City may appeal court decision to help lure movie studios to downtown (Atlanta: 2014)

[LynnHarris1]

ATLANTA - Discussions about movie studio development may lead city leaders to appeal another court decision ruling in favor of Clark Atlanta University.

This week, an appeals court ruled a 13-acre portion of Morris Brown College’s campus belongs to Clark Atlanta University, and not the city, despite a 2014 purchase by the city’s economic development arm, Invest Atlanta.

The ruling is the latest chapter in a three-year land dispute that goes back to Morris Brown’s bankruptcy and premium property that sits across from the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The property includes Gaines Hall, one of Atlanta’s oldest buildings, and the college’s dilapidated Herndon Stadium.

“The city of Atlanta made a huge investment and wiped away all of the debt from Morris Brown,” said Reed, speaking of the city’s $10 million contribution to the 25-acre property sale. Another undisputed portion was purchased by a nearby church.

While the city has never discussed its plans for the property, Reed told investigative reporter Nicole Carr that Hollywood has shown interest in setting up shop.

“There are a number of folks who have approached us about turning that into a major motion picture studio directly connected into downtown,” Reed said. “I also think it would activate the Atlanta University schools who already have strong communication programs. That’s one of the ideas that’s been discussed certainly in the last six months.”

When Carr relayed the message to Johnson, he said he’d never heard of the talks..."

SOURCE: City may appeal court decision to help lure movie studios to downtown | WSB-TV