The Atlanta Braves are weighing proposals from several interesting companies — a few familiar faces and big national players — vying to build the retail and entertainment district around the new Cobb County stadium. Before the $400 million mixed-use project breaks ground, though, it must grapple with the fact that its anchor tenant will be closed 284 days a year, and some Atlantans might be so spurned by the Braves intown exodus they'll boycott the district altogether. (Or maybe not). The job itself (and surely the East Cobb demographics) has led competitors to jump in bed together. But we can't help wondering what it'll take to make this district really fly, especially with more intriguing retail options coming online like Ponce City Market and Buckhead Atlanta.
The shortlist of potential developers includes AEG, the company behind "L.A. Live," the Los Angeles retail and entertainment district anchored by the Staples Center. AEG has teamed up with Atlantic Station-flippers North American Properties and Houston-based Hines Interests (known for making big recent moves in Central Perimeter) in one of two finalist bids, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports.
The other finalist bid comes from a cadre of well-known Atlanta developers, including Grant Park favorite Fuqua Development and Pope & Land Enterprises. Fuqua has projects in the works across metro Atlanta, including Cobb County. The newspaper reports the Braves could weigh the bids for several more weeks before making a selection. Big-name stalwarts like Cousins Properties and Buckhead Atlanta-builder OliverMcMillan have reportedly not made the final cut.
Regardless of who builds the district, it'll take more than Taco Mac and Bojangles to lure Atlantans during the Braves road stretches — and all winter long. Maybe a few zip-lines would help.
· Braves pick finalists to develop mixed-use project [ABC]
· A Braves New Website [Homeofthebraves.com]
· Turner Field Area In Pictures: Doomed Or Poised For Growth? [Curbed Atlanta]
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