From receiving additional funding from the State of Georgia to nearing a date for groundbreaking, the new conference center and hotel at Lanier Islands is getting closer to reality.
The project includes a 130,000-square-foot conference center with 45,000 square feet of meeting space, and a 300-room hotel with amenities that will include restaurants, two swimming pools and a boat dock for lake access.
At the May meeting of the Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority, Executive Director Bill Donohue reported that an additional $10 million was approved in the FY 2023 state budget signed by the governor.
“With this additional funding, the total state investment is $62 million,” he said. “We hope to continue the dialog with the leadership in Atlanta for additional funds in next year’s state budget to help with construction cost increases.
“LLIDA’s private partner Lake Lanier Islands Management is working out details regarding the hotel’s funding and branding, and they are getting close to making an announcement about a brand and a lender,” he said. “Very positive discussions are happening.”
Donohue also reported that the site implementation plan approval from the US Army Corps of Engineers is pending. “We hope to receive that approval within the next 60 days,” he said. “Once that happens, initial grading will begin, we hope before the end of the summer.”
LLIDA oversees the Lanier Islands’ property, which is operated by the private Lake Lanier Islands Management LLC.
