Atlanta Braves to vacate Turner Field before 2017

The Atlanta Braves told Mayor Kasim Reed on Tuesday that the team will be out of Turner Field by Dec. 31, 2016 — or possibly earlier.
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? In a statement released today by Reed’s office, the mayor says the team has informed the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority, the entity that oversees Turner Field, that it will not extend its lease agreement.
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? The team, which is currently building its new home in Cobb County, did have the right to extend its lease of the ballpark for another five-year term. 
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? So what comes next for Turner Field and the surrounding neighborhoods?
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? Georgia State University and private developers have partnered to propose plopping down student housing, athletics facilities, and retail on the site and its mammoth surface parking area. And Reed has said that casino gambling interests have expressed an interest in the property as well. Before the Braves pack up their mitts and bats, proposals will likely pour in from additional developers — and neighbors will want to have a say. 
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? Reed says he expects a “new vision” will aid in the “continued revitalization of the stadium neighborhoods.”
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? “Securing the right redevelopment partner for Turner Field will provide substantial benefits to surrounding neighborhoods including long-term job creation and business expansion,” Reed says. “I look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure a successful transition.”