New Hockey Arena At Alpharetta Mall OK'ed By Planning Commission

ALPHARETTA, GA — A new hockey arena could be coming to Alpharetta after the local planning commission recently approved redeveloping North Point Mall, WSB-TV reported Monday.

After a 4-3 passage by the commission, the measure will be presented to the Alpharetta City Council on Aug. 24, Appen Media reported.

Plans to reshape the North Point Circle mall began in March when property owner New York Life linked with developer Jamestown to file a rezoning application, Urbanize Atlanta reported.

The mall, constructed in the 1990s, could reportedly be transformed into a site a 20,000-seat arena that could attract the National Hockey League.

During the recent planning commission, local residents in Alpharetta reportedly supported the project.

Karen Richard was one of three commissioners who reportedly voted to strike down the measure.

“I understand this is a regional draw and a regional development,” she said in the Appen Media report. “But at the same time, it is critical for the city to create a development that is additive to Alpharetta and continues to move our city forward.”

If it reaches final approval, the North Point development will reportedly include the following:

• A 4,000-seat music hall and performing arts center
• A 2,000-seat community hockey rink
• A 500-seat movie theater
• A 45,000-square-foot hotel conference center
• Full-service, hybrid flex-stay and select-service hotels with a combined 850 rooms
• 1,385 multifamily units for rent

The last time Georgia had a NHL team was in 2011, marking the end of the Atlanta Thrashers.