GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Following feedback from the community, Gwinnett County has backed off from acquiring two already owned sections of the historic Promised Land, according to the board of commissioners.
For the past 100 years, the Promised Land has served as a time and place where early decedents of enslaved African peoples purchased land, creating a "thriving African American community" in Gwinnett County.
"We appreciate and understand the reactions brought forth by members of the Livsey family and the community regarding the legal notice of the potential use of eminent domain by the County to acquire properties owned by Thomas Livsey Sr. and his wife (Dorethia Livsey)," the board of commissioners said.
The 100-acre property in Snellville has been in the Livsey family since the 1920s, and they want to keep it that way. The family announced their thoughts on preserving the historical property on Friday following the county's decision not to take the land using eminent domain.
“It's more than just land," Alexis Livsey said at a conference on Friday. "It's our future, it's our tomorrow, it's our yesterday."
According to a preliminary mockup, the commission planned to build replica slave quarters alongside the other buildings on the Promised Land property – but Livseys said their family could think of better ways to use the land.
“We have specific plans but we want everybody’s opinions," Chad Livsey said.
"We just don’t want this to be about us — the immediate family."
Gwinnett County's statement earlier in April said it was looking to build a park in the area with the acquired land, including the historic Maguire-Livsey Big House. A formal decision was expected on April 25, but the county said on Friday they will quote “not move forward with taking formal action on the eminent domain proceedings."
“We respect the right of Mr. Livsey Sr. and his wife, as a private landowner in determining the best use of this property, and we will work with Mr. Livsey Sr. and his family to reach a joint decision about how best to support the vision and wishes of Mr. Livsey Sr. and his family for the future use of this property,” the county board's statement read in part.
The Livseys say they plan to flood the next commission meeting at the end of this month to express their concerns and wishes.
