What Changes Could We See to Turner Field?
As we have discussed before, the City of Atlanta is soliciting pitches to improve the swathe of parking lots around Turner Field. Last week, we got our first peak at the suggestions made by competing companies.
Among the suggestions are a park in the old Fulton County Stadium, residential units, retail, a sports complex, rec center, and a ferris wheel. I believe all of the proposals include consolidating the parking into decks (which I’m still not a fan of) and a link to the city’s new street car system.
What would you like to see in the proposals?
Filed under Uncategorized
Opening Day is April 1!
Opening Day is only around the corner and this year will be different. For only the second time in nine years, the Braves will open at home. They won’t have the typical mid-afternoon game, though. First pitch is at 7:10.
While some fans complained about not opening at home, I preferred a Friday evening Opening Day since it seemed like more people came out. Last year there was a particular rowdy crowd. (Who’s guilty?)
With a Monday game, I think I’ll have to push back my normal noon tailgating time to an hour that seems more appropriate for the beginning of the week and pray that my friends still want to join me on a school night. Either way, I’ll be there.
What do you do to celebrate Opening Day? (Also known as my Christmas.)
Filed under Opening Day, Tailgating
Congratulations to the Braves Tomahawk Team!
Wait… What do you mean I didn’t make it?!
Filed under For the Ladies
Which Braves free agents should come back?
Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants on their 2012 World Series title. With this season’s business done, we move into the off-season and its talk of free agents and extensions.
Several Braves players are free agents this year, including the uber talented Michael Bourn and club house favorites David Ross, Eric Hinske and Matt Diaz. Who do you want to see back in a Braves uniform next year?
Filed under Uncategorized
From The Players: Paul Maholm
You gotta love players that are also fans. In this case, Paul Maholm shared his love for Brad Paisley.
Hey @BradPaisley can't wait for you to roll into Atlanta so I can catch your show. Love your music! Made you this --> goo.gl/r5sOe
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paul maholm (@paul_maholm) September 13, 2012He even got a response from Brad!
Awesome! Thank you.RT @paul_maholm: Hey BP can't wait for you to roll into Atlanta...Made you this --> goo.gl/r5sOe
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Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) September 13, 2012You gotta click on the link in Paul’s tweet for his egraph. What a cool digital tool!
Filed under From the Players, Paul Maholm
Could Hank Aaron Dr Finally Get an Upgrade?
News broke last night that the City of Atlanta is requesting bids to turn the area around Turner Field into a live-work-play community. Instead of sprawling parking lots, we could see restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.
Anyone who visits stadiums around the country knows that this is a great idea. My favorite stadium, Petco Park in San Diego, is within a few feet of San Diego’s nightlife and also in a really clean area of town. Turner Field currently lacks close restaurants and, let’s face it, it’s not in safest area of town.
Creative Loafing (complete with maps) and the AJC have both written on the request. Atlanta has asked that any proposal includes parking decks, a streetcar link to downtown and pay homage to Atlanta’s favorite team. The Braves lease on the Ted and parking lots surrounding the stadium expires in 2016. Since they’re already facing the possibility of a new Falcons Stadium (much to the chagrin of Atlanta citizens), it appears they’re trying to appease the Braves on the front end.
My opinion: While a streetcar is great, the area sorely needs greater access to public transportation. Reducing the parking lots to decks will only increase traffic in the area. If you’ve parked in the Green Lot, you know that cramming that many cars into an area with few outlets is a bad idea. Parking decks would create the same problem on a vertical level.
Also, something has to be done about safety at Turner Field. While I’m all for making this an area that will attract people even during the off season, people aren’t going to travel there if they don’t feel safe.
Overall, this is a step in the right direction and I plan to keep you updated as the process continues.
Filed under Turner Field
