Board approves funds for new Fort McPherson road

A new road will be built to the Veterans Administration medical facilities at Fort McPherson, to replace an existing route that will become part of the new Tyler Perry Studios complex.

Board members of Atlanta’s economic development agency, Invest Atlanta, voted unanimously Thursday to approve a $510,000 grant for construction of the nearly 1,000-foot-long road, curbs and sidewalks. The funds will come from the Campbellton Road Tax Allocation District.

The total cost of the new road is expected to be $610,000, with the remainder paid for by the McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority (MILRA).

The new road will also serve as the basis for a planned street grid on the site.

Perry and MILRA closed on a $30 million deal in late June. The actor, writer, producer and director will ultimately control 330 of the fort’s 488 acres. MILRA will keep about 145 acres for future redevelopment. The VA also controls property on site.

Last month, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported documents submitted to the Army show Perry's plans include an amphitheater and a museum on his property, in addition to land for soundstages and corporate offices.

Also on Thursday, the Invest Atlanta board approved $50,000 that will go toward funding an Atlanta Regional Commission Livable Cities Initiative master plan for the area.