King Center May be Sold to Park Service

[ironchapman]

According to this AJC Article, the King Center could be sold to the National Park Service. Of course, nothing is final yet, but the options are being explored.

The board of the King Center is exploring options to sell its property, including the birth home of Martin Luther King Jr., to the U.S. Park Service, according to Isaac Newton Farris, the recently installed president and chief executive officer of the center.

IMO, it seems like a step in the right direction for the King Center. I think that the Park Service might do a better job of maintaining the place.

[Newnan_Eric]

IMO, it seems like a step in the right direction for the King Center. I think that the Park Service might do a better job of maintaining the place.

I have to agree with you on that one. Normally, I wouldn't say that the government does a better job than private enterprise, but the King family has not managed the Center well over the last few years. This is one of the few UNIQUE tourist draws Atlanta has -- We will be better served as a community with a party that will properly maintain these facilities.

[ironchapman]

I have to agree with you on that one. Normally, I wouldn't say that the government does a better job than private enterprise, but the King family has not managed the Center well over the last few years. This is one of the few UNIQUE tourist draws Atlanta has -- We will be better served as a community with a party that will properly maintain these facilities.

Luckovich had something interesting to say about the whole situation.

These guys are incorrigible. Their father's got this wonderful legacy, and these two are doing their best to screw it up. Over the years, the King family has just been like a walking cartoon. They've made my job easy.

See it here (AJC.com)

This is one of the things that helped make me a little more aware of how well (or not well) the center was being managed.

[StevenRocks]

My mom visited the King Center recently and said it was in bad shape. Maybe it's time for the Feds to step in.

[EbonyGardens]

I visited the King Center a few months ago and it was nice. You could see downtown Atlanta to the north.

[Florida]

I remember visiting the King Center as a child when we lived in Atlanta.... too bad I wasn't into downtowns back then or I'd remember that. I do remember the monument in the middle of some water.

[ironchapman]

I remember visiting the King Center as a child when we lived in Atlanta.... too bad I wasn't into downtowns back then or I'd remember that. I do remember the monument in the middle of some water.

That would probably be his grave.

Ring any bells, TJ?

[EbonyGardens]

Hey, that rings bells for me. Those were the very spots that I saw during my visit there.

[krazeeboi]

Sounds like a reasonable move. I'm due another trip out there soon.

[ironchapman]

This AJC Article seems to hint at the fact that the deal might actually happen.

After years of not being able to seal major deals involving its assets, the family of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. finally may be able to sign its biggest deal ever.

...........

It marks the second time in the last decade that the family, which owns the center through the King Estate, has tried to sell the property on Auburn Avenue to the federal government. The estate, a private entity that licenses King's image and intellectual property, also is once again seeking to sell parts of its collection of historic papers written by King, another effort that has failed in the past.

This may be this best possible option for the King Center at this time. I certainly don't see too many downsides to the deal.