FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Council Communications
Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Ave. S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303

CONTACT:
Talia Moffitt
Public Information Officer – Council Communications
(404) 546-1835 / (404) 326-6506
tkmoffitt@atlantaga.gov

Dexter Chambers
Director, Office of Communications
Office: (404) 330-6309
Mobile: (404) 392-0159
Email: dchambers@atlantaga.gov

November 16, 2018

 Atlanta City Council Member Ivory Lee Young, Jr. Passes Away

ATLANTA—The Atlanta City Council is mourning the loss of District 3 Atlanta City Council member Ivory Lee Young, Jr. Young. Young passed away peacefully Friday at a local hospital. He was 56 years old.

Young had been on leave since early September to undergo a stem-cell transplant.

“My faith has never been stronger. The grace and mercy of Jesus Christ has been with me from the moment of this diagnosis,” Young said before undergoing treatment.

A native of Butler, Alabama, Young has served on the Atlanta City Council since January 2002. The district he represented is comprised of several communities on the westside of Atlanta, including English Avenue, Washington Park and Vine City. An avid Atlanta Falcons fan, he helped oversee the completion of the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, also located in District 3.

During his council tenure, Young’s strong leadership and collaborative problem-solving skills resulted in adopting policy with a long-term positive impact on the city. With support from former Mayor Kasim Reed’s administration through the Department of Planning, Young successfully completed “Westside Revive.” This unprecedented initiative created redevelopment plans for neighborhoods that have not benefited from traditional economic opportunities. 

Young’s active role in the redevelopment of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive corridor resulted in more than $65 million for the completion of the Historic Westside Village project that served as a catalyst for continued investments.

He also supported funding of police and fire equipment to enhance public safety throughout his district, including infrastructure improvements and cameras. Young lent his legislative support for the creation of the Atlanta Citizens Review Board and abolished the Disorderly Conduct 6 statute that unfairly profiled citizens in underserved neighborhoods, after the shooting death of 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston by Atlanta Police.

Young earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Hampton University. He played trumpet on The Marching Force. He was also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), and former Vice-President of the Atlanta Chapter.

Young was the son of a retired army sergeant major who served in the United States Army for 30 years. At one point, the family was stationed in Alaska.

“The different places that he served while in the Army afforded me and my family exposure that I don’t think we would’ve ever had. It also gave me a love for all people,” Young has said about his childhood.

Young grew up wanting to be an architect and was in the industry for more than 30 years.

“I really love construction. When I was younger, I spent many summers with my uncles doing construction projects. That experience really gave me a love for the built environment and being able to shape things from ideas and concepts,” he said.

At the time of his passing, Young was serving on the Atlanta City Council’s City Utilities and Community Development/Human Services committees as well as the Committee on Council.  During his tenure, he served as a member of most of the council committees including serving as chair of the Zoning Committee.

When asked what message he wanted to share with constituents in his absence, Young said, “Atlanta City Council District 3 is alive and well. We have challenges that we have to overcome in the city… (but) we’re excited about the future.”

Funeral services for Young will be announced. The family asks for privacy at this time.

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