Judge approves bonds to finance new Braves stadium

ATLANTA -- A judge has approved plans to issue up to $397 million in public bonds to finance a new stadium for the Atlanta Braves in the city's northern suburbs.<br /> <br /> The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports ( http://on-ajc.com/WRQ7HA ) Cobb County Superior Court Judge Robert Leonard II overruled 12 legal objections brought by residents who opposed using taxpayer-backed bonds for the stadium. He issued his opinion Friday afternoon.<br /> <br /> Leonard's opinion said the baseball stadium is a legitimate public expense and that the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority has a legal right to issue the bonds.<br /> <br /> The new Braves stadium, which has a total budget of $622 million, is scheduled to open in 2017.