The Georgia Horse Racing Coalition, a group of business and civic leaders dedicated to bringing horse racing to Georgia, unveiled plans Jan. 16 for a mixed-use racetrack development designed by architectural design firm Populous.

If horse racing is approved by voters in the state, construction of the track would begin immediately and would be expected to take two years, the GHRC said in a press release. A site for the facility has yet to be determined.

The cost of the development was not disclosed.

"Our vision has always been for more than just a racetrack in Georgia," said GHRC president Dean Reeves. "Our goal is to reinvent horse racing by combining a racetrack with a mixed-use development and park to create the ultimate fan experience at no expense to taxpayers. If horse racing is approved by voters, Georgia would become the home of a state-of-the-art track that is just as innovative as the new facilities for the Falcons and Braves."

Populous, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., has designed more than 2,000 projects worth a combined $30 billion, including racetracks on five continents. Populous projects include Ascot Racecourse in Great Britain, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Braves' new Sun Trust Park in Atlanta, and Yankee Stadium. 

"What makes this design so unique is that on race days, the Georgia facility is a fully activated, high-tech experience connecting fans and racing like no other racetrack in the world, but on non-race days the park is a destination for concerts, festivals, dining, shopping, public events, and other activities," Reeves said.

"Our hope is that Georgia voters understand that no taxpayer dollars will be needed to build a track and more than 5,000 jobs will be created through this development, and they will urge their legislators to support our bill to bring horse racing to Georgia," said GHRC vice president Jack Damico.