Business & Finance
Atlanta-area city council approves redevelopment plan featuring NHL-ready arena
The Alpharetta City Council voted 4-3 to approve a mixed-use entertainment district, bolstering one of two local bids to bring professional hockey back to the region.
The short version
- The Alpharetta City Council narrowly approved a redevelopment plan for North Point Mall that includes a 20,000-seat arena capable of hosting an NHL team.
- This proposal is one of two competing projects in the northern Atlanta suburbs aiming to secure an NHL expansion franchise.
- The NHL has not yet officially announced any expansion plans or awarded a franchise to the Atlanta market.
Key facts
- The Alpharetta City Council voted 4-3 to approve the redevelopment of North Point Mall into a mixed-use entertainment district.[Fox News]
- The proposed development features a 20,000-seat arena, a 4,000-seat music hall, a 2,000-seat community hockey rink, a 1,100-seat movie theater, and two hotels.[Fox News]
- The project is a partnership between real estate firm Jamestown, site owner New York Life, and developer Machete Group.[Fox News]
- A competing group is proposing another NHL-ready venue in nearby Forsyth County, located about seven miles away.[Fox News]
- Atlanta has previously hosted two NHL franchises, the Flames (1972–1980) and the Thrashers (1999–2011), both of which relocated to Canadian cities.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- It is not yet known if or when the NHL will decide to expand to a 33rd or 34th franchise, or which of the competing Atlanta-area proposals would be selected if expansion occurs.[Fox News]