Atlanta's latest jail offer to Fulton County comes with strings
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The Atlanta City Detention Center. Photo: Kristal Dixon/Axios
Mayor Andre Dickens has released his counteroffer to Fulton County's proposal to buy the Atlanta City Detention Center, and it includes stipulations that go beyond housing jail detainees.
Why it matters: Both sides have something to gain in this tug-of-war over the South Downtown building.
- Dickens needs the support of the county and Atlanta Board of Education to extend several tax allocation districts to fund his sweeping Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative.
- Fulton County needs the additional space to house detainees and relieve jail overcrowding.
The latest: Dickens' latest offer is to sell ACDC to Fulton County for $68 million, which is down from the original offer to sell for $80 million.
- The mayor writes in a letter that the building could possibly eliminate the county's need for a temporary jail and reduce the extent of future renovations at the main Rice Street Jail.
- Fulton County last month offered to buy the building for $56 million.
Caveat: Atlanta's offer does come with some conditions.
- Along with setting aside space for Atlanta to house its own detainees and for Center for Diversion Services operations, the county would be required to perform annual third-party assessments to make sure the jail meets the standards outlined in its consent decree.
- It would also require Fulton County to commit $200 million over 10 years to the new teaching hospital Atrium Health plans to open in the West End.
- "This agreement gives us an opportunity to address both an immediate detention challenge and another fundamental responsibility we share; ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare," Dickens writes.
Friction point: Atlanta's offer also addresses the long-running debate surrounding undervalued commercial properties in Fulton County.
- Dickens would require Fulton County to invest in improving expertise for "complex commercial appeals," implement higher standards for Board of Equalization reviews and "improve the availability and transparency of commercial property assessment data."
- Atlanta and Fulton County would also advocate for statewide reforms that address commercial property tax assessments and the appeals process.
The other side: A Fulton County spokesperson told Axios the city has reached out to them about its offer and discussions are ongoing.
What's next: Dickens said his offer expires at 5pm Sept. 21. Fulton County commissioners meet Wednesday at 10am.