Atlanta's Big Mistake: Rushing Movie Studio Deal for Fort McPherson

Maria Saporta pens an op-ed decrying a potential deal that would allow entertainment mogul Tyler Perry to locate Tyler Perry Studios on two-thirds of the grounds at Fort McPherson in Atlanta.

Saporta is highly skeptical of Mayor Kasim Reed's support for the deal, pushing the McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority (MILRA) "to give Perry what he wants":

"That is how Atlanta has ended up with what may become known as one of the worst transactions in the city’s history. Perry is getting 330 acres for $30 million (a bargain by any measure), and he is getting the fort’s prime real estate."

As evidence of the "precious little in return" the city will get in the deal Saporta asks the following questions and others:

• "Has the city set a height restriction on how high a wall or fence Tyler Perry can build around his 330 acres to keep people out?"
• "What guarantees exist that Perry will maintain the historic properties on the site?"
• "[W]hat kind of job guarantees will Tyler Perry provide, and how many will be local residents?"

Saporta goes on to point out more of the risks involved in diving in headfirst with Tyler Perry, and offers a strategic, master planning effort led by the Integral Group in redeveloping a 165-acre Doraville GM plant as an alternative way of doing land use business.