The Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority added some exciting news for Georgia State University athletes, students and alums for a school who has had quite a 2015 already.
Georgia State University, in partnership with real estate firm and developer Carter, will soon bring to “Panthersville” to life with breaking news Monday that the school and developer Carter won their bid to acquire Turner Field and 70 acres that surround the property.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, who gave his full support behind the Georgia State and Carter partnership once the Braves announced they were bolting for Cobb County, released a statement about The Authority’s decision:
“I am pleased with the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority’s unanimous decision to sell Turner Field to Georgia State University and Carter. Today’s sale is a significant step forward in the continued revitalization of the Summerhill, Peoplestown, Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh and Grant Park neighborhoods and strengthens Georgia State University’s position as one of the leading universities in the nation..
You can read Mayor Kasim Reeds full statement here
The partnership will transform the area into football and baseball stadiums, retail and residential areas including some much needed student residences in the reported $300 million project. The project is considered to be an important next step for the university who has already had an amazing year.
The Panthers captured national attention earlier this year after their upset 57-56 win over Baylor in the second round of the NCAA Basketball tournament. The football team turned around a 1-11 record in 2014 to improve to 6-7, including a dominant win over in state rival Georgia Southern University, in 2015 and secured the programs first ever bowl berth at the Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida.
Georgia State and Carter will now begin official negotiations of the sale with The Authority to finalize the deal. The Atlanta Braves are due to exit Turner Field at the end of 2016.
Woody Bass is a staff writer for Peach State College Sports and can be found on Twitter as @WoodyBass