The Atlanta Braves released a series of images Tuesday showing off the planned mixed-use development area that will be constructed outside of Suntrust Park. You can expect the ballpark standards – a merchandise store, a couple of bars, some chain restaurants, and some sort of ‘play-center’ for the younger fans. Presumably there will be a hotel, (or two) for those making their pilgrimages from the far reaches of Braves country as well as an office building for Braves front office personnel.
So basically, an office park. Similar to what you might find amidst a tech company’s campus in Alpharetta, albeit with a bit more flair. Braves fans will be able to have their pick of one of the half dozen chain restaurants available, and if Applebees or Chilis don’t float your boat I’m sure a couple $8 beers from the local ‘brewpub’ will get you loosened up enough to go watch the team actually play baseball. That is why you came to the park after all…. right?
So it’s not exactly Wrigleyville, but hey, at least it’s better than the hobo-filled parking lots surrounding Turner Field right? I mean sure, it may not have access to any form of public transportation, but who needs it? This is Atlanta, the commuter capital of the South. We drive more than any town east of L.A. Heck, half the reason the Braves moved to Cobb in the first place was to be closer to the fanbase north of the city, and those folks surely aren’t the ones crying for MARTA.
But looking at these pictures, we run into another problem. That pesky parking problem that Cobb Chairman Tim Lee has sashayed around as if he were some washed up actor on Dancing With the Stars. There are some parking lots and even what appears to be a parking garage shown on the sketches, but nothing close to the number needed to fill the stadium. Besides, anyone who has parked in one of the decks downtown after a Hawks or Falcons game can tell you how maniacally difficult those are to get out of after a game. Braves officials have alluded to there being a large number of parking spots under the stadium in the past, an idea that seems laughably unfeasible.
Cobb County can build all the new entrance and exit ramps it wants near the stadium. In fact, that’s exactly what they’re doing. But ramps only help so much if there aren’t enough spots to park, and while all the shiny new drawings of ‘Braves-ville’ are sure to excite anyone who is a fan of mixed-use development and chain restaurants, the parking situation remains a major concern heading into 2015.
