The NHL has failed twice in Atlanta.
There seems to be a little movement in the quest of returning the National Hockey League to the Atlanta market. Alpharetta Sports and Entertainment Group has received the word to go ahead with its bid from Alpharetta City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom. He said lawmakers have approved a tax allocation district clearing the way for a multi-billion-dollar mixed use development with an arena at the North Point Mall. “We don’t want it to be just another city center. We want it to be North Point,” Lagerbloom said. “All of the studies that we’ve done point to 17,000-18,000 seats that is the modern-day arena size.” But there is little else known about the project.
Meanwhile, about six miles north of Alpharetta, Vernon Krause continues his push to land an NHL franchise. Krause wants to build an arena in South Forsyth. Forsyth County has given the green light to Krause to develop an arena-village. Forsyth County Chairman Alfred John put out a proposed arena statement. “The NHL has implemented updated expansion criteria, establishing a specific set of requirements that prospective markets must satisfy to be considered. These standards reflect an ongoing evolution in the league’s process, and we remain actively engaged with all relevant parties, with the full support of the Forsyth County Development Authority and the Forsyth County school board, to finalize an arrangement that not only fully complies with NHL guidelines but also best serves the interests of Forsyth County residents.” But cost might be a problem. The NHL apparently wants $2 billion from a prospective owner such as Krause. “The franchise fee has risen,” Krause said. “We’re operating under the assumption that’s what it’s going to be. That’s what we’re going to our investors with.” Krause thinks he can raise the money, if he can’t he’s out. The Atlanta expansion game continues.
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