ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News now has a better idea of what the neighborhood surrounding the new Braves stadium in Cobb County will look like.
Wednesday, the team released new renderings of the development that will go up around SunTrust Park.
The Chamber's Brooks Mathis loves the look the Braves is laying down in their new renderings.
When the Braves moved to Cobb, and got a large taxpayer commitment to help build their stadium, they promised they'd pick up the tab for $400 million in restaurants, shops and hotels nearby.
That promise, Mathis says, has already brought in business years down the road.
"People book three or four years in advance or renew existing convention contracts and I know it's a popular thing for them because it gives folks something to do while they're here in the hotel, after the convention," Mathis said.
And when the people come, so do the developers looking to ride the Braves' coattails and land in the Cumberland area has become a hot commodity.
"In 2012 we had about four commercial property sales that took place. This year we've already had 23 commercial property sales take place, so a lot of sales activity; a lot of interest," said Malaika Rivers of the Cumberland Community Improvement District.
"The energy just walking around town all the new developments you can see again. The dirt is turning everywhere," said Marriott
Joel Darr just took over running the big Marriott on the other side of I-75. He says the stadium and development will be great, but they are already seeing the benefits from the developers and contractors booking rooms.
"The Braves may come in to bring in people to do any of the different facets at the stadium, so they come in and they're going to stay at the hotel, use the taxis, go to the local restaurants," said Darr.
The Braves say the new ballpark is on schedule to open in time for Opening Day 2017. It is located at the intersection of Interstates 75 and 285 in Cobb County, north of Atlanta.
Word of the Braves plans to leave southeast Atlanta broke in November of last year. The team currently plays at Turner Field, a stadium constructed for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Cobb County commissioners unanimously approved the deal in May. The agreement allowed the county to borrow nearly $400 million to build the stadium, which the Braves will stay in for at least 30 years.
WSBTV
