Atlanta has accepted Fulton County’s $68 million offer to purchase the Atlanta City Detention Center, Mayor Andre Dickens announced September 8. The agreement is not final and still requires formal approval from the Atlanta City Council and Fulton County Board of Commissioners.
Fulton County already leases space in the 17-story downtown facility, which can hold as many as 1,300 detainees. Officials said acquiring the building would give the county additional capacity while avoiding the larger cost of constructing a new detention facility.
The proposed purchase structure would protect current city employees and keep existing diversion-center operations in place, according to the city. Fulton County’s current lease is scheduled to expire in November, adding urgency to the legislative process.
Supporters describe the deal as a more efficient use of existing public resources. Opponents have questioned whether adding detention space addresses the broader safety and conditions concerns that led to federal oversight of Fulton County’s Rice Street jail.
A closing date has not been announced. Final documents, legislative votes and other approvals must be completed before ownership changes.
Featured image: FOX 5 Atlanta file photo.
