Officials in Atlanta have approved Dallas megachurch pastor Bishop T.D. Jakes’ plans for a multi-use development on a former U.S. Army base. Jakes, the founder of The Potter’s House Dallas Texas, bought nearly 95 acres of what was formerly Fort McPherson army base in Fulton County, Georgia, four months ago for $29 million. The Fort Mac Local Redevelopment Authority approved T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures LLC’s initial master plan for the development Oct. 21. A community engagement meeting to discuss the plans will be held on Oct. 30, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reported. 

 Jakes became interested in the site after noticing while hosting his yearly Megafest gospel festival in Atlanta that gentrification was driving people out of lower-income neighborhoods, and that the Fort McPherson area lacked basic amenities, per the Business Chronicle. The new development is set to include mixed-income housing, restaurants, a grocery store, a pharmacy, hotel rooms, and public spaces. “We remain focused on strengthening communities through affordable housing and by helping people live the American dream through homeownership and the creation of multigenerational wealth,” Jakes told the Dallas Morning News. 

 The project could add hundreds of jobs in the area, Jakes said. The land is located next to a film production studio owned by actor Tyler Perry. Jakes also has produced several entertainment projects, including the theatrical film “Heaven is for Real” and TV movies “Faith Under Fire” (2018) and the 2019-2020 television series “The Gospel.” Jakes said construction on the new project is expected to take two and a half years once it’s underway. He also said his team is looking for land to develop similar projects in other cities, potentially including Dallas, where he said rising real estate prices are making it more difficult for people to live there.