Quote Originally Posted by Vteckidd View Post
SO . MUCH . HOSTILITY. I Was honestly asking, wasnt rhetorical. I thought maybe you knew, I know there was discussion of the braves splitting profit or something on the restaurants. If COBB owns all the property around the complex, then all those restaurants = RENT MONEY and TAXES for 30 years. Money you arent factoring in

As far as your estimation, i disagree. Cobb County OWNS THE STADIUM. Its THEIR PROPERTY. In 30 years the braves will stay, or move on, and Cobb will still own the land, property, etc. Cobb will make money on this , EASILY, without breaking a sweat.

As to uncle vito , i disagree. Tourism is Tourism. he SHOULD see more customers, foot traffic, shoppers, etc. That area they are talking about building Hotels and such to it could be a nice little hub in North Atlanta.

Cobb COunty is going to have to come up with around 100-150 million over the next 30 years, Im sure taxes will be raised, but how much and to whom? Not sure I have seen that (unless you know where that is explained).

I wasn't try to come across as hostile. I didn't realize that you were genuinely asking that question either, as there has been a lot of discussion online about it already, and I made the assumption that you were already informed on it, and were asking as a rhetorical response only. That assumption is my mistake, sorry for it.

Actually, I am factoring in the tax revenue from the local businesses. There are two special taxes for that Cumberland area attached to this proposal already. Those figures include the new hotel tax and district tax. Under the proposed plan, the county would use a mix of $9.61 million in existing revenue and $8.29 million in new taxes on business and tourism to collect the $17.9 million per year to cover the principal and interest of its share of the 30-year bonds that would be issued, according to the terms. They haven't said yet what revenue sources might be used for capital maintenance expenses to be shared 50/50 by the team and the county (see page 8 , section 9 of the stadium proposal). Of the new taxes, the county plan calls for $5.5 million would be generated annually through a new levy on area businesses, as well as $400,000 in a new 3 percent car rental tax in unincorporated parts of the county and $2.7 million from a new $3 per-room, per-night charge for surrounding hotels and motels.

Property will be owned by the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority. It will be operated by the Braves though. In 30 years, what will the stadium sell for? Who many are lining up to buy Turner Field right now? Who did Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium sell to back in the 1990s?

Do you know why it is especially bad for restaurants in Cumberland Mall, like Uncle Vito's? They have to pay out the tax money as it will likely be factored into their rent, yet they won't get the customers. Do you know why? Because the Braves are planning on building their own $400M entertainment complex complete with restaurants. Tourists aren't going to travel over to the old mall when the new dedicated entertainment plaza is where they already are at.
Braves unveil stadium entertainment district plan | www.wsbtv.com

Cobb County has already factored in a tax for hotels, and for the Cumberland district. Where else can they go for money other than the local residents and businesses? How will those local residents see a return on their public money being used to build a local business?

Right now, it appears that 55% of Cobb residents are against it, but Lee's plans to only listen to 6 residents before voting. Doesn't that strike you as being not in the public's best interest?
Even worse, look at what he predicted earlier:
County leader predicts unanimous vote on stadium | www.wsbtv.com
Sure sounds like he already knows of some backroom deals.

IMO, Cobb county residents should be voting on any expenditure this big and should have all of the details ahead of time. I'm surprised that you would feel differently. When Obamacare was voted on without time to read the legislation, you certainly didn't have the same viewpoint that you have now.