On Monday, the Atlanta Braves announced plans to move to Cobb County in 2017.
According to MLB.com, the team is planning to build a state-of-the-art ballpark that will open in the county 14 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta at the start of the 2017 season.
"We believe the new stadium location is easy to access while also giving our fans a first-rate game day experience in and around the ballpark and making it a 365-day-a-year destination," Braves president John Schuerholz said.
Last week, the team informed the city that they would move when the current lease expires. The 20-year lease at Turner Field is up at the end of 2016.
The team's soon to be former home was originally built to house the 1996 Summer Olympics. The Braves began playing there the following year.
On its website, the team explains that Turner Field needs infrastructure work and upgrades that could cost over $200 million.
“Those upgrades still wouldn't address the logistical challenges outside the stadium – lack of consistent mass transit options, inadequate number of parking spaces and limited access to major highways."
The organization is focused on catering to the ultimate fan experience in the new ballpark. Perhaps that attitude will drive more people to the games, as the attendance at Turner Field has been lacking for years. The Braves were a playoff team and division winner last year, yet they only ranked 13th on MLB’s attendance report.