North Fulton Today

Khalid Kamau, the mayor of South Fulton, honored a promise he made during his campaign by moving into a troubled apartment complex before deciding on the future of the site.

The Camelot Condominiums, built in the 1970s, are located on Old National Highway, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Fires, crime and squatters have led to the deterioration of the property throughout its 50-year history.

"There was an outcry from the legacy homeowners," Kamau told Fox 5 Atlanta. "A couple of residents said I love my house, I do not want to lose it. So I decided to move in before I make a final decision. I hope it brings attention to Camelot and it brings development dollars to our city."

Kamau had originally planned on demolishing the condominiums but changed his mind last year during his campaign after speaking with some of the residents, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Now, the city's second-ever mayor has signed a one-year lease on a one-bedroom, $800-a-month apartment within the complex, where he will live among the current residents before deciding Camelot's fate.

"I come from the movement of black lives and the student non-violent committee, we believe you must live amongst people to understand them, so it is not a stunt but a principal," Kamau said.

Kamau aims to get the community involved in improving Camelot rather than turning a blind eye to its current conditions, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. He has also affirmed that his plans are not intended as a publicity stunt; he plans to sleep in his new apartment every night. Several residents appreciate the mayor's actions and believe them to be sincere.

"Now we have a mayor who says, 'I am with you, I support you. I want to see first hand, I am willing to live here,'" resident Condia Perry told Fox 5 Atlanta.