Monday press briefing, the Braves said the fan enhancements would cost $200 million in addition to the $150 million in regular maintenance — $350 million over 20 years. By comparison, the Cobb stadium would cost $672 million, of which the Braves said they would contribute $200 million.

That means that if the City of Atlanta could come up with a revenue stream of between $5 million and $10 million a year for the maintenance of Turner Field, it could help bridge that gap."

More at What it would have taken for Atlanta to keep the Braves at Turner Field

The bottom line is that the city simply took the Braves for granted and dropped the ball. Nothing was too much for the Falcons, but the Braves couldn't even get a response.

You're still not answering where the City of Atlanta could have found $5-10 million per year without dipping into its general fund (or raise taxes). The Falcons at least have an existing revenue source (hotel/motel tax) that will be used for their new facility.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Gulch

You're still not answering where the City of Atlanta could have found $5-10 million per year without dipping into its general fund (or raise taxes). The Falcons at least have an existing revenue source (hotel/motel tax) that will be used for their new facility.

How about revenue bonds issued by the AFCRA, the FCDA or Invest Atlanta? How about using the stadium TAD? Or hitting up the downtown CID, like Cobb is doing? Add a parking surcharge? Or some combination of the above, and maybe negotiating a little with the Braves?

Also, how about using some of the hotel/motel tax like we're doing with the Falcons? As I understand it, 39.3% goes to the Dome or its successor facility; 32.14% goes to promoting tourism, conventions, etc.; and 28.56% is unrestricted.

[Craziaskowboi]

Nothing more (neo)conservative than corporate welfare.

[gerrythesnake]

Originally Posted by LynnHarris

The Atlanta Braves unveiled plans on Wednesday for the $400 million entertainment district that would spring up beside the new $672 million stadium that’s set to open in 2017.

The district, which is still in early planning phases, would feature a street lined with retail, restaurants and bars leading up to the stadium. A ring of trees and greenspace would surround the stadium and entertainment district, and a small amphitheater would be at the center of the development.

“No one in the country has ever built a brand new sports facility and created this kind of development at the same time,” Braves executive Mike Plant told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We believe this is the best example of a private-public partnership. And this has been a key part of this from day one.”

The $400 million would be entirely funded by the Braves and a potential development partner, which has not yet been selected.



Atlanta Braves plan $400 million entertainment district... | www.ajc.com