ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin called out True North 400 Executive Director Brandon Beach Nov. 6 for what he views as working to promote business in Forsyth County.
In an October interview on Atlanta Community Profiles with Lou Wieland, Beach shared his anticipation of a National Hockey League arena at The Gathering at South Forsyth, a venue that Alpharetta had been seeking to help revitalize its North Point Corridor.
At the Nov. 6 City Council meeting, Gilvin issued a statement about Beach’s comments during the interview.
Gilvin noted Beach serves as vice chairman on the Fulton County Development Authority, and he questioned why an official who supports economic development in North Fulton would encourage a project in Forsyth County.
“It’s very frustrating,” Gilvin said.
In an Oct. 25 email to Beach, the Alpharetta City Council and city staff, Gilvin questioned why the executive director publicly expressed support for a development outside of True North 400’s boundaries. True North, a community improvement district, represents businesses and commercial property owners in a band that roughly follows Ga. 400 from Mansell Road north to McGinnis Ferry Road through Roswell, Alpharetta and Milton. The businesses tax themselves to help fund economic development initiatives within the CID’s boundaries.
“Could you please explain to me why you are pushing for an enormous economic development project outside of the CID district which would directly compete with commercial properties actually in the North Fulton CID and the City of Alpharetta?” Gilvin wrote in the email.
As of Nov. 13, Gilvin said Beach has not responded to his inquiry.
“Now, if he has a legitimate reason for working against our property owners, then I would expect him to at least share that with me,” Gilvin said at the Nov. 6 meeting.
The Gathering…
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