The Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority on Monday voted to build elevator access to the Braves bridge over I-285 for mobility-impaired visitors.
The authority will put up to $500,000 toward an elevator at the south end of a bridge leading from the Galleria parking deck to the Battery, the Braves’ mixed-use development under construction next to SunTrust Park.
The authority owns the Galleria’s parking deck. Although the authority will pay for the elevator, Cobb County will be responsible for its maintenance and security.
Bob Voyles, chairman of the Real Estate/Construction Committee of the authority, described the Galleria’s relationship with the Braves as “symbiotic.”
“We think that the Braves coming here to Cumberland is going to be positive to the whole area, and we’re seeing that already in terms of bookings and interest with our facility,” Voyles said. “The smartest decision that will be made will be connecting ourselves to the Battery.”
County officials say the $11.5 million bridge is necessary for ensuring safe access to the new stadium, but the project has faced some resistance from the public and affected businesses.
In October, Cobb resident Tom Cheek filed a lawsuit against Cobb County commissioners for spending funds from a special 1 percent sales tax to relocate utilities for the bridge. The lawsuit argues that SPLOST dollars can be spent only on voter-approved projects.
A separate motion was filed earlier this year by Galleria Common Area Associates, a group of business owners, challenging whether the county could use eminent domain to take away their property for a bridge to the stadium. Following mediation with the county, the group agreed to defer outstanding legal issues until after the project is completed.
Cobb Transportation Director Jim Wilgus said through a spokesperson that the pedestrian portion of the bridge is on schedule to open by first pitch in April 2017.
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