New precinct located on Atlanta BeltLine and stationed out of the Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing

ATLANTA – Mayor Kasim Reed led the grand opening of the new Atlanta Police Department Path Force Unit Precinct this morning with local elected officials, leadership from the Atlanta BeltLine, Invest Atlanta and other public and private partners. The new precinct is located on the ground floor of the Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing, 890 Memorial Drive, an affordable housing development created by Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. in 2012. The precinct is the final tenant in the development, which includes 28 owner-occupied lofts purchased with downpayment assistance from the Atlanta BeltLine affordable housing trust fund. The Path Force Unit, which launched in July 2013, is funded by a $1.8 million U.S. Department of Justice COPS grant received in 2012.

“The APD Path Force Unit has done a spectacular job making sure users of the Atlanta BeltLine feel safe, and welcomed,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “Today, we welcome them to their permanent home on the Atlanta BeltLine. The Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing, a shining example of successful community revitalization that provides quality homes to working Atlantans, including police officers, firefighters and teachers, is the ideal home for the Path Force.”

The Path Force Unit patrols seven days a week along the three completed trails of the Atlanta BeltLine, the Eastside Trail, West End Trail and the Northside Trail, as well as the interim hiking trails and the Southwest Connector Trail. It also patrols adjacent parks including Historic Fourth Ward Park, D.H. Stanton Park, Boulevard Crossing Park and Piedmont Park. The unit primarily conducts patrols on foot and by bicycle, and will soon have use of off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.

“The APD is truly thankful for the donated space and the tremendous partnership support from the Atlanta BeltLine,” said Police Chief George N. Turner. “There has been an immediate positive impact as a result of the Path Force’s presence on the BeltLine. The Path Force Unit is dedicated to ensuring citizen’s safety on the Atlanta BeltLine and the surrounding neighborhoods.”

“We are proud that the Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing, one of the Atlanta BeltLine’s great success stories, is playing an ongoing role in the revitalization of Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods,” said Paul Morris, President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. “We are grateful for the great partners we have who helped bring the Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing to life and keep the Atlanta BeltLine safe. It is these strong partners from both the public and private sectors who keep the Atlanta BeltLine moving forward, strengthening Atlanta each step of the way.”

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) acquired the Lofts at Reynoldstown Crossing, a formerly distressed property, in support of its affordable housing program which seeks to make city living financially attainable for both renters and homeowners. In partnership with Invest Atlanta, Bank of America, Fifth Third Bank and others, all 28 lofts were sold as part of the first-ever affordable housing drawing in the City of Atlanta’s history. The Atlanta BeltLine affordable housing trust fund has committed funding to 259 owner-occupied and rental units to date.