With Stadium Deal Official, Atlanta Begins Planning for Braves Departure | WABE 90.1 FM

Now that the deal to relocate the Atlanta Braves to Cobb County is official, the city of Atlanta is beginning to prepare for the team’s departure.

Earlier this month, Mayor Kasim Reed said Turner Field would be demolished after the team relocates in 2017. He vowed to transform the area into a vibrant middle-class neighborhood.

“I think that we’re going to be able to make a pretty significant announcement about the development of a 60-acre tract at a time when East Atlanta is absolutely exploding and doing well, at a time when we need to make sure that there’s a place for middle class families to live,” said Reed. “I guarantee that we’re not going to leave a vacant Ted (Turner Field).”

Meanwhile, City Councilwoman Carla Smith, whose district includes Turner Field, is carrying legislation that would create a task force to help with redevelopment plans.

“One of the things that I would like to see come out of the committee is I’d like to do a new redevelopment plan for that area and in that I’m sure we’ll see mixed, residential, and commercial [development],” said Smith.

via With Stadium Deal Official, Atlanta Begins Planning for Braves Departure | WABE 90.1 FM.