Turner Field to be sold to Georgia State, developers

By Collin Kelley

The City of Atlanta and Fulton County Recreation Authority have announced that a team made up of Georgia State University, real estate developers Carter and Oakwood as the winning bidder to redevelop Turner Field and approximately 70 acres of adjacent property.

“After a thorough review of all the proposals, including in-person presentations, the Board of the City of Atlanta and Fulton County Recreation Authority has a preferred bidder and will commence negotiations immediately,” said William Whitner, chair of the AFCRA board in a media statement. “We will move forward expeditiously to ensure that we make meaningful progress toward determining the future of this historic neighborhood. AFCRA has been a long-time partner in this community and we fully appreciate the importance of negotiating with a developer that will have the community’s interest foremost in mind.”

“The AFCRA Board has taken the next major step in ensuring that there is meaningful redevelopment and transformation of this area,” said Keisha Lance Bottoms, executive director of AFCRA. “Several details have yet to be mapped out, however, I, along with our Board Chair, will now lead negotiations to finalize an agreement. As we enter this phase, we will continue to work with the surrounding community and partners in the City and County to ensure that they continue to play a vital role in this process. Our most important objective is that the future redevelopment of this area is one that we can all be proud of. We believe that we have the right match for

Turner Field and the surrounding communities.”

GSU and its development team plan to convert The Ted into a football stadium surrounded by a mix of student housing, apartments and retail shops. Bottoms said the GSU team was also selected because of its commitment to transform the property within five years of purchase. The Braves will depart Turner Field for its new home in Cobb County at the end of the 2016 season.

Residents who live in neighborhoods surrounding Turner Field have been pushing for the city and county to allow a Livable Centers Initiative study to proceed, which will give residents input into the process of redeveloping the site.