The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Over the last 100 years, even as Atlanta’s borders swelled and its population exploded, the old Lakewood Fairgrounds escaped a sea of cement and a wave of condos and shopping centers.
Always, there were other ideas: a weekend getaway for the city’s elite, an agricultural fairground, a race track for horses, a race track for cars, a monthly antique market, a concert venue, a movie set, even housing for 1996 Olympics security personnel.
On the list of could-have-but-weren’ts: a Ford Mustang museum, a zoo, a city cemetery, a mixed-use development complete with its own charter school.
Indeed, a film studio planned for the old fairgrounds is the latest in a long line of ideas, schemes and plans laid out for the 110-acre parcel of land on Atlanta’s Southside.
On Monday, the city council welcomed the newest plan, approving a multi-million dollar, 50-year lease for the Lakewood Fairgrounds to be used as film studios and sound stages. EUE/Screen Gems will pay $250,000 per year in rent until it jumps to $600,000 per year in 10 years.
City leaders hope it will create more than 1,000 jobs.
ajc full story
No comments:
Post a Comment