Local

Statement from city of Atlanta on Morris Brown College

"The claim that Mayor Kasim Reed and the City of Atlanta  are attempting to "land grab" Morris Brown College for the proposed new Atlanta Falcons stadium is preposterous. Mayor Reed's sole interest has been to enable Morris Brown to secure a stronger, financially healthier future as an educational institution that has been a vital part of the city since 1881. In addition, the Mayor is focused on bringing positive economic development and neighborhood revitalization to the West Side and the MLK corridor.  His desire to assist Morris Brown has been unwavering, including his support of the decision by President Barack  Obama and the  U.S. Department of Education to forgive more than $9.4 million in debt owed by the college.

Mayor Reed and his administration continue to believe that the $10 million financial offer put forth by the city, which would have eliminated all of Morris Brown’s debt, provided the school with a campus and gave the board the opportunity to repurchase the school's assets while working toward accreditation, has been the best solution. However, we wish Morris Brown well in pursuing any other holistic alternative for securing the college's future, including reaching a deal with Friendship Baptist Church to sell its properties.

Finally, any negative assertion about Mayor Reed's commitment to serving and protecting all Atlanta residents, including the African-American community, is blatantly false and misleading."

-Sonji Jacobs dade

Communications Director

Office of Mayor Kasim Reed