Atlanta detention-center sale plan held by finance panel after public-safety recommendation

Atlanta’s Finance/Executive Committee unanimously held the proposed Atlanta City Detention Center sale Sept. 30. The minutes record a Sept. 28 favorable-as-amended recommendation from the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee by a 4–2 vote, and list Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. as the next checkpoint. The finance committee’s hold did not authorize the sale.

Resolution 26-R-4001 proposes transferring the center at 254 Peachtree Street SW to Fulton County for a price not exceeding $68 million. A separate lease of up to 50 years would keep people in city custody or under Atlanta Municipal Court jurisdiction housed there, with Atlanta paying the county’s per-detainee costs for housing, food, custody staffing and medical care.

Atlanta would retain a right of first refusal and an option to purchase the property before the county could sell it to a third party during a period of up to 50 years.