Call it Act Three in the storied history of Turner Field: Today the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority announced it would negotiate the sale of the Atlanta Braves home to a developer and Georgia State University, who will convert the facility to a football stadium.
It’s the outcome most expected after the authority announced it was soliciting bids for Turner Field after the Atlanta Braves announced a move to a new Cobb County ballpark in 2017. Only three bids were received, and only one had any discernible financial backing: the Georgia State/Carter bid. Their proposal entails development at the site along with a reconfiguration of the ballpark, which opened in 1996 as the Olympic Stadium. It was renovated post-games for use by the Braves and is located next to the site of the team’s original Atlanta home, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
“After a (thorough) review of all the proposals, including in person presentations, the Board of the City of Atlanta and Fulton County Recreation Authority has a preferred bidder and will commence negotiations immediately,” board chairman William K Whitner said via press release. “We will move forward expeditiously to ensure that we make meaningful progress toward determining the future of this historic neighborhood. AFCRA has been a long-time partner in this community and we fully appreciate the importance of negotiating with a developer that will have the community’s interest foremost in mind.”
This doesn’t mean anything is final; negotiations over the final deal will begin. But it seems to be the outcome many, including the residents of the neighboring area, want.
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