Public weighs in on hand count of ’24 ballots ► PAGE 3
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County libraries set free lectures on Black history
County Attorney Ken Jarrard emphasized the terms are nonbinding. The Gathering at South Forsyth is a planned $2 billion mixed-use development off Union Hill Road, Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Ga. 400. At a Forsyth County Board of Commissioners work session in April, The Gathering staff first presented conceptual plans for the project,
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Public Library system will celebrate Black History Month with a series of free lectures throughout February. The Sharon Forks Library will host “Jackie Robinson: A Bright Star Touring Theatre Production” from 11 a.m. to noon Feb. 16. The live children’s theater production will highlight how Robinson broke the color barrier in professional baseball. Georgia State University archivist Brittany Newberry and professor Booker W. Edwards Jr. will present “Atlanta Celebrates 50 Years of Hip-Hop” from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Sharon Forks Library. Guests are invited to learn about the history and influence of hip-hop in Atlanta. The Cumming Library will feature “National Black Radio Hall of Fame,” a history of Black radio and the first Black-owned radio station in Atlanta, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 18. Speakers from Leadership Forsyth, the Forsyth Descendants Scholarship Organization, the Community Remembrance Project of Forsyth County and the Atlanta History Center will facilitate the discussion “Forsyth 1912: Working to Heal” from 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 29 at the Post Road Library. The event series is free and open to the public.
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— Shelby Israel
SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA
A crowd watches Ernst and Young’s presentation on the economic feasibility and impact of The Gathering at South Forsyth at a Forsyth County Commission meeting Jan. 31. Commissioners agreed to contribute $390 million to the project if developers secure an NHL franchise.
County offers to float $390 million bond if The Gathering locks up NHL franchise By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County commissioners have tentatively agreed to contribute $390 million to The Gathering at South Forsyth if developers secure a franchise with the National Hockey League. The county has agreed to foot $350 million for the construction of a 700,000-square-foot arena and $40
million for an arena parking deck. But, the county’s commitment is entirely contingent on an NHL team cementing its presence at The Gathering. At a called meeting Jan. 31, the Forsyth County Commission voted 4-1 to adopt an agreement with The Gathering developers. Commissioner Todd Levent cast the dissenting vote. The agreement outlines each party’s commitment to the project, but