The civilian authority overseeing the redevelopment of Fort McPherson says it’s closer to finalizing the post’s sale to filmmaker Tyler Perry.
Brian Hooker, executive director of the McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority, announced this week that the U.S. Army recently indicated it will convey the 488-acre former Army post to MILRA by the end of February.
MILRA is expected to then sell about two-thirds of the property to Tyler Perry Studios for $30 million. The filmmaker has said he wants to build a mammoth motion picture studio on the property near East Point.
Attempts to reach Tyler Perry Studios for comment were not immediately successful.
Several months have passed since Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, facing the possibility that Perry would relocate his studios to Douglas County, brokered a deal for MILRA to sell the land to the filmmaker.
Both men said last August that they hoped to close the deal in October 2014.
The project seemed in peril last month when a frustrated Perry threatened to walk away because of lack of progress, according to people familiar with the negotiations.
Within days, Gov. Nathan Deal approved Reed’s request to shake up the MILRA board, replacing a longtime member who was critical of Perry’s proposal and adding two of the mayor’s allies.
The MILRA board then quickly voted to enter a joint development agreement with the filmmaker.
Under the deal, Perry will acquire about 330 acres that include historic parade grounds and officers’ quarters, the fort’s former golf course and the former U.S. Army Reserve command building.
Civilian authorities would take control of the developed land around the Lee Street gate and much of the northern and eastern perimeters of the post, totaling about 144 acres. The remainder would be reserved for the Veterans Administration.
Hooker said MILRA is working with a technical assistance panel organized by the Urban Land Institute to develop the land outside of Perry’s control. MILRA also has received input from a community engagement subcommittee.
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