The Atlanta Braves released renderings on Wednesday of their new suburban stadium. With the ability to seat 41,500 the new ballpark is 12 miles away from the teams current ballpark of Turner Field and would open in 2017.
The Braves said on their stadium website that the facility in Cobb County will also contain shops, restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as a boutique hotel, office space and approximately 500 residences. Cobb county is set to contribute $368 million of the $672 million project. The Braves would provide the rest.
The plan includes:
• A boulevard leading to the stadium, lined with businesses that are open year-round. Roads inside the complex will be closed on game days to allow fans to walk safely.
• A plaza beyond the right-field wall that can be used for concerts, festivals and other activities outside of baseball season. Team monuments and championship flags will be moved to this area, as well.
• A 90-foot overhang — three times the size of the roof at Turner Field — to provide protection from the hot Atlanta summers. In addition, all concourses will be air conditioned.
• The “Chop House” restaurant will be located in right field and a hotel on-site will allow visitors to see into the ballpark.
• A 1-to- 1 1/2 acre “water feature” will be located just beyond the outfield walls and concourse.
Currently the city of Atlanta is reviewing proposals for Turner Field.
Georgia State University has proposed converting the venue into a 30,000-seat football stadium and building a college baseball park on the footprint of the former Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, which was torn down in 1997.
The county commission is set to give final approval to the stadium deal this month without putting it before voters in Cobb County.