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By: Tyler Estep

Published: December 18, 2018

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Gwinnett officials awarded Tuesday a $72.9 million contract for the construction of several sizable expansions on its Gas South District campus. 

The award was the next major step in an important project for the county — one that will be accompanied by a private development that officials hope will mirror the success of Alpharetta’s mixed-use Avalon development. 

The contract given Tuesday to Holder Construction Group LLC will put it in charge of new construction that will include nearly doubling the capacity of the campus’ convention center by adding 50,000 square feet of exhibit hall space. The existing space will be renovated — and receive a new roof — as well. A new “entrance wing” will also be built.

The neighboring performing arts center will be renovated too.

“We’re very excited to be at the point that we’re taking another step forward in terms of the financing and moving forward with the plans there,” Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash said. “I’m very excited, and I know the private sector partner is as well.”

That private sector partner is North American Properties, which is developing a sprawling 118-acre project surrounding the Gas South District campus. The numbers have been tweaked multiple times, but the development, known as “Revel,” is slated to include some 750,000 square feet of office space; 400,000 square feet of retail; a hotel; and 900 residential units. 

Those offerings are expected to include a movie theater, a grocery store and a food hall.

Ground could be broken on that project early next year.