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Mayor Kasim Reed says a deal to reshape Turner Field could be struck quickly once the Braves give notice of an exit date, and that neither the Atlanta City Council nor the Fulton County Commission are required to vote on a redevelopment plan.
Decisions regarding the potential sale of the 77-acre ballpark rest solely with the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority board, Reed said.
“Whomever acquires Turner Field is actually going to pay a significant amount of money for the real estate,” Reed said, adding there will be no outlay of public funds. “…That agreement is going to be with the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority.”
Reed’s assertion surprised Fulton Chairman John Eaves and others.
Citing a November 2013 opinion by the county attorney’s office, Eaves was adamant that the commission is entitled to a vote in any Turner Field deal, as the county holds a one-third interest in the land.
“Our counsel has told us that the authority is the first level, and then the commission has to approve whatever transaction that takes place because we are the ones that actually own the property,” he said.
William K. Whitner, the chairman of the authority, said the authority holds fee simple title to both Turner Field and Philips Arena, and thus would be required to approve a development deal.
The authority board consists of nine members, with three appointed by the Fulton commission and six by Reed. Its power is similar to the civilian authority that has sole discretion over the proposed sale of Fort McPherson land to filmmaker Tyler Perry.
In a November letter to a neighborhood planning unit, however, Whitner wrote that the city and county are the “ultimate decision makers regarding redevelopment of the Turner Field footprint.” The AJC couldn’t immediately reach him for a follow up interview.
Eaves has been publicly critical of Reed in recent weeks because of the appointment of Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Reed ally, to become the authority’s executive director. Eaves criticized the move as lacking transparency because the AFCRA board did not first advertise the position.
“I hate to publicly speculate, but I definitely see some strategic movement taking place,” he said.
Whitner and a spokesperson for Reed have defended the appointment, saying the authority followed proper protocol.
Just what will become of Turner Field has remained a hot topic since the Braves announced in November 2013 plans to build a new stadium in Cobb County.
Reed, often criticized as a go-it-alone mayor, has attempted to take the lead on negotiations. The mayor has said several suitors are interested in the property, but that he favors a potential deal with Georgia State University.
“I’ve been very transparent that’s the direction I’m going because I know what that 77-acres can mean to Georgia State, and I think Georgia State is making a terrific contribution to the city and to what our city is becoming,” he said.
Last year, the university, the Carter real estate firm and Columbia Residential, unveiled a $300 million proposal that calls for converting “The Ted” into a football, soccer and track and field stadium. The firm also wants to develop the land around the existing stadium with student housing, retail and a new college ballpark.
Representatives of Carter, the lead developer for the Georgia State plan, have said the firm wants to engage the community for their ideas, as well.
The Braves haven’t yet announced a firm exit date from the park, something Reed said will help speed up a deal with a new buyer.
It is widely believed that a decision could come after a pending ruling by the state Supreme Court on public bonds for the Cobb ballpark. The team is not required to say it will be leaving, however, until Jan. 1, 2016.
Braves Executive Vice President Mike Plant has said he wants to be certain the Turner Field communities are involved in site planning.
Atlanta Councilwoman Carla Smith, whose district includes the stadium communities, is concerned about how a potential sale could impact a $212,000 grant program the neighborhoods received this year from the Atlanta Regional Commission. The grant, which includes $50,000 in city funds, provides for residents to work with professional consultants in developing a comprehensive transportation and land use plan.
The city is already working to hire a consultant for the plan, which is expected to wrap up next summer, according to the ARC’s Amy Goodwin.
Smith said neighborhoods including Summer Hill and Peoplestown have endured massive changes in the past several decades, including being divided by interstates and two stadium projects. She called news that the council won’t have a vote on the sale “disconcerting,” noting: “The neighborhoods and (their) residents deserve input.”
Reed spokeswoman Jenna Garland noted the mayor helped secure the grant and supports the community planning.
Lee Sullivan, a Mechanicsville resident, said the area around the ballpark is a community in crisis and in need of jobs— jobs that haven’t come from past stadium development.
“We don’t want to be left out,” she said.
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