College Park hires Hightower's firm for city planning

College Park has hired a company headed by former Fulton County Commissioner Michael Hightower as its city planning consultant. In the early 2000s, Hightower spent six months in federal prison for accepting $25,000 from a county contractor.

The Collaborative Firm was the low bidder and won a one-year contract not to exceed $130,000, according to Interim City Manager Hugh Austin. The city hired Hightower's company in the past for master planning. Mayor Jack Longino said Hightower has done well since prison and earned respect for owning up to his mistakes.