KEY POINTS
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Fulton County, Georgia, commissioners approved a $1.1 billion plan to build a new special-purpose detention facility and overhaul the aging Rice Street Jail.
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A new $536 million special facility will provide medical, mental health, and substance abuse care, with construction expected to take four to five years.
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The county will launch a $552 million renovation of the jail to address structural and operational deficiencies.
Fulton County, Georgia, commissioners approved a $1.1 billion plan on August 20, 2025, to build a new special-purpose detention facility and carry out major renovations to the aging Atlanta-area Rice Street Main Jail.
The new facility, designed to provide medical treatment and care for detainees with mental health and substance abuse issues, carries a construction cost projected to be $536 million and is expected to take four to five years to complete.
Once the new medical facility is completed, the county plans to begin a $552 million renovation of the Rice Street Jail, which will address critical structural and operational deficiencies.
This image shows the Fulton County Jail, Atlanta, Georgia, also known as the Rice Street Main Jail, from 2023. Image: Shutterstock
Potential Construction Opportunities
The approved plan positions the county for one of Georgia’s largest detention-related construction projects. The scale and nature of the work are expected to generate contracting opportunities, from structural engineering and general construction to medical infrastructure, HVAC, and security systems installation.
The new special-purpose facility will involve healthcare design, suggesting demand for contractors and building product manufacturers specializing in hospital-grade plumbing, electrical, and environmental controls, among other specialties and general trades.
Fulton County officials said the approval sets a timeline for moving forward with design, procurement, and contractor selection, though details have yet to be released.
Long-Standing Structural Concerns
The Rice Street Jail, built in 1989, has faced scrutiny for deteriorating conditions. Federal and local investigations have reported structural decay, inmate injuries, and deaths. In 2024, the Department of Justice concluded that conditions inside violated detainees’ constitutional rights.
County commissioners considered whether a full replacement facility might be more cost-effective than renovations.
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