Rise Up: Atlanta’s New Stadiums Near Completion

Rise Up: Atlanta’s New Stadiums Near Completion
By Rory Sharrock

For those who live, work and play in downtown Atlanta or the Cumberland/Galleria section of Cobb County, it’s impossible to ignore the massive construction projects of Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Falcons) and SunTrust Park (Atlanta Braves).

These newest additions to the metro area’s landscape, which have long served as a major source of controversy, are now in the final stages of development in preparation for their inaugural games in 2017.

From the first day news broke about the change of venues, through the eventual groundbreaking ceremonies, members of both fan bases and casual observers have been filled with mixed emotions. Proponents of the move cite the relocation as a welcoming upgrade and a chance to script a positive chapter for each franchise’s checkered history. Opponents of the deal point to the lackluster level of talent on each team’s roster as an invalid reason to pay for an upcharge on tickets and taxes to fund the building expenses.

While there’s a continental divide separating those who favor or disapprove of the new stadiums, perhaps the sole unifier in this debate is the financial investment for the region.

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