The Atlanta Braves are building a new stadium to be used starting with the 2017 season. The new field will be on 60 acres, 15 of which will be used for the stadium itself. It will have a capacity of about 42,000 people, compared with 50,000 currently at Turner Field. The cost of the new stadium is estimated at $672 million.

Braves management says that the reason for this move is threefold. First, Turner field currently needs about $150 million in standard upgrades, such as replacing old seats. Second, the lease on Turner Field expires in 2016. Third, and perhaps most important, is location. The Braves will build the new stadium at the juncture of I-285 and I-75 in Cobb County, near the Cobb Galleria. Not only will this make the stadium more accessible to traffic, it will place the stadium closer to the geographic center of the Braves fan-base.

Additionally, the new location will be surrounded by mixed use land, providing fans with a more complete experience. The idea is to surround the field with restaurants and vitality, so that fans have more options on how to spend the day. Cobb County will provide some funding for the new venture. However, the details have not been released.

 

Additional Resources

ABC News, Braves to Build Stadium That Opens in 2017: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/braves-build-stadium-opens-2017-20850576

Home of the Braves, A new Home: http://homeofthebraves.com/

WSB Radio, Braves Plan to Build New Stadium in Cobb: http://www.wsbradio.com/news/sports/baseball/braves-plan-to-build-new-stadium-in-cobb/nbpNQ/

Bloomberg, Braves Say They’ll Build New Baseball Stadium for 2017: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-11/atlanta-braves-say-they-ll-build-new-baseball-stadium-for-2017.html

Stadium Mouse, Baseball and the American City: http://www.stadiummouse.com/stadium/economic.html

From This Seat, MLB Ballparks – Construction Cost Rankings: http://www.fromthisseat.com/index.php/blog/17158-mlb-ballparks-construction-cost-rankings