FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Rapper Rick Ross is set to host his third annual car and bike show at his Georgia mansion this weekend – and this year he’s working with law enforcement to address traffic issues surrounding the event.
The hugely popular Rick Ross Car & Bike Show will kick off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, at the rapper’s estate off Highway 279 and 138 in Fayetteville, which he calls “The Promise Land.” There will be celebrity guests, music, food, fun, and the best cars and bikes from all over the country, according to the event’s website. Tickets start at $250.
The annual show attracts thousands of car, bike and music enthusiasts.
It’s caused major traffic jams in the area and noise issues for neighbors over the past few years. Some Fayette County residents even sued to prevent the county from allowing Ross to pursue a permit for the show last year.
Although Fayette officials were also concerned about traffic and zoning, a judge ruled against the residents.
Days before last year’s show, an 18-wheeler crashed into a utility pole outside Ross’ estate, causing 100 Georgia Power customers to lose electricity. It’s still unclear where that trucking was heading.
On Tuesday, the South Fulton Police Department announced they were working with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Public Safety – which oversees the Georgia State Patrol – to mitigate traffic issues around the car show this year.
On Wednesday, South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows told Atlanta News First his agency and its law enforcement partners are all stepping in to ensure the show isn’t a nuisance to the community.
The agencies are also collaborating with Ross to make sure cars can get through his neighborhood during the event, which Meadows said has already sold 10,000 tickets.
“What we’re trying to do is make sure that we manage the flow of traffic into the facility and out in a very orderly way, so that we don’t have that level of gridlock that we’ve seen in the past,” Meadows said.
Neighbors who live across the street from Ross told Atlanta News First that this year he mailed residents traffic passes to get past police and access their homes so they won’t be impacted by any roadblocks.
Residents told Atlanta News First they were happy to see a proactive approach from Ross and law enforcement.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said the car show is expected to impact traffic in the area of Highway 279 between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Saturday.
For any event-related issues, the sheriff’s office said they’ll be available at the designated non-emergency contact number (678) 326-8590.
