For years, the Pratt-Pullman train yards have sat there dilapidated, a destination for the odd movie crew or a stream of graffiti artists.

During that time, several groups and developers have expressed interest in making something out of the 27-acre state-owned property, an east Atlanta site that includes numerous historic structures. The surrounding Kirkwood neighborhood is now a hot destination and the property was almost begging for something to happen.

Finally, the state put the land up for sale and this month went with a Hollywood producer’s offer of $8 million. He wants to go with a studio. And homes. And businesses. And green space.

Sounds cool, although two of the other developers — Atlanta-based firms — argue the state somehow was suddenly in a hurry to get rid of the property and even bent the process to help the moviemaker, costing state taxpayers a bunch of money. Why?

Read the full story on MyAJC.com.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Amber Hicks’ father, Mark Boggs (center), hugs Hicks’ cousin Kirstyn Bauer upon hearing the life sentence for Matthew Lanz on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Lanz was convicted a day earlier in the 2021 killings of Hicks and her husband, Justin, in their Acworth home. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. 
(Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez