ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Alpharetta City Council will vote to make, or reject, a large development project that could change the athletic landscape of the metro area.
On Monday, the council will vote to approve or reject a redevelopment plan for North Point Mall that would transform it into a 20,000 seat hockey arena, potentially bringing a National Hockey League team to the metro.
Channel 2’s Bryan Mims was in Alpharetta, where City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom said Monday’s meeting is the first time the full council will consider the request to rezone the mall property.
If the development is approved, it would be one of the biggest projects in Alpharetta’s history.
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Even if it is approved for rezoning, there’s still no word from the NHL about bringing a franchise to the region.
The North Point Mall first opened in 1993 but its heyday is long gone.
Alpharetta leaders are working to bring a renaissance to the old mall, and turning it into an arena is an option that seems close to fruition.
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The Alpharetta Planning Commission approved redevelopment plans on a split 4-3 vote, but it’s up to the city council to finalize the decision.
“It would be a final outcome if they do take action tomorrow night,” Lagerbloom told Channel 2 Action News.
If the city says “yes,” it would mean moving forward for hundreds of hotel rooms, more than 1,300 apartments, office and retail space and of course, the 20,000 seat arena at the center of the planned mixed-use development.
“It’s very critical, because without the vote, the land use doesn’t change,” Lagerbloom said. “If the land use doesn’t change, it would remain a shopping mall.”
Jamestown is the company working to develop the property.
In a recent interview with Channel 2’s Richard Elliot, CIO Tim Perry said the project “is potentially the greatest economic impact vote maybe in the history of Alpharetta.”
However, the planning commission had conditions to allow the process for a vote to move forward, dozens, in fact.
Among them? An NHL franchise must be awarded to the site before people can occupy apartments there.
Lagerbloom said even if a pro-hockey team doesn’t come to Alpharetta, the city is ready for a North Point revival.
“The mall, a great mall, I remember the day it opened. But it’s sort of run its course,” Lagerbloom said. “And it’s prime for redevelopment opportunity, whether it’s this opportunity or a different opportunity. I think the mall itself is ready for redevelopment.”
When asked, Lagerbloom told Mims he couldn’t comment on the NHL status yet.
Another development team is trying to bring a pro-hockey team just six miles up the road in Forsyth County, as well.
The Alpharetta meeting starts Monday night at 6:30 p.m.
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