$26M Tyler Perry, Fort McPherson Sale Approved

The Fort McPherson sale to Tyler Perry is going forward.

A city-appointed board will buy the 488-acre former U.S. Army base for $26 million, sell most of it to Perry and turn what’s left over into mixed use development.

Perry will pay $30 million for 330 acres of the property to the McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority.

With the deal approved, the next big steps will be planning the redevelopment of the 144 acres the city will get to keep from the sale, Brian Hooker with the McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority said.

“We anticipate building a vibrant historic village, mixed use retail development supporting Tyler Perry’s film studio, office space and market rate apartments along with public space and green space. All in this part of town that hasn’t seen this kind of redevelopment in over a generation,” said Hooker.

The board said the sale to Perry could be complete by the end of Friday.

During a public comment session, residents and local business owners were largely resigned to the approval. Many worried openly about economic inclusion and the impact of new apartments.

“When you leave here today, you’re going to go back to where you all live. You won’t have to deal with the effects of the decisions you all are making,” said Alan Holmes of West End.

Holmes said southwest Atlanta has been kicked around for too long to not be involved in the planning.