City commissioners in North Port will discuss the potential economic impact of the Atlanta Braves Spring Training Facility on the city at their Thursday meeting. Commissioner Debbie McDowell was the one who requested the topic be placed on the agenda. She told the Herald-Tribune she wants to know both the opportunity cost of committing 70 acres that at one time had been earmarked for commercial development, associated costs of inspection oversight during construction, as well as the local economic benefit. McDowell said she is hoping city staff can put together those numbers before the city commission determines how to come up with $300,000 a year for the next 30 years to help pay for debt service on the proposed stadium.
