By Daniel Dotson
Since the announcement of The Gathering at South Forsyth, a proposed $3-billion mixed-use arena project in Forsyth County, Georgia, professional hockey fans throughout the state have been waiting to learn whether the National Hockey League will return to metro Atlanta.
It would be Atlanta’s third attempt at an NHL team, and the first since 2011. Georgia was home to the Flames from 1972-1980 and the Thrashers from 1999-2011. Both teams relocated to Canada.
The initial concept for the sprawling mixed-use development, planned to be situated on 100 acres at the intersection of Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Union Hill Road – at the border of Fulton and Forsyth counties – was announced by Krause Sports and Entertainment CEO Vernon Krause in April 2023.
In total, the proposed project is expected to include:
- 1.6 million square feet of retail and office space
- 700,000-square-foot arena with 18,500 seats
- Multiple hotels with a total of 500 rooms
- 15,000-square-foot building for a new fire station and sheriff’s precinct
- 1.2 miles of connective Greenway multi-use trails
- 1,800 one- and two-bedroom apartments
- 150 single-family, detached homes
Over the past three years, state and local governments have worked alongside Krause to pass legislation and zoning ordinances that could make the arena a reality and potentially attract the NHL back to the Atlanta area.
Critical to the approval of the project was the establishment of a Tax Allocation District, or TAD, on the 100-acre property. With a TAD in place, property taxes on the Gathering property will be collected and paid directly to the balance of a $225 million bond taken out by Forsyth County for a public contribution to the arena project.
As the property’s value rises incrementally due to development, The Gathering’s increase in property taxes will pay back the County’s debt over a 20-year period.
“It does not increase property taxes for anybody,” said Forsyth County Manager David McKee in September 2024. “What it does, instead, is stimulate reinvestment for that particular area… This is a way that the residents everywhere else are not bound by the debt service that will be created by that zone.”
Once the County’s debt is paid in full, The Gathering’s property taxes will then be collected into the general funds of the County government and School District as usual.
With the help of the Georgia General Assembly, whose approval was required to put the creation of a specialty tax district on a ballot in the form of a referendum, the TAD passed with public approval during the November 2024 General Election.
The establishment of a TAD was not the only requirement for Krause to receive public funding for the arena, however.
Per an agreement approved unanimously by the Forsyth County Government, School District and Development Authority in June 2025, the County government will only contribute the $225 million investment if the NHL commits to expanding the league into Forsyth County.
Though NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has not to this date acknowledged any commitment to expand the NHL, Krause remains optimistic.
“A lot of people in this state believe we should have a hockey team,” said Krause after the June 2025 final vote. “I believe we’re going to have one.”
In addition to the potential issuance of the bond, the final approval for The Gathering ensured that, if built with public funding, Forsyth County will own the hockey arena. The Gathering will pay $1 million annually throughout a 49-year lease to occupy the arena.
Likewise, the County will collect a $2.50 tax on each ticket sold for events held in the arena.
The agreement also established a multi-phase development plan that specifies what must be constructed in one phase of development before other elements of the mixed-use project can be built. This plan was put in place to ensure that both the commercial and residential aspects of The Gathering will be adequately developed.
The four-phase plan is as follows:
Phase 1:
- 600 apartments
- 200,000-300,000 square feet of office space
- 300,000-400,000 square feet of retail space
- One hotel with 120-150 rooms
- Sheriff’s Office precinct and fire station
- 18,500-seat arena
- Two parking decks
Phase 2:
- 600 apartments
- 250,000-350,000 square feet of office space
- 200,000-300,000 square feet of retail space
- Two hotels with 250-350 rooms
Phase 3:
- 200,000-300,000 square feet of office space
Phase 4:
- 600 apartments
Since the June 2025 approval of The Gathering, Krause and Forsyth County have been in what McKee characterized as a “holding pattern,” waiting for Bettman to weigh in on the potential NHL expansion.
Though Krause had expressed hope that the NHL would announce their decision before the end of 2025, Forsyth County officials told Georgia Insider this week there has been no new movement on the matter.
Daniel is an experienced journalist who focuses primarily on government, policy, and growth and development. He has written extensive coverage about the Georgia General Assembly, local governments throughout metro Atlanta, and some of the largest economic development projects in Georgia and the southeastern United States. Daniel graduated summa cum laude from Georgia State University with a major in journalism and a minor in studio art, and he is now pursuing a law degree from GSU College of Law.
