Atlanta Braves still have not started construction in Florida
by Alan Carpenter
Posted 8/26/2017
There is still time, but it’s getting tight. Still two more hurdles to leap before the new Spring training digs can start being… dug.
At least the Atlanta Braves know where they will be Wintering come February: the facilities at the Walt Disney World/ESPN Sports Complex. It’s where they’ve been for 20 years.
That lease has been extended by one year through the 2018 season, so at least there’s no angst about what happens then.
It’s the 2019 season that is getting more interesting (probably for some on-field reasons, too, but that’s another story entirely).
In short, the city of North Port, the Braves, and the developers are in a holding pattern. They are waiting for the bureaucratic wheels to turn with the State of Florida:
For the complex to open in February 2019, however, design and construction work will need to commence shortly. And while there’s no deadline for the state to respond to the West Villages application for $20 million in funding, officials usually respond in a timely manner.
It was three months ago when we reported that the parties were “two to three weeks” away from submitting their grant funding application to the State. 2 to 3 weeks after that, we got wind of the economic impact study that was to be submitted as part of that application.
Since then… nothing.
Recent History
It was on November 9, 2015 that the Nationals and Astros held a ground-breaking ceremony for their joint Spring Training complex in West Palm Beach. Despite the size of this facility and the extra cost ($144 million) involved, they opened on time – barely – on February 28, 2017.
Even so, there were still several ‘finishing touches’ that didn’t quite get done in time.
So if that date represents a time bogey of sorts, the Braves now have about 11 weeks before the construction needs to begin.
Once the State does it’s part, there’s still one more approval needed… but from 3 different local governing bodies: the city of North Port, the West Villages development board, and Sarasota County.
While all parties are primed to do so, it will still take time to get those boards together to do the public’s business.
But the clock is ticking.
Article copied from /https://tomahawktake.com/2017/08/26/atlanta-braves-still-not-started-construction-florida/. Check out the website for more Atlanta Braves commentary and stats.
Posted by Ali Johnston of West Villages Realty. Check out area homes at http://www.westvillageshome.com/
Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate
REALTOR®, Lic. Broker #BK3284964
West Villages Realty LLC
19503 S West Villages Pkwy
Stes A2 & A11 (by Appt)
Venice, Florida 34293
19503 S West Villages Pkwy
Stes A2 & A11 (by Appt)
Venice, Florida 34293
Office: 941-460-3179
Thanks for reading!
Ali
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