ATLANTA -- The city of Atlanta has reached an agreement to let 92-year-old Mattie Jackson stay in her Peoplestown home.
For decades, the neighborhood surrounding Ms. Jackon's home flooded every time it rained. After a particularly damaging flood in 2012, neighbors pushed the city to find a solution. That solution included buying up homes, demolishing them, and building a storm water detention pond. Jackson's home was included in that plan.
More than 5,000 people had signed a petition the city let her continue to live in her Atlanta home. Those signatures were delivered to City Hall October 5th.
Thursday, Mayor Reed said Jackson would be allowed to stay in her home while the city works on an alternative design plan.
"I am pleased that Mrs. Jackson will be remaining in her home in Peoplestown," Mayor Reed said in a press release. "Ms. Jackson has been a pillar in her community, and out of respect for her contributions to our city, we have decided to support her desire to remain in the neighborhood she has called her home for decades. I look forward to completing this important project as we address an issue that has gone unresolved for many years."
