MLB All Star Game: Cobb Commissioners OK $2M In Safety Measures

COBB COUNTY, GA — Cobb County commissioners unanimously approved $2 million in public safety and transportation costs Tuesday for the 2021 Major League Baseball All Star Game.

The All Star Game will take place this July at Truist Park in the Smyrna-Vinings area.

Cobb Board of Commissioners Chair Lisa Cupid said the economic impact of the All Star Game could be at the lower end of the $37 million to $190 million range, cited in a memo from the county's finance director last week. Those revenue estimates were provided by the MLB.

Cupid also said the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult to plan protection for visitors. Commissioners approved the $2 million at the Tuesday board meeting, which will mostly cover security costs.

The expense approval comes just after a presentation from Braves Development Company CEO Mike Plant on Tuesday afternoon, who said the Braves are planning to open Truist Park at full capacity by June. The stadium will reopen at 33 percent capacity by the start of the season in April.

“Safety to us is paramount,” Cupid said during the meeting. “We are going to be not only on a national scene but potentially an international scene with this event. We just want to make sure that Cobb County is safe for our residents and our visitors, and that we continue to maintain our brand of being a well-run county to the world.”

Commissioners also approved four new positions within the county probate court office in a 4-1 vote. Because the board denied a similar request from the District Attorney's office earlier this month, Commissioner Jerica Richardson said she could not support the probate court positions due to a lack of consistency.

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