Quote of note:

The changes, however, signal that Chairman Dexter Scott King is now firmly in control of the King Center after a power struggle with his older brother. The struggle was over the future of the center, which is one of the city's most visited sites.

"The conflict really was over the sale of the center, and that part has been resolved," said former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, who serves on the King Center board. Young said he favors selling the center because it is "a valuable community asset that needs to be protected and preserved, and the best vehicle for preserving it is the federal government. Coretta understood that one day the center would be turned over to the Park Service."

King Center may be sold to feds
Board of landmark weighs sale to Park Service, signaling shift in power struggle over its future
By MARIA SAPORTA , ERNIE SUGGS
The Atlanta Journal-Co
Published on: 12/23/05

The board of the King Center is exploring the possible sale of the Atlanta civil rights landmark to the National Park Service, the center announced Thursday.

The sale, which would include several buildings at the Auburn Avenue complex and the nearby birth home of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., would resolve major upkeep issues at the center but more importantly help preserve its future. The King family would keep control of Martin Luther King Jr.'s crypt.

In a separate deal, the King estate is pursuing the sale of many of Martin Luther King Jr.'s papers, as well as widow Coretta Scott King's Vine City home.

The announcement, which did not include a price tag, was made by the Kings' nephew, Isaac Newton Farris, who has been named president and chief executive officer. He replaces Martin Luther King III, who remains on the board. Martin King said he will spend more time taking care of his mother, who suffered a major stroke in August.