A new era at Turner Field can now begin to take shape, as Georgia State and its development partners have closed on their purchase of the facility.
From 1997-2016, Turner Field–which was originally constructed for the 1996 Olympics–served as home to MLB’s Atlanta Braves. With the Braves set to move to SunTrust Park in Cobb County for the 2017 baseball season, the facility will receive a new life as a college football stadium.
Georgia State and its partners, Carter and Oakwood Development, have purchased Turner Field and the adjacent parking lots for $30 million. As part of the proposal, Turner Field will become the home of Georgia State Panthers football while the surrounding area will be converted into a mixed-use development. More from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Georgia State athletics will be one focus of the project, but so will residential and commercial development, backers say, bringing a more consistent stream of residents and workers to help support the mixed-use project. The aim is to bring back life to some of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.
Scott Taylor, president of development firm Carter, said the partners view Turner Field “as a once in a lifetime opportunity to help transform this historic part of our city for generations to come.”
“Our joint venture is committed to restoring elements to the original street grid, improving stormwater management, creating jobs for local residents all while creating a mixed-use community which combines retail, office and residential in a vibrant, safe atmosphere,” he said.
Georgia State, which was based at the Georgia Dome through the 2016 season, is expected to begin playing at Turner Field next fall. The renovations, however, will not be completed by that time, and are slated to take place in phases. The university said in its announcement that work on the stadium will begin in February.
Rendering courtesy Georgia State University.