PHOTOS: Atlanta Police Foundation unveils renderings of new public safety academy

Metro Atlanta

PHOTOS: Atlanta Police Foundation unveils renderings of new public safety academy

Initial renderings show Atlanta’s proposed Public Safety Training Center, set to be located across 150 acres of the old Atlanta Prison Farm.

Atlanta’s proposed Public Safety Training Center will be located across 150 acres of the old Atlanta Prison Farm, which is city-owned and located east of the city in unincorporated DeKalb County. ALL GALLERY TEXT BY WILBORN NOBLES

Officials say the space will provide recruiting, training, mid-career education, and practice with new technology and equipment for police and fire department personnel.

Dave Wilkinson, president of the Atlanta Police Foundation, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the building will be ready for officers within two years.

Renderings obtained by the AJC show the campus will house a mock city for police, fire and rescue teams to perform real world training.

Space dedicated to explosion tests, a fueling station, a water tower, burning building tests, and vehicle storage is shown.

Renderings also display conference rooms, auditoriums, shooting ranges and green space for rent to public safety agencies outside of Atlanta.

A kennel with indoor and outdoor training space for canine units is planned.

The images also show plans for an urban farm and agricultural fields.

A large amount of land will be converted into an emergency vehicle operations course for fire and police driving training as well.

The center will house stables and pastureland for mounted patrol horses.

The center would also provide greenspace to the public, such as running trails, ballfields, and picnic areas, renderings show.

The center will include indoor and outdoor shooting ranges, a fitness center, classrooms, an auditorium, and academy housing for public safety recruits.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has said the new academy will improve officer morale and retention after dozens of officers previously left the force in 2020.

“It looks as if we don’t value public safety in the city, and so I think this is going to help with our recruitment efforts," Bottoms said.

Bottoms and Wilkinson have declined to comment on the cost of the new center, but they stressed the bulk of the funding will come through a public/private partnership with the Police Foundation and the philanthropic community.

1/15

Atlanta’s proposed Public Safety Training Center will be located across 150 acres of the old Atlanta Prison Farm, which is city-owned and located east of the city in unincorporated DeKalb County. ALL GALLERY TEXT BY WILBORN NOBLES

Today's Gallery Headlines

Jimmy Carter ‘forever’ stamp

PHOTOS: 2025 AJC Photos of the Year

Coca-Cola first ad

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

Alonzo Herndon

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

gainesville, thomas county central

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

More Galleries

jefferson, sandy creek

PHOTOS: Sandy Creek defeats Jefferson for Class 3A championship

Savannah Christmas Train Villages

PHOTOS: Savannah Christmas model train garden began under the tree

aajc 121725 class 3a-a private

PHOTOS: Calvary Day and Hebron Christian battle for Class 3A-A title

Fani Willis testifies

PHOTOS: Fani Willis testifies before state Senate panel