MLS Soccer Team to Build HQ, Training Complex in Marietta

Atlanta's new Major League Soccer team - Atlanta United Football Club – will build its headquarters and training complex on city-owned land along the Franklin Road corridor in Marietta, Georgia. The site is at least 50 percent larger than Centennial Olympic Park.
   
The 33-acre site off Interstate 75 will house six soccer fields - three turf and three grass, the team’s headquarters and other facilities.

In addition to functioning as a training ground for Atlanta United, it will be the training ground for the club's youth academy program, and host youth development programs and tournaments.

The headquarters building features offices, an indoor-outdoor gym, locker room, and dining area, within 30,000 square feet. With work underway, the $60-million facility should be ready a year from now.

Ground was broken earlier this year to prepare the site for construction. Atlanta United's first season begins in March 2017, when the team will play at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.

Atlanta United is expected to house 123 employees - including 80 "high-paying" jobs, according to MLS.

The league also noted the project represents more than $50 million in new investment in the area by club.

"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 club the ability to host tournaments and community events," a spokesperson for the MLS reported.

Project Details:

• The 20-year lease calls for at least six lighted soccer fields on 32 acres of the 49-acre site owned property.
• Twenty years with two five-year options
• Years one to 10 - $1 a year as consideration for investment and improvements by Atlanta United
• Years 11 to 20 and five-year options year option years - $320,000 a year subject to CPI adjustments annually with cap at 4 percent.
• Possible consideration of joint use of a billboard on Interstate 75 as a mutual option, not mandatory.
• Improvements will be six soccer fields, lighted, and state of the art training center/headquarter offices
• Improvements are made by Major League Soccer team at their expense and with their ability to raise such without encumbering the property.
• City of Marietta to build a Franklin Road City Park featuring soccer, trails, and the rotten wood creek trail. The 13.6-acre parcel was purchased in 2012. Mayor Tumlin said there is a need for parks in the area.

Atlanta United said several months ago the team was considering property in DeKalb County and the Franklin Road property in Cobb County. The DeKalb property was selected, but the team announced the cost to develop the property would be more than anticipated and turned its attention to Cobb.

Locker Rooms

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.