County staffers tell GlobeSt.com Pan has told Gwinnettcommissioners the project's final development cost could reach $300million. Pan couldn't be reached by GlobeSt.com's publicationdeadline to learn additional details of the project.

However, county sources tell GlobeSt.com the architect'sconceptual plans show Asian Village Atlanta would include an Asianhistory museum, performing arts center, Chinese garden, retailstores, restaurants, a hotel, sports complex, residential condosand office buildings. Pan sees the project as a major touristattraction that could create up to 3,000 new jobs in the area,according to county sources.

Pan's credentials include designing high-rise apartments andcondos in China; a subdivision in Sugar Hill, GA; and a publicChinese garden in St. Louis, according to Atlanta area sources in aposition to know. Those sources tell GlobeSt.com the 106 acresenvisioned for the project could require special zoning status bythe county. To manage the project, Pan has set up the nonprofitEast West Cultural Exchange Foundation, funded by culturalministries in China.