Atlanta

Protesters want historic Pullman Yard saved

By Rikki Klaus
By Rikki Klaus

ATLANTA — Local residents are protesting over the sale of a historical piece of property in northeast Atlanta.

The Pratt-Pullman Yard has buildings that are over 100 years old.

Now, the state of Georgia is looking to sell this historic property on Rogers Street to the highest bidder. But critics want more regulations in the sale.

A protest was held Tuesday over the future of the yards. The 27-acre property houses buildings that date back to 1904.

"They built entire factories," Charles Lawrence, of the Atlanta Preservation Alliance, told Channel 2’s Rikki Klaus.

The state of Georgia is looking to sell this historic property on Rogers Street to the highest bidder.

"It was a munitions plant in World War I," Atticus LeBlanc, of Pullman Historic Development, said.

The yards also served as a repair facility for train cars.

More recently, filmmakers have shot movies there, such as "The Hunger Games."

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Now, the state has listed the property without providing any framework to preserve the buildings.

Lawrence wants the buildings to be redeveloped.

"It's known that you can do some amazing things. You can do Ponce City Market, Krog Street," Lawrence told Kraus.

He worries the highest bidder will come in and start from scratch.

"This is Atlanta, so I wouldn't be surprised, but I would be really heartbroken," Lawrence said.

The state issued a statement that reads in part: “The State has adopted laws that govern the State's duties of ownership of property, and the Georgia Building Authority has fully complied with the duties and responsibilities of ownership of Pullman Yard.”

Greg Ramsey, with the Pullman Preserve, wants to protect the tree canopy.

"What we don't have is green space of this magnitude left," Ramsey said.

LeBlanc told Kraus he is working on his bid for the property now, envisioning a commercial and entrepreneurial space, plus some residential space.

"The primary goal is to save the buildings," LeBlanc said. "I think it would be a real shame to lose that."

The state has set a minimum bid of $5.6 million dollars. A bidder's conference is scheduled for next Wednesday. The deadline for bidding is April 4.

Cox Media Group

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