Rouse officials confirm they are delaying a ground-breaking for six months to a year because of a sluggish leasing environment. The expected opening is 2006. Only Dallas-based Neiman Marcus has signed on as the project's lead anchor with a proposed 120,000-sf store.

The 151-acre project along GA 400 between Union Hill and McFarland Roads was tentatively scheduled to be built in three phases. The first phase, initially set for completion in 2005, would have included most of the planned retail; 100,000 sf of office; and 375 residential units. Additional retail and office, along with a 500-room hotel, were planned for completion in 2011.

Forsyth Commons would compete with the 1.5-million-sf North Point Mall in Alpharetta, GA, North Fulton County. Rouse officials confirm the mall will eventually be built and that plans for the project won't be scrapped.