Atlanta United, the city’s Major League Soccer club, and the City of Marietta have entered into a binding memorandum of understanding to build a state-of-the-art headquarters and training complex in the Franklin Road Corridor in Marietta. The project represents more than $50 million in new investment by Atlanta United to the area and approximately 80 high-paying jobs by 2017.
The 32 +/- acre site will include six soccer fields and will serve as the headquarters for Atlanta United players and staff. The facility is a catalytic economic development project announcement for Franklin Road.
“Since the approval of the Franklin Road Redevelopment Bond by City of Marietta voters in November 2013, the City has worked tirelessly to revitalize the Franklin Road Corridor,” said Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin. “On behalf of the City Council and myself, we would like to thank the citizens of this great City who gave us the ability to purchase the dilapidating properties along Franklin Road and market that greenspace for economic development projects. It is because of the trust the citizens instilled in the City that we are now able to call ourselves ‘Home to Atlanta United!’”
The Marietta facility will serve as a training ground for the club’s first team and youth academy program and will be the host site for various youth development programs and tournaments. Atlanta United matches will be played at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium beginning in 2017.
“We are very pleased to have found a home in the City of Marietta for our training complex, which further enhances the great support we’ve already received from the soccer community in Cobb County,” said Atlanta United President Darren Eales. “We look forward to not only developing a world class training facility, but also to engaging with the community and contributing to the revitalization of the Franklin Road Corridor.”
“This project represents an important milestone for Marietta and Cobb County,” said Brooks Mathis, senior vice president of Economic Development at the Cobb Chamber and executive director of Cobb’s Competitive EDGE. “We’re excited to partner with Atlanta United to bring quality jobs and economic growth to Franklin Road, and this is just the beginning. The corridor has ample acreage that’s still available to develop and market to prospective companies. This project is the realization of the vision of redevelopment Marietta’s citizens and civic leaders put into motion just two years ago.”
Atlanta United will also partner with the City of Marietta to develop a joint use community park along Rottenwood Creek and trails, bringing multi-use fields to youth in the community within walking distance of the training complex. The additional fields, which will be paid for, owned, maintained and managed by Marietta Parks and Recreation, will give the City and Atlanta United the ability to host tournaments and community events.
Planning for construction on the Atlanta United training complex is expected to begin immediately, with completion estimated by early 2017.
About Atlanta United
Atlanta United brings Major League Soccer to the Southeast as the league’s 22nd franchise. The club’s avid fan base has set records in fan participation with 26,000 seats reserved to date for the 2017 inaugural season.
The first sports team to play in the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium currently under construction downtown, Atlanta United is owned by one of the city’s most influential businessmen and philanthropists, Arthur M. Blank, and is led by club President Darren Eales. For more information about Atlanta United, including how to become a Founding Member visit: www.atlutd.com and follow @ATLUTD
About the Marietta Redevelopment Bond
In November 2013, Citizens of the City of Marietta passed a $68 million Redevelopment Bond for Whitlock Avenue streetscape improvements ($4 million) and Franklin Gateway Redevelopment ($64 million). Franklin Road bond funds have been invested to purchase four aging apartment complexes on Franklin Road leading to new private investment and the creation of over 1,120 jobs in the corridor.
About the Cobb Chamber
As one of the most influential business advocacy organizations in Georgia, the Cobb Chamber is dedicated to bringing the community and its leaders together to create jobs and strengthen the economy and quality of life so businesses and the community can achieve more. The Chamber achieves this by creating jobs and driving economic development; strengthening the community and the region; growing member businesses and nurturing leadership; and connecting businesses, government and the community.
