In Atlanta, J. Scott Trubey notes new renderings of the Braves' $400M mixed-use district surrounding SunTrust Park "further define the public spaces and show a blend of architectural styles, with a blend of steel, brick and glass facades." Two taller glass towers -- a hotel and an office building -- will "feature views" into the ballpark. Renderings also show "a brewpub and Braves store." Braves Exec VP/Sales & Marketing Derek Schiller said that the renderings are "not the final design," but added that the locations of buildings and streets "are largely settled" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 12/11).
TAMPA TWO DEFENSE: In Tampa, John Romano reports St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman "was limited in his negotiating power" with the Rays about a new ballpark. If Kriseman was "concerned only about a lease penalty, he could have held out for more money and the Rays would have refused." But he had "two goals in mind: To get the best possible deal he could for St. Petersburg while also trying to guarantee" that MLB "would remain in this market for the long haul." This deal took "almost a year to negotiate," and "holding out for a few bucks more might have been fruitless and could have resulted in the loss of potential stadium sites to other development" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 12/11).
JERSEY SURE? Former New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority Chair Jon Hanson yesterday said that a "purported partnership" between the developer of American Dream Meadowlands and the owners of Barclays Center to "operate the Izod Center at the Sports Complex is not merely premature but also a non-starter." Hanson: "I don’t think it would be good public policy to have Barclays Center operating (an arena) in New Jersey when we already have the Prudential Center in New Jersey" (Bergen RECORD, 12/11).
