Atlanta accepts Fulton County $68M offer for city detention center
Atlanta agrees to sell city jail to Fulton County
Mayor Andre Dickens agreed to sell the Atlanta City Detention Center to Fulton County for $68 million. Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts says the purchase will address severe overcrowding at the Rice Street jail.
ATLANTA - Mayor Andre Dickens announced Tuesday that the City of Atlanta has accepted a $68 million offer from Fulton County to purchase the Atlanta City Detention Center.
What we know:
Fulton County taxpayers are projected to save more than $600 million in net present value savings by acquiring the property.
The transaction allows the county to utilize current detention capacity rather than incurring higher future capital costs.
The structure of the purchase agreement protects current city employees and keeps existing diversion center operations intact.
Because the county's existing lease expires in November, the Dickens administration is introducing shell legislation at Tuesday's City Council meeting to start the legislative process.
What they're saying:
Mayor Andre Dickens praised the collaborative agreement between local governments.
"The proposed agreement for Fulton County to acquire the Atlanta City Detention Center is a win for residents across Fulton County, including Atlanta. Pending approval by the Atlanta City Council and Fulton County Board of Commissioners, the agreement would promote the safe, humane and appropriate treatment of detainees while making responsible use of existing public resources. This is an example of what can be accomplished when local governments work together toward solutions that are fiscally responsible, operationally sound and centered on people," Dickens said.
Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts declared victory following the agreement, calling it a "wonderful day" that is beneficial to both the city and the county.
Atlanta City Detention Center
The backstory:
Fulton County faces overcrowding and, at times, inhumane conditions at its Rice Street facility.
The City of Atlanta was already leasing space to the county at the detention center, but that lease expires at the end of this year, Pitts said.
The ACDC can house as many 1,300 detainees in the 17-story building.
Meanwhile, Fulton County continues operating under a Department of Justice consent decree after federal authorities determined conditions at the Rice Street facility were unconstitutional.
The other side:
Opponents of the deal highlight that Fulton County remains under a Department of Justice consent decree over unconstitutional jail conditions, raising concerns that expanding facility space will not fix systemic issues.
Defense attorney Tiffany Roberts strongly condemned the sale during public comments, arguing that "you are not saving one life by selling this jail."
Advocate Roberta Meyers criticized local leadership for abandoning previous plans to repurpose the building.
"What does the community stand to gain? Nothing. Nothing but more deaths, more mismanagement, and more wasteful spending. All of this is tremendously disappointing. It’s happening behind closed doors," she said. "Do not allow your minds to be wiped clean of all the work and resources that went into reimagining a better use of that building and its land."
What's next:
Both the Atlanta City Council and the Fulton County Board of Commissioners must formally approve the agreement before the transaction is finalized.
Chairman Pitts indicated those approvals could happen within the next two weeks.
What we don't know:
Officials have not yet confirmed the exact date when the property sale will officially close.
Final details remain subject to pending approval by both the Atlanta City Council and the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.
The Source: This article is based on original reporting by FOX 5’s Rob DiRienzo. Information was also sourced from the City of Atlanta, Mayor Andre Dickens' office, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, and Tuesday's city council meeting.