Forsyth commissioners discuss proposal for $1B arena with development bigger than The Battery

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County commissioners got the chance to discuss a proposal for a $1 billion arena with a retail and entertainment district.

The presentation was held at 2 p.m. at The Gathering at South Forsyth work session on Tuesday.

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In a Channel 2 Action News exclusive last week, sports director Zach Klein learned how a local businessman plans to transform over 100 acres in Forsyth County into a mixed-used project that will actually be bigger than The Battery.

The multi-year, multi-billion project will feature new restaurants, shops and residential spaces along with a $1 billion arena.

Klein spoke with Forsyth County Commissioner Laura Semanson, who presented the Gathering at South Forsyth proposal at Tuesday’s meeting. Klein asked if the county hopes the mixed-used development will lure a National Hockey League team back to the state.

“That’s not something that I can guarantee at this point. What I can say about it is that you know, we are positioning this development to be able to host something of that nature, as well as, you know, all of the other things that you might go down to the Benz for,” she said.

Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills expressed concern about possible financial burdens on the county.

“The devil’s in the details. I’m very concerned about approving something or even starting down the path of approving something, without knowing what is going to be asked of the county,” Mills said.

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The Gathering at South Forsyth would be built at the intersection of Union Hill Road and Ronald Reagan Boulevard. The land originally had been zoned as a regional mall more than 15 years ago.

At the time, the county agreed to infrastructure updates, including extending Ronald Reagan Blvd, widening McGinnis Ferry Road and building a new exit ramp off Georgia 400.

“Even with the old plan, there were five ingress and egress points already to the site that was planned. Plus, we’re working with GDOT to have some dedicated lane for that,” Semanson said. “So we’ll manage traffic. So we’ll have less impact on our local roads, and thoroughfares, and it’ll be easier for people to navigate on and off 400 to get to and from the project.”

The Gathering at South Forsyth is expected to cost north of $2 billion and will take three to four years to complete once the groundbreaking happens.

Leaders say Forsyth County is one of the fastest-growing counties not only in Georgia but across the country. Between 2000 and 2019, Forsyth County grew by 132% compared to a 27% population growth rate for all of Georgia, according to U.S. Census data.

Channel 2′s Justin Farmer spoke with Alex Warner, the senior vice president of economic development for Forsyth County. He says the Gathering at South Forsyth would be a game changer for the business community.

“We have the highest educated workforce in the state and have been exporting, but with this project can keep here in Forsyth and we’re excited about that,” he said.

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Lamar Wakefield is with the architectural firm for the proposed complex. Project team members have not asked the board for any taxpayer dollars or incentives.

Much of the infrastructure is in place and road improvements are planned since the site was zoned for a regional mall more than a decade ago.

The board adjourned Tuesday afternoon, agreeing to hear more from the project supporters at the next work session on May 9.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Neighbors, businesses excited about proposed Forsyth Co. arena project

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