The Gathering at South Forsyth explained

Stadium Name:The Gathering at South Forsyth
Logo Image:File:Alpharetta_Arena.jpg
Location:Alpharetta, Georgia
Coordinates:34.1035°N -84.2344°W
Broke Ground:TBD
Opened:TBD
Operator:Krause Sports & Entertainment
Cost:$700 million
Architect:FRCH Design Worldwide
Project Manager:ASM Global
Capacity:18,500
Type:Arena

The Gathering at South Forsyth is a proposed mixed-use development in the Atlanta metropolitan area to be located in Forsyth County, Georgia near the city of Alpharetta. The centerpiece of the development is an 18,000-seat arena, intended to bring a National Hockey League franchise back to the metro Atlanta area.

The Gathering at South Forsyth is modeled after The Battery Atlanta, a mixed-use development in Cobb County anchored by Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball.

History

In 2023, rumors of an NHL team returning to Atlanta began to emerge from ESPN analyst John Buccigross as hints were dropped about Atlanta coming back to the NHL for the first time since the Atlanta Thrashers left in 2011.[1]

On April 17, 2023, Vernon Krause, owner of Krause Sports & Entertainment, announced plans to build an entertainment center called The Gathering at South Forsyth which includes an arena built for a potential NHL team. The Gathering is planned to be built on an undeveloped 1000NaN0 tract of land originally zoned for a shopping center at the intersection of Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Union Hill Road near the Fulton–Forsyth County line. If built, the arena would sit 18,000 for hockey and 20,000 for concerts.[2] A week later, on April 25, the Forsyth County Board approved plans to move forward with the project.[3]

Then in December 2023, fellow ESPN analyst Kevin Weekes revealed more details on The Gathering at South Forsyth which said the plans would move forward.[4] In January 2024, The Forsyth County voted 4 to 1 to move plans forward again on the massive complex which would cost $2 billion on the condition that Krause secures an NHL franchise.[5] KSE held a public forum on the Forsyth campus of Lanier Technical College on March 19, 2024 to get input from Forysth County residents regarding The Gathering development, ahead of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners meeting the following week.[6] Although the Board of Commissioners approved a revised memorandum of understanding during their March 26 meeting, Krause expressed disappointment over last-minute changes to the MOU.[7]

In March 2024, details on the cost of the arena came out which said that the arena would cost $700 million and that ASM Global would manage the arena, a group that has managed other arenas such as, T-Mobile Arena and Crypto.com Arena.[8]

Also in March, former NHL player Anson Carter and his new group Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment revealed a competing bid for a potential Atlanta NHL expansion team; Carter's proposal would be located at the site of the North Point Mall, 60NaN0 south of The Gathering at South Forsyth site.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023-03-05 . Insiders hint at 2 new NHL expansion teams. . 2024-03-20. HockeyFeed.
  2. Web site: Planned Forsyth County development could feature 750,000-square-foot arena. Atlanta News First. April 17, 2023. March 20, 2024.
  3. Web site: Klein . Zach . EXCLUSIVE: $1 billion arena with development bigger than the Battery proposed in north metro . WSB-TV . March 21, 2024 . April 17, 2023.
  4. Web site: Arena project 'full speed' ahead in hopes of landing NHL franchise . Urbanize Atlanta . December 29, 2023 . January 27, 2024.
  5. Web site: Members of Forsyth County development 'The Gathering' meet with NHL about potential team. 11 Alive. January 31, 2024 . March 20, 2024.
  6. Web site: Alcorn . Cody . Dozens of residents let their voices be heard on possible NHL franchise at The Gathering in Forsyth . WXIA-TV . April 3, 2024 . March 20, 2024.
  7. Web site: Proposed entertainment hub, arena in Forsyth County hits roadblock after developer disagreement . Atlanta News First . April 3, 2024 . March 27, 2024.
  8. Web site: The Gathering at South Forsyth selects group that manages Las Vegas, LA arenas to help develop arena. WSB-TV. March 14, 2024. March 20, 2024.
  9. Web site: Martin . Maria . Group makes formal move to bring NHL expansion team to metro Atlanta—Here's where they want it . WXIA-TV . March 21, 2024 . March 12, 2024.