Upon completion, the project will have used over 600 tons of steel and the 150,000 square-foot multi-use facility will include a multi-sport gymnasium, 30,000 square feet of retail and up to nine restaurants. The project also houses a performing arts theater that will accommodate close to 400 seats, one of the largest in the metro area. Another highlight of the development will be the roof-top bar that will overlook The Bowl, the city’s premiere outdoor amphitheater.
The E Center has already piqued the interest of many commercial tenants. Several retailers and restaurateurs have expressed a strong interest in leasing space in this state-of-the art establishment, and the city is exploring options that will best fit the vision of the downtown master plan.
Sugar Hill Mayor Steve Edwards is confident that, upon completion, the E Center will draw more people into the “Sweet City.” His goal, alongside the City Council, is for the city to become a destination location. Sugar Hill already draws thousands of people each year to its impressive concert series, Sparks in the Park, Sugar Rush and other events and amenities. The E Center, along with these attractions, will not only attract businesses to Sugar Hill, but will provide a place where people want to spend their time. Mayor Edwards gave some insight to Sugar Hill’s future, saying, “As not only the Mayor, but as a member of this community, I see Sugar Hill quickly becoming the gold standard for the live, work, play mentality. The community has expressed interest in a destination downtown, and so the residents and surrounding community are really the inspiration behind the E Center. The City Council and staff members have worked hard to bring this vision of a vibrant, walkable destination downtown to fruition. I am looking forward to a night of dining, shopping and entertainment in downtown Sugar Hill.”
The city is a growing community with over 21,500 residents, now serving a much larger market with the recent completion of the widening of Georgia Highway 20, the only direct east-west route to Georgia 400 from I-85 and I-985. Sugar Hill is literally sitting at the crossroads of commerce, yet many people still don’t know where the city is or what it has to offer. The leaders at Sugar Hill are certainly changing that mindset.
The city’s physical investments, as well as quality of life downtown investments such as the concert series, festivals and the largest outdoor ice rink in the south each winter, have helped “activate” Sugar Hill’s downtown every day of the year. These investments and the resulting downtown activation have helped attract over $250 million of private sector projects planned around downtown. On the horizon for the city is a senior living center with memory care wrapped with retail along Highway 20. Sugar Hill is also looking forward to developments that include more retail, restaurants, high-end townhomes and luxury condominiums spread throughout the downtown. Plans are also in place for a hotel and conference center overlooking The Bowl.
Mayor Edwards proudly proclaims the city’s motto of “Go Big or Go Home,” and this is not bravado. They live it every day and are committed to making Sugar Hill the premier city in Georgia to live, work, play, entertain, engage and invest.