New Film, Entertainment Hub To Replace Doraville's Former GM Site

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — Thousands of drivers pass the former General Motors assembly plant along Interstate 285 in Doraville, which closed in 2008. The deadened lot will soon see some rejuvenation, as an Atlanta media company plans to transform it into a new 128-acre film and entertainment hub.

The Doraville Downtown Development Authority unanimously voted Monday night to transfer 128 acres of the property, called the Assembly project, to an affiliate of Gray Television called Pearl Railroad Assembly Yard LLC, which was first reported by Bisnow.

Gray Television owns or operates TV stations and digital properties in more than 90 U.S. television markets, including Savannah, Augusta, Albany and Columbus. Bisnow reported that The Gipson Co. is also a partner in the purchase and will be the primary developer.

Gray Television's plans for the 128-acre purchase includes "film production studios and research and development," according to the development authority's agenda from Monday. A site plan for the first phase of the mixed-use development includes at least 10 film studios across 17 acres, and a separate building for "e-gaming, digital media and robotics."

Gipson plans to use some of the features that Integral Group, the prior developer of the property, had already started. This includes plans for 150 townhomes and a nearly 850-unit apartment project, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reported.

The development authority owns the property as part of a 2016 deal with Integral Group, which included $1.5 billion in bonds approved to an Integral subsidiary to make improvements to the former GM plant. This deal also included a 35 percent property tax break over 30 years.

“The City of Doraville is thrilled to partner with Gray Television on this historic development,” Doraville Mayor Joseph Geierman said. “We have been working with Gray for months to reimagine the old General Motors plant. Together, we have developed a plan which will attract thousands of new jobs and millions of dollars of new investments. Our plan represents a huge leap into the future of our city.”

Read more about the project and site from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.