Alpharetta approves North Point project with NHL arena, eyes Fulton support

Alpharetta, this week, approved redevelopment of the declining North Point Mall property. Developer Jamestown plans to transform the nearly 100-acre site into a mixed-use sports and entertainment district. The redevelopment would include a 20,000-seat NHL arena if the league awards an expansion franchise to the Atlanta market and the Alpharetta site is selected.

Alpharetta is already a model for redevelopment drawing officials from cities outside of Georgia to study its growth. The North Point project could elevate Alpharetta onto an even larger stage. “This puts Alpharetta into the global conversation anywhere you go,” Jamestown Managing Director Tim Perry said during a public hearing with Alpharetta City Council last Monday.

In a split vote of 4-3, council approved a North Point Mall Master Plan amendment to rezone the property from planned shopping center to mixed use. The completed project would bring 565,000-square feet of restaurants and retail, 750,000 square feet of office space, a hotel, performing arts center, and nearly 1400 apartment units. Jamestown Managing Director Tim Perry presented video imagery of how the redeveloped North Point Mall property could look.

(Image courtesy city of Alpharetta.) Before the vote, Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin said he believes Forsyth County is seeking to emulate Alpharetta’s growth, and noted the county is vying for an NHL franchise through plans for The Gathering at South Forsyth. Gilvin said Alpharetta stands to benefit if a professional hockey arena is built in Fulton County rather than Forsyth County. He said he has met with Fulton County commissioners about potential participation in the North Point tax allocation district.

“Every one of them understands how important it is for the hockey arena to be in Fulton County, not Forsyth. They have indicated that if we approve the project and identify the project and clarify the terms, they’ll participate.” The completed project would bring 565,000-square feet of restaurants and retail, 750,000 square feet of office space, a hotel, performing arts center, and nearly 1400 apartment units. (Image courtesy of city of Alpharetta.) County participation could increase the amount of future property tax revenue available through the TAD to help fund infrastructure projects.

“What that means is we’re not just using Alpharetta’s small tax receipts to fund anything in that cor…