Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Cobb, Braves meet Tuesday over $14 million dispute at SunTrust Park

The elevated walkway over Windy Ridge Parkway to SunTrust Park is under construction and is one of the projects for which the Braves are seeking reimbursement from Cobb taxpayers. There is an on-going dispute between the county and Braves as to whether taxpayers are responsible for roads, bridges and other pedestrian improvements in and around the SunTrust Park development. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM
The elevated walkway over Windy Ridge Parkway to SunTrust Park is under construction and is one of the projects for which the Braves are seeking reimbursement from Cobb taxpayers. There is an on-going dispute between the county and Braves as to whether taxpayers are responsible for roads, bridges and other pedestrian improvements in and around the SunTrust Park development. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM
By and Meris Lutz
Jan 23, 2017

Cobb County Commission Chairman Mike Boyce has called for a public discussion Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. over an Atlanta Braves' claim that county taxpayers owe $14 million for roads, bridges and other infrastructure improvements at SunTrust Park.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported today that the Braves are seeking reimbursement for five projects, but Cobb transportation director Jim Wilgus says the county has already spent $69.5 million on infrastructure improvements related to the new stadium and has more than met its public commitment.

Among the major projects for which the Braves seek reimbursement: $5.8 million for public roads inside the development; $5.7 million for pedestrian bridges over two outside roads; and $2.2 million for pedestrian improvements between the stadium and satellite parking lots.

The dispute comes three months before the Braves are scheduled to being playing at the new stadium.

About the Authors

Dan Klepal is editor of the local government team, supervising nine reporters covering county and municipal governments and metro Atlanta. Klepal came to the AJC in 2012, after a long career covering city halls in Cincinnati and Louisville, Ky. He has covered Gwinnett and Cobb counties before spending three years on the investigative team.

Follow Dan Klepal on twitter

Meris Lutz is a contributing writer covering climate, the environment and the economy. She is particularly interested in stories that explore the intersections between climate change and labor, markets, health, biodiversity, government transparency and public access to natural resources.

More Stories

Keep Reading

A woman was shot in the head Friday afternoon outside a CVS in Loganville, according to police. (Courtesy Channel 2 Action News)

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Woman dies after being shot in head outside Loganville CVS, police say

Store temporarily closed during police investigation, officials say.

Fire gutted a DeKalb art studio. Creatives are now picking up the pieces.

A Wednesday blaze at South River Art Studios ravaged one of three warehouses on the property where about 35 artists create and store all their supplies.

$980M Mega Millions winning ticket sold in Newnan

The player matched all six numbers during a Friday evening drawing and won a jackpot worth an estimated $980 million. It has an estimated cash value of $452.2 million.

The Latest

A woman was shot in the head Friday afternoon outside a CVS in Loganville, according to police. (Courtesy Channel 2 Action News)

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Woman dies after being shot in head outside Loganville CVS, police say

Gridlock Guy: ATL DOT asks to please pardon its progress

Fire gutted a DeKalb art studio. Creatives are now picking up the pieces.

Featured

Prosecutor Skandalakis has previously suggested that pursuing criminal charges against President Donald Trump may not be feasible until after he leaves office in 2029. (Craig Hudson/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

‘Automatic for the People’: Weaver D’s still bonds Athens as era nears end

After feeding everyone from R.E.M. to Brian Kemp, and coining a phrase that went global, Dexter Weaver is preparing to close his storied Athens soul food restaurant.