My name is Luke Crawford, I live in Forsyth County and I work to connect land owners and developers through my company Crawford Lands, LLC.

The Forsyth County commissioners have approved advancing plans for a new multi-billion-dollar arena along with an accompanying live-work-play district.

By a vote of 4-1, the commissioners have agreed to proceed with a binding memorandum of understanding with Krause Sports and Entertainment, the developers behind The Gathering at South Forsyth, thus allowing the project to proceed. Over a hundred individuals attended the meeting on Tuesday evening, expressing interest in the potential job opportunities the project could bring, although some remained doubtful about its ability to attract a National Hockey League team back to the area.

Positioned at the southern tip of the county, the new development will encompass hotels, residences, and dining establishments, with the centerpiece being an 18,000-seat hockey arena. The proposed live-work-play hub is slated for Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Union Hill Road, approximately a mile from Georgia 400.

Despite two previous professional hockey teams leaving the metro Atlanta area, namely the Flames and the Thrashers, and no NHL plans for expansion or relocation to Atlanta, the developers remain optimistic about the chosen site and their potential team prospects.

In the event that securing an NHL team proves unfeasible, developer Vernon Krause acknowledges the necessity of reassessing the project. Krause aims to have the arena ready for the 2027 NHL season.