Forsyth County, GA – April 25, 2023 – The development team members representing the planned world-class entertainment hub, The Gathering at South Forsyth, formally introduced the project at the Forsyth County Commission work session today, April 25, 2023.
On April 18, the development team filed a Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) with Forsyth County, which is required for large-scale developments that will have regional effects beyond the local government jurisdiction. Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs (DCA) established procedures to review large-scale projects to improve communication and provide a way to assess potential impacts before conflicts arise. At the same time, local government autonomy is preserved since the host government maintains the authority to make the final decision on whether a proposed development will move forward.
As part of today’s County Commission work session, the development team presented a more complete vision for the world-class entertainment hub for North Georgia. The Gathering at South Forsyth will feature:1.2-mile connective trail along the Big Creek Greenway 1.6 M SF of office and retail space750,000 SF of arena space with a capacity of 18,500 seats100,000 SF community center7,500 SF fire station450 hotel rooms with meeting space2,400 residential unitsA range of family-friendly entertainment, retail and dining experiencesDeck parkingOpen community spaces with several water featuresAnd moreVernon Krause, founder of Krause Auto Group and long-time Forsyth County resident, wanted to give back to the community by creating a unique mixed-use project that will provide a gathering spot for a range of activities – shopping, dining, exploring and more. In addition, the county’s demographics also supported the location selection. In fact, according to Forsyth County’s 2022 annual report, the county’s population increased 132% from 2000 to 2019 while Georgia’s population grew 27%. The latest U.S. Census projection puts Forsyth County at more than 260,000 residents, making it Georgia’s fastest-growing county this century. Forsyth County also has the largest fiber optic cable pipeline in the Southeast and has attracted national and international businesses, including Solvay Specialty Polymers, LLC (Belgium), Hoover Precision Products (Japan), Dieffenbacher North America (Germany) and Siemans Mobility (Germany), which are diversifying job opportunities and driving growth for the region. Furthermore, Forsyth County boasts the fastest-growing Asian population in the U.S. A significant proportion of this population has secured employment at major national and international corporations located in the county. “Our county has grown and diversified over the past 10+ years. A development of this magnitude will not only change outdated perceptions but also create even greater opportunities for the people of this community,” said District 5 Commissioner Laura Semanson. “The numbers speak for themselves. Our growth, new residents, average income levels, new county services – they all point to Forsyth County being a thriving community that can support a world-class entertainment hub like The Gathering,” she added. The Gathering at South Forsyth is located at the intersection of Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Union Hill Road along Georgia 400. The site was originally zoned for a regional mall development more than 15 years ago that was never realized. The Gathering at South Forsyth development team includes Dovin Ficken LLC, legal counsel; Stafford Sports, the owner’s representative; Nelson, land planning; Greenberg Traurig, legal counsel; JLL, real estate advisors; SCI Architects, arena architects, Kimley-Horn, civil engineering; and Stone Planning, economic impact research. #About The Gathering at South Forsyth
The Gathering at South Forsyth is a 100-acre mixed-use development designed to be a world-class Entertainment Hub and the gateway into South Forsyth County, Georgia. To learn more, go to the website, or follow on Facebookand Instagram.
Click here to download media assets. All designs are subject to county approval.To watch a recording of the work session, visit the Forsyth County website.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Sharon Goldmacher
communications 21, on behalf of The Gathering at South Forsyth
sgoldmacher@c21pr.com
404.814.1330ORJamie Donaldson
communications 21, on behalf of The Gathering at South Forsyth
jdonaldson@c21pr.com
404.814.1330