NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Alpharetta City Council has approved a plan to redevelop North Point Mall into a massive entertainment district with an arena to lure a National Hockey League team.
Atlanta-based developer Jamestown LP wants to transform the property into a mixed-use property that includes apartments, a hotel, restaurants, retail, a theater and a hockey complex.
The city council debated the plans and heard public comments for hours before approving the plan, 4-3, just after 1 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Mixed reaction from neighbors and next steps in the project, LIVE on Channel 2 Action News This Morning from 4:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
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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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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.
City Administrator Chris 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 told Channel 2’s Bryan Mims ahead of the vote. “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.