$3 billion project designed to bring NHL back to Atlanta moves ahead
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Part of The Gathering at South Forsyth development. Rendering: Courtesy of The Gathering at South Forsyth
Forsyth County officials took another step forward this week to bring to life a massive mixed-use development aimed at bringing a professional hockey team back to metro Atlanta.
Why it matters: The Gathering at South Forsyth promises to transform a 100-acre site into a $3 billion entertainment hub whose main anchor would be an NHL arena.
- If the developer lands a franchise, it would be the first professional hockey team in Atlanta since the Thrashers departed in 2011.
The latest: County commissioners on Wednesday approved documents outlining the timeline, details and funding mechanisms of the project, which will be located on Union Hill Road near where Georgia DOT is building a new Ga. 400 interchange.
Zoom in: The Gathering at Forsyth will be constructed in four phases.
- Once built out, it will have 1.6 million square feet of office and retail space; hotels; an off-site practice rink and community ice center; connectivity to the Big Creek Greenway trail network; more than 1,000 multi-family units; and 150 single-family homes.
- Space will also be reserved for a new county fire station and sheriff's office precinct.
What they're saying: Forsyth County manager David McKee said the NHL arena will be constructed in phase one of the development.
- "Mr. [Vernon] Krause and his team are doing everything in their power to be awarded an NHL franchise to have professional hockey at this arena," said McKee, referring to the Gathering's developer.
- The county won't issue $225 million in taxpayer-backed bonds to pay for its portion of the project until developers secure an NHL franchise, McKee said.
Between the lines: Carl Hirsh, a member of the development team who represents Krause, told Axios the NHL has told them they are not looking to expand, but would think about changing course if "somebody comes to us with a great situation."
Yes, but: A Kennesaw State University economics professor is not so optimistic about whether an NHL team could return to Georgia, specifically the northern fringes of metro Atlanta.
- "There is a zero-percent chance that the NHL would put a team in this location," said J.C. Bradbury, who is critical of the use of taxpayer dollars to fund sports arena projects. "Yes, the public money is nice (though ill-advised), but the site is far too remote to be practical."
Context: Krause's proposal isn't the first development that includes bringing a hockey team to metro Atlanta.
- Officials in Alpharetta approved a $150,000 feasibility study to determine if a proposed hockey arena could be built at the site of North Point Mall.
What we're watching: It remains to be seen whether the NHL decides its worth expanding to Atlanta.