Atlanta Arena Developer Encouraged by Recent NHL Expansion Buzz

An NHL expansion team in Texas is the clear frontrunner right now, but Atlanta, along with Arizona, is being considered according to reports, as Atlanta continues to push for a new franchise.

“The expansion buzz is genuinely energizing, and what we’re seeing play out at the league level reinforces what we’ve believed for a while – the NHL is serious about growth, and Atlanta is a focal point of the conversation,” a Jamestown spokesperson told The Hockey Writers when asked for a comment.

North Point Mall in Alpharetta, Ga., a suburb just north of Atlanta, is the target site for a development that would include a proposed NHL-sized arena of 20,000 seats and a community ice center, along with a multi-use development around it. It is being developed by Jamestown LP, a company is behind multiple sites in the Atlanta area.

Alpharetta remains one of two sites that could house an NHL team, along with The Gathering at South Forsyth development, which is six miles north of Alpharetta. Krause Sports and Entertainment is spearheading that development and would own the NHL team that plays there.

The North Point Mall site has completed one community zoning information meeting, with another scheduled for Thursday and the last meeting scheduled for August. Having that public input helps to ensure a community-friendly development is mapped out.

“There are some expected questions around traffic impact and visitor experience, along with a level of nostalgia for the mall as it stands today–comments and questions we will address throughout the community input process. Overall, we felt a sense of curiosity and excitement from the community,” the same Jamestown spokesperson said.

It’s still unclear which of the two developments is the frontrunner for NHL expansion as they continue to make their case. Eventually, the NHL must decide if one of them is the right choice.

Those invested in the South Forsyth development have said the NHL could contact them in the next couple of months. Forsyth County Commissioner Alfred John told the Forsyth County News in late June that things “appear to be moving the right direction.”

Jamestown LP didn’t comment on whether there was any recent communication with Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment, the prospective ownership group for the Alpharetta project led by Anson Carter. They also didn’t mention what the plan would be for the development if they are not awarded an expansion team. Instead, they have emphasized that they remain motivated.

“The NHL has been clear about what checks the boxes for expansion, and we’re actively working to demonstrate that strength on all fronts,” the Jamestown spokesperson said.

The following groups did not reply to my request for comment by the time of publication:

• The Gathering at South Forsyth
• Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce

NHL Expansion With or Without Atlanta

With two development projects in the works, Atlanta continues to be in the discussion for NHL expansion. However, that would require a $2 billion expansion fee. The implication right now is that both groups plan to build an arena, but they don’t have the money the NHL requires to receive a franchise.

The NHL is in expansion mode, and right now, the NHL is in a six-month evaluation process with Houston as well. One group is showing they can check off all the boxes that the NHL needs. Neither group in Atlanta has yet.

We learned with the Vegas Golden Knights and throughout the 1980s that the NHL is OK with having an odd number of teams. If Houston is the only city to make a convincing case, then the league will be 33 teams for as long as it takes for the next city to make their successful bid.

The Atlanta market has had two NHL teams in the past that folded. They’ve been without a team since the Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg and became the Jets after the 2010-11 season. The third team could be the charm, but we’ll have to wait and see if the NHL is convinced.