Atlanta stadiums, Beltline extensions highlight big openings of 2017

With just a few days until the last Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta, and our year in review now complete, it’s time to look ahead to what 2017 has in store for Atlanta.

This year has seen the construction of high-rises across the city and bold proposals for more to come. But come 2017, a range of truly high-profile openings are on tap, with sports venues and the Beltline shining through as the biggest contributors.

On the development front, 2017 is already shaping up to be Atlanta's biggest year since 2014, which saw the debut of Ponce City Market, Avalon, Buckhead Atlanta, a streetcar system, and two downtown museums, among more. One could argue that 2017 will be even bigger.

Stadiums Galore

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is slated to open this summer, following more than two years of construction. Plagued by delays, work on the stadium is finally coming together, but it won’t be done for Atlanta United to kick off their inaugural pro soccer season in the facility in March.

Look for the stadium to open its doors sometime in late summer, and you can bet it'll be ready for the Falcons to play some preseason games in the stadium by the end of August, per adamant team officials.

Here’s a look at the progress on the stadium as of October:

Here’s a look at the progress on the stadium as of November:

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Grid View

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Back in the city, Georgia State University is taking over the Braves’ old haunts at Turner Field, with plans to turn the stadium and surrounding land into a major sports complex and mixed-use precinct. Before that work gets underway, plans call for the Panthers football team to kick off in the converted stadium next season.

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More Beltline, At Last

While past years have brought short new spurts of Atlanta’s sensational multi-use trail, 2017 promises a windfall of new walking, biking, and all-around recreational options.

On the Eastside, work is slated to wrap up on a segment that will connect the trail to Reynoldstown via Wylie Street. Work was announced in 2015 and started this summer, with plans calling for work to be done near the end of 2017!

Here’s how the work looked this summer.

Here’s how the trail looked this fall.