Paul: "Encouraged" By Boyce's Comments on Braves Traffic

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- An upset in a Cobb County election could lead to the county repairing its working relationship with the city of Sandy Springs.

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said he's "very encouraged" by Cobb Commission Chair-elect Mike Boyce's initial comments on how he'd like to work with the city to help mitigate inevitable traffic issues surrounding the Atlanta Braves' move to the suburbs.

The mayor also said he's also liked what he's heard from Boyce when it comes to addressing other "common transportation" issues both entities share, such as traffic feeding off the Johnson Ferry/Abernathy road corridor.

Boyce defeated incumbent Chairman Tim Lee in last week's Republican primary runoff election.

• RELATED: "This Was Our Nightmare": Mayor Blasts Plan To Shuffle Braves Traffic

However, Paul isn't getting ahead of himself when it comes to negotiations. He states Lee's role in future communications will remain vital over the coming months.

"We also recognize that Mr. Lee remains commission chair for another six months and will continue to engage with him and his staff to use his remaining time as productively as possible on these issues, too," he said. "We've made some progress and hope to make more."

While he understands Boyce has a lot on his plate at the moment, Paul said he hopes to meet with him soon to "build on his commitment to cooperate on traffic-related concerns."

When reached by phone, Boyce said he is eager to learn more about what Cobb and the Atlanta Braves' plans are when it comes to shuffling traffic in and around SunTrust Park.

He also noted he wants to meet with Sandy Springs leaders to determine what solutions could be hashed out with regards to the traffic problems they both share.

The tensions between Cobb and Sandy Springs came to a head at a June 21 work session when Jim Wilgus, the county's transportation director, outlined a preliminary plan that would encourage Interstate 285 westbound-traveling motorists to exit at the New Northside Drive interchange in Sandy Springs and continue towards Interstate North Parkway.

That, Wilgus argued, would give motorist a clear path to a parking lot planned near the stadium.

Sandy Springs leaders balked at the plan, and blasted its neighbors to the northwest for not sitting down with the city ahead of time to discuss traffic issues in connection to the new development.

Boyce said while Cobb leaders had the best of intentions when they presented the plan to Sandy Springs officials, it was "not handled the best way."

"It's very important for the county chairman to talk to counterparts in another city and another county to ensure they are aware of what the proposal is before they chance have to respond," he said.

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