DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — One lot is the subject of a million-plus dollar lawsuit filed by DeKalb County.
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County leaders say a former movie studio owner is not holding up his side of a deal to make needed upgrades to a park.
Channel 2’s Steve Gelbach went to the lot and talked with DeKalb County leaders about why they’re taking legal action now.
This fight over 40 acres of mostly greenspace has been going on almost five years
It’s part of Intrenchment Creek Park, next to the new Atlanta Public Safety Training Facility. The former entrance here has been barricaded, abandoned and once used by protesters.
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DeKalb leaders announced a lawsuit, filed Thursday morning after a land swap so nearby movie studio, then called Blackhall, could expand.
But the studio got sold and the land just sat, while county commissioners moved to reverse the exchange, but failed.
They feared new owners would sell to other developers, building a data-center or using the land for other industrial use.
The lawsuit says Blackhall promised to preserve the greenspace, along with pay the county $1.5 million for improvements.
The county went ahead and built a new park on adjacent land off Constitution Road, opening last weekend.
But DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson says they now need payment for breech of contract.
“This action is about responsible government, as well as accountability,” she said. “It is about making clear that agreements with DeKalb County carry obligations that must be taken seriously.”
The current studio owners have no part in the suit and have nothing to do with the land swap completed before they took over.
Gelbach emailed and reached out by phone and text to former Blackhall owner Ryan Millsap but has not been able to reach him for a statement or response to the lawsuit or what plans he has for this 40 acres.
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