The Atlanta Public Safety Training Center is in the construction phase, with grading, hauling and grubbing and utilities infrastructure work in motion.
The Dickens Administration briefed members of the Finance/Executive Committee of the Atlanta City Council on the status of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, showing detailed renderings, timelines, permitting status, and updated budget numbers. The report also included an update on the community-based recommendations by the Community Stakeholder Advisory Council and the Mayor’s South River Forest and Public Safety Training Center Task Force for the center and surrounding site.
“We are moving forward as planned and not allowing distractions to deter us from improving the safety of Atlantans by completing the public safety training center” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “We have intentionally worked to incorporate the voice of the people, garnering strong support from the majority of our citizens who actively contributed valuable recommendations and feedback to this effort. The public persistently asks us to keep them safe from fire, violence and medical emergencies and we deployed strategies that contributed to Atlanta achieving one of the highest reductions in violence among major cities in America.”
Deputy Chief Operating Officer LaChandra Burks told the committee that the frequency and intensity of the attacks in opposition to the training center – including a recent defacing of the landmark Manuel’s Tavern – have contributed significantly to an increase in the estimated cost for the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center from $90 million to $109.6 million. This includes $6 million for additional security and $400,000 for insurance increases. Neither the City of Atlanta nor Atlanta taxpayers will be responsible for the $19.6 million in incremental costs, Burks said.
Atlanta taxpayers will not bear the burden of these additional costs.
Also today, Atlanta Police Chief Darin…
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