Gwinnett County has issued a permit that will allow work to begin on the initial phase of construction of the minor league baseball stadium to be located on Buford Drive/SR 20 southeast of I-85. The land disturbance permit, which was issued to the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau through Planners and Engineers Collaborative, allows for grading to begin on the site of the stadium and associated areas. Glenn Stephens, Gwinnett County’s Director of Planning and Development, indicated it is his understanding that the GCVB intends for a contractor to begin grading work soon.

According to Stephens, the next step in the process will be the submittal, review and approval of a site development plan that will allow the installation of necessary infrastructure and paving. Once building plans are submitted, reviewed and approved, construction on the stadium and related structures can begin.

Last Tuesday, the GCVB, Gwinnett County and the Atlanta Braves signed a contract for the ball club’s Triple-A team to relocate from Richmond, Va., to Gwinnett County starting with the 2009 season. The stadium use and lease agreement spells out the responsibilities between the parties regarding the construction and operation of the stadium and stadium site. The $45 million project is being financed with $33 million in 30-year revenue bonds and a $12 million contribution by Gwinnett County that includes the land. The County purchased the 12-acre property for $5 million; the remaining $7 million will go towards construction costs. Bonds for the project closed on Tuesday.

Gwinnett County’s economist, Dr. Alfie Meek, estimates the ballpark will generate approximately $15 million per year in new economic activity. That activity will support an estimated 200 additional jobs countywide and generate approximately $6.5 million in new personal income. Additional information about the new stadium and its impact on the community’s quality of life, economy and infrastructure is available at the County’s website at www.gwinnettcounty.com.