Atlanta accepts Fulton County’s $68 million offer to buy the downtown jail, Dickens says
By Dan Raby, Daniel Wilkerson
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ATLANTA (WUPA) — Mayor Andre Dickens says Atlanta has agreed to sell the Atlanta City Detention Center to Fulton County for $68 million, a deal officials say could ease overcrowding at the county jail and expand care for detainees with mental health and substance use needs.
The agreement could give Fulton County about 1,300 additional detention beds at the downtown facility. County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts said the county is also planning a separate 1,800-bed medical facility for people with mental health or substance use issues.
“This is a wonderful day for Fulton County. It’s a wonderful day for the city of Atlanta. It’s a wonderful day for the detainees, but it’s also a great, great day for the taxpaying citizens of Fulton County,” Pitts said.
Negotiations between the two governments have been underway for months. In a letter obtained by CBS News Atlanta, Dickens said the city accepted Fulton County’s latest offer.
Dickens proposed the $68 million price in an Aug. 31 counteroffer after Fulton County offered approximately $56.5 million for the downtown detention center.
“The City of Atlanta accepts Fulton County’s offer to purchase the Atlanta City Detention Center for $68 million,” Dickens wrote in Tuesday’s letter.
Dickens said the deal is expected to save Fulton County taxpayers money by using the existing detention center instead of building the same amount of new space elsewhere. He also said it would protect city employees and allow diversion programs to continue.
The additional space could change Fulton County’s plans for the Rice Street jail. Pitts said previously planned renovations there may no longer be needed.
“There’s a possibility — I want to underscore this possibility — that the renovations that we have planned for Rice Street may not even be necessary,” Pitts said. “But that’s a story that will be unfolding.”
Angel Mapp, whose son was being held at the Rice Street facility, described crowded and unsanitary conditions inside.
“They were laying down like sardines in a can,” Mapp said. “Really bad. Bedbugs. And no room to even move, you know, like shoulder to shoulder with the other inmates.”
When told about the proposed purchase, Mapp said, “I think it’s great.” She also said she believes many detainees need treatment for mental health conditions.
Women detained by Fulton County are already being housed at the Atlanta City Detention Center and may remain there after the sale. Pitts also said most people held in the county jail are Atlanta residents, which is one reason he believes the purchase benefits both governments.
The city and county must still settle the remaining terms of the agreement. A working group that includes Atlanta Chief Operating Officer Dick Anderson, financial and legal officials, and the Fulton County sheriff is scheduled to meet Wednesday.
Officials are working against a Dec. 8 deadline, when Fulton County’s current lease for space at the city detention center expires.
Pitts has described the purchase as a goal nearly 20 years in the making. Previous attempts to reach an agreement stalled during the administrations of former Atlanta mayors Shirley Franklin, Kasim Reed and Keisha Lance Bottoms.
In the city’s earlier counteroffer, Dickens asked Fulton County to preserve enough space for people arrested on municipal charges, maintain intake and administrative operations and give Atlanta the first opportunity to buy the property if the county later sells it. Pitts said the county would discuss those conditions, with some limitations.
Atlanta initially sought $80 million for the facility, citing an independent appraisal that valued the property at approximately $144.6 million.
The sale still requires final agreements and government approval before it can close.
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