James January-February 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 11
Plant notes. “The Galleria nearby is at
95-plus percent occupancy, and other
office buildings surrounding us are
seeing high occupancy rates— and
this comes at a time of challenges for
many office complexes as an offshoot
of COVID. The environment here is so
positive and successful, others want to
be here or very close by. The standalone office environment is no longer
attractive. The multi-use lifestyle
attraction is the driver.”
Kim Menefee, executive director
of Cumberland Community Improvement District (which is home for The
Battery and Truist Park), praises
Braves Development for being a catalyst for growth. And she is witnessing
it first-hand.
“Cumberland is in full swing for
2025! Not only will Cumberland host
the MLB All-Star Game this year,”
Menefee says, “but the Cumberland
CID will celebrate major community
wins before the all-star game with
the opening of the Akers Mill Ramp
and phase one of New Day Palisades.
The $50 million Akers Mill Ramp will
complete the I-75 Northwest Express
Lanes System as the 12th southernmost access point, offering direct access into Cumberland for over 100,000
daily commuters. Phase one of New
Day Palisades is the $6.3 million renewal of 22 acres of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area’s
Paces Mill along the Chattahoochee
River. The popular Paces Mill renewal
will open to the public in May, greatly
enhancing the park’s amenities and
building upon the legacy of President
Jimmy Carter who helped make Paces Mill a national park in 1978.”
Remembering Tim Lee
& Looking Ahead
Atlanta. The move was announced in
2013 and Truist Park opened in 2017.
“We had a very bold vision, and
Tim Lee believed in it and us,” said
Plant. As The Battery and Truist Park
enters a new chapter, the Braves’
continued success on the field and the
ongoing investment in fan and visitor
experiences promise to sustain the
momentum.
The past year has been a testament to what can be achieved when
sports, business and community come
together in harmony. Whether you’re
a die-hard Braves fan, a foodie exploring The Battery’s culinary offerings,
or a visitor attending one of its many
events, there’s no denying the magnetic pull of this iconic destination. The
Battery Atlanta and Truist Park have
truly become more than just a place to
watch a game. Many say it has become the heartbeat of the region.
Plant continues to heap praise
on the late Cobb County Commission
Chairman Tim Lee, who passed away
in 2019. It was Lee who spearheaded
the controversial public financing deal
Cindy Morley is a staff writer for James and James
that brought the Braves northward from Magazine Online.
JA N UA RY/ F E B RUARY 2025
11
