News
Atlanta Commercial Real Estate

Charles' Eminent Domain

The man who (literally) wrote the book on eminent domain in Georgia is now writing his own ticket with his own law firm. We sat down with Charles Pursley Jr. for an interview on why he started Pursley Friese Torgrimson, how the Supreme Court  impacted eminent domain, and where to watch for the next big condemnation cases in metro Atlanta.Charles was instrumental in the creation of the modern MARTA system. After a stint in the Army and Vietnam as a judge advocate, Charles came to Georgia and joined the late firm Huie Brown & Ide and was tasked with helping MARTA condemn property to develop the system, including the property that eventually became the Five Points Station (above during its 1978 construction, you were probably at the disco when this pic was snapped) and the Peachtree Center Station. Charles says MARTA's current transit-oriented development plans—where it's getting input from developers to  create mixed-use projects at various stations—has a dual purpose. "Ridership is a big part of that, and revenue is a big part of that," he tells us.Along with Stephanie Friese  and  Christian Torgrimson, Charles began his new CRE transaction and litigation 8 months ago, and is more focused on condemnation cases for  private developers. After the landmark Supreme Court decision that gave municipalities the right to condemn property for private redevelopment, Charles said Georgia had to  literally rewrite its eminent domain laws. He was instrumental in helping draft new legislation, and even wrote the bookGeorgia Eminent Domain. (Just like last year's hit Gone Girl, it's about things disappearing. In this case, property.) Now that development is picking up again in Georgia, Charles expects some real cases to come before the court. There are "potentially huge condemnation cases"  coming regarding developments in the Sandy Springs area.

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's Atlanta Newsletters
Related Stories

Furniture Outlet The Dump Is Getting Dumped In Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta Improvement Group Picks Food Bank Chief As Next Leader

Trump's DEI Crackdown Is Creating New Risks For Landlords That Lease To The Government

Brandon Johnson Seeks Second Term Amid Strained CRE Relationship

Thor Equities Plans $1B Data Center In North Georgia: The Atlanta Deal Sheet

Former CBRE Exec Suing Brokerage Giant Over Age Discrimination, Whistleblower Complaint

D.C. Investor Behind The Stacks Swaps CEO For First Time In 25 Years

Solar Projects In Georgia Meet Local Backlash As Data Centers Drive Demand For Power

CBRE IM Buys Net Lease REIT For $1.6B, Plans More Investment

The Difference Between Service And Hospitality That Makes A Flexible Workspace A Success

Beyond The Boom: How Miami's CRE Market Continues To Be Resilient

Sixers And Flyers Unveil Renderings Of South Philly Arena Due In 2030