Atlanta police ramp up security plans for new Peach Drop location

After nearly 30 years at Underground Atlanta, the Peach Drop is moving locations.

The Atlanta Police Department says Wednesday it’s ready to keep New Year’s Eve revelers safe at the new site for the annual Peach Drop.

“We want people to enjoy celebrating a New Year in a new and exciting location,” said Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Scott Kreher. “Know that the Atlanta Police Department and its many partners are working diligently to ensure a safe and secure event.”

RELATED: New Year's Eve Peach Drop moves to Woodruff Park

ALSO: New details on this year's Peach Drop

This year’s Peach Drop will be held at the Flatiron Building near Woodruff Park instead of Underground Atlanta.

APD will run a joint operations center during the day Sunday and throughout the Peach Drop to coordinate police, fire and emergency services responders. Officers will be visible throughout the venue and the surrounding area, and undercover officers will also be working the event, police said.

The Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta has been an Atlanta tradition since 1989. The peach is eight feet tall, weighs 800 pounds and takes 53 seconds to makes its way down the tower. Atlanta Journal-Constitution archive image by Ben Gray

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Woodruff Park will be fenced off with access points at Auburn Avenue and Park Place, Edgewood Avenue and Park Place, Peachtree Street and Edgewood Avenue and Peachtree Street and Walton Street, according to police. The access points are set to open at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Bags will be searched at the access points and only clear bags will be allowed in. No food or alcohol can be brought into the area, but items will be sold at the venue. Chairs, coolers, umbrellas, drones, pets, bicycles, hoverboards and skateboards are all prohibited.

Planned street closings include Peachtree Street and Ellis Street on the north and Peachtree Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. on the south. Atlanta police suggest event-goers take MARTA to the event or use rideshare services to reduce traffic.

Taking MARTA: The closest stations are Five Points and Peachtree Center.