The Atlanta Braves are planning a new stadium, opening in 2017, in suburban Cobb County. How much residual development investment should local stakeholders expect?
The taxpayers of Cobb County will pay $300 million to help finance a new baseball stadium for the Atlanta Braves, but the hope is that the investment will return more than regular attendance to games. “Supporters of a new Atlanta Braves stadium in Cobb County say it will be an economic home run, the centerpiece of a massive mixed-use entertainment district…”
To examine the claim that the new stadium will be an economic boom for Cobb County, Dan Klepal and David Wickert examine a related suburban case study provided by the team’s AAA affiliate, which promised similar development benefits when building a stadium in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, in 2009.
“Nearly five years after it opened, Coolray Field still isn’t generating enough revenue to pay for itself, as county officials said it would. Plans for development at the stadium have become ensnared in litigation and, for the most part, haven’t materialized. And attendance at Gwinnett Braves games is among the worst in the International League.”
In addition to the minor leagues being a far cry from the big leagues, there are reasons to expect better results from the Cobb County stadium: “the Braves will own the property around the stadium and will have a vested interest in developing it.”
The Braves also announced this week that they are negotiating a contract with Populous, designer of 19 of the 30 current major league stadiums, to design the new $672 million stadium.
FULL STORY: Last suburban stadium didn’t live up to promises
So Long, Atlanta Braves (Don't Let the Door Hit You on the Way Out)
A columnist absolutely eviscerates the Atlanta Braves organization as it plays its final game in Turner Field in Atlanta. The team is departing the city for a new suburban stadium in Cobb County.
New Bus Circulator Approved to Deliver Fans to New Atlanta Braves Ballpark
The Atlanta Braves are decamping for the suburbs this spring.
Criticism Over Special Parking Arrangements for New Atlanta Braves Stadium
Cobb County, Georgia recently approved the "Accessory Special Event Parking" ordinance to limit parking operations around the Atlanta Braves' new stadium.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)