The authority that owns Turner Field unveiled its planned disposition and redevelopment process for the stadium Wednesday night during a meeting with community groups.
Officials announced that the agency plans to issue a request for proposals from developers in early October. The RFP will solicit developers and redevelopment proposals for the stadium and surrounding parking lots.
“I don’t stand here as an alarmist. I stand here as a realist. Time is of the essence,” said Keisha Lance Bottoms, executive director of the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority. “This is a 48,000-seat stadium that in 15 months will be empty.”
David Todd, an executive with real estate services giant CBRE, which will advise the authority, said it will not be an auction for the highest bid. Community benefits and the redevelopment plan will be carefully considered.
A packed house of about 200 gathered at the stadium’s 755 Club, including neighborhood groups representing Peoplestown, Summerhill and Grant Park.
Just what will become of the longtime home of the Atlanta Braves has been a hot topic for stadium communities since the team announced its departure in late 2013.
Georgia State University and real estate firm Carter have made the only public proposal: a $300 million mix of student housing, apartments, retail and the conversion of Turner Field into a football stadium. Mayor Kasim Reed has also said casino interests have inquired about the stadium site.
Read more about meeting and the authority's plans later tonight at MyAJC.com and in the print edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
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