DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson,
On February 2, 2026 Superior Court Judge Stacey Hydrick issued a Mediation Order in the case concerning the land swap by DeKallb County (County) of 40 acres of Intrenchment Creek Park to Blackhall Studios, Ryan Millsap (Millsap). The deadline to mediate is May 30, 2026. The mediation process is the County’s last and best chance to return the park land to the people.
After the land swap, Millsap promptly sold the movie studio business and kept the park land for himself. Now, Millsap is attempting to clear the title, which is incumbered by the land’s park status, through a Quiet Title Against the World (Quiet Title) action with the intent to sell the land to a data center developer. DeKalb County is complicit in Milsap’s action and any private development that may occur. This insult to taxpayers is only occurring because the County swapped public land that was restricted by deed to be used in perpetuity as park property (see the 2003 Deed on Intrenchment Creek Park).
The South River Watershed Alliance and no less than four County residents, including myself, have entered the Quiet Title action in opposition to Millsap. By law, anyone, including the County, can enter this action and mediation process.
Reportedly, as recently as a year ago, you were interested in purchasing the land back from Millsap. What is your objection now when mediation would help achieve a fair and just outcome?
Now is the County’s chance to achieve a fair and just settlement for DeKalb’s citizens. Court-ordered mediation is the leverage needed to negotiate with Millsap and right this wrong — one that you voted for and now have an opportunity to fix.
As said in your own words at a Special Called PECS meeting on November 6, 2023:
“…at this point I am very disillusioned with the process. It is the only vote that I will sit here and say that if I had the ability to rescind I would.”
If the above-mentioned wrongs are not enough, the land swap continues to set a legal precedent that threatens public land county-wide.
Compounding the injustice, for well over three years, taxpayers have been denied use of Intrenchment Creek Park in its entirety under an Executive Order issued by former CEO Michael Thurmond. And for well over a year, it has been in your power to lift the order and reopen the park.
Please use the power of your office to enter the County into the Quiet Title mediation process, return Intrenchment Creek Park, in its entirety, back to the citizens of DeKalb, lift the executive order, and reopen our beloved park. You have the ability and authority!
Thank you.
Margaret Spalding
District 3 constituent, DeKalb County