ATLANTA — Fulton County is home to over a million residents, five major sports teams, and endless venues, restaurants, and entertainment spaces, but according to Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts, the one thing missing is a mayor's mansion.
“I think it’s just time for a city like Atlanta to have a mayor’s mansion," Pitts said.
While some may call it extravagant, Pitts said it's becoming more of a necessity in the growing city of Atlanta.
“It’s also where the mayor can live should he or she choose to do so," Pitts explained. "But more importantly -- to entertain guests, particularly dignitaries, as we grow and become much more of a world-class city which we are."
The chairman said he first proposed the idea over a decade ago, but he believes it's time to move forward with it now more than ever.
“What better time than now with the World Cup and everything that is involved with the World Cup in the state of Georgia, Fulton County, and the City of Atlanta," Pitts added.
Some may wonder where this mansion would be. However, Pitts said the perfect home already exists, and it's located on the corner of Ponce De Leon Avenue and Piedmont.
The Ivy Hall, operated by SCAD, is used as an event venue space, according to their website. Dating back to 1883, the home belonged to the Peters Family, who were known as one of the founding families of Atlanta.
“It’s a central point. It’s elevated, overlooks the city. But there are other sites, sites near the civic center, sites in Buckhead, sites in southside that would be suitable for this," Pitts said.
As far as who would fund the home, Pitts said the operational costs could be covered by nonprofit foundations or conservancies, ensuring little or no cost to taxpayers.
However, some on Atlanta's city council, like Michael Julian Bond, are hesitant about the idea.
"The biggest impediment to this is the cost of it," Bond said.
In a statement, the councilmember went on to write:
"If someone or some entity donated a property that would be one thing. But I don’t feel that the public would support the city paying for it. I’ve had conversations with other private citizens who wanted to sell their mansions to the City of Atlanta for the same purpose, but probably a tough sale to voters."
11Alive contacted the Mayor's Office and SCAD for a statement regarding the proposal and is still waiting to hear back.