City Of Atlanta Files Petition To Protect Historic Site, Chattahoochee River Water Supply

From the City of Atlanta:

February 12, 2021

The City of Atlanta filed a Petition for Preliminary Injunction with the Surface Transportation Board seeking to stop development of a fuel terminal on a property that was the former location of the Chattahoochee Brick Company. This property is located on the Chattahoochee River just north and west of Bolton Road.

“Our Administration will do everything it can to protect the sanctity and significance of this property,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “A site of such historic and environmental importance needs careful consideration before even limited development occurs.”

The Chattahoochee Brick Company was owned by former Atlanta Mayor James W. English. The brick company, which supplied material for the construction of houses and buildings in Atlanta, used leased “convict” labor in its manufacturing processes, working primarily African American men under terrible conditions—some even to their death in furtherance of this enterprise. It is widely believed makeshift graves were created on the site—of which likely remain to this day.

Additionally, this property is on the Chattahoochee River—Atlanta’s and the larger region’s supply of drinking water for which great success has been achieved improving water quality.

The Surface Transportation Board is an independent federal agency which primarily regulates railroads. The City of Atlanta is challenging the development of the fuel terminal on a variety of regulatory grounds.

This press release was produced by the City of Atlanta. The views expressed are the author's own.