Activists vandalized the home and vehicles of Miller Gorrie, chairman of Birmingham-based Brasfield & Gorrie, in protest of a planned $90 million, 85-acre police, fire and public safety training center in Atlanta.
The activists, identifying themselves as the Forest Defenders, claimed responsibility for the attack at the Birmingham, Alabama-area home, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Brasfield & Gorrie, the prime contractor on the project, says its employees and families have been the targets of criminal acts of trespassing, vandalism, and harassment over the last several months.
The police training center campus plan was approved by Atlanta City Council in September 2021. The project is slated to be constructed at the site of the Old Atlanta Prison Farm in DeKalb County.
Neighbors have objected to the project, citing potential smoke and noise from the facility that will include a shooting range and a mock city and burn building. The Forest Defenders have protested potential environmental impacts to the surrounding woodlands and the nearby South River, and have attracted national media attention.
The activists have sabotaged machinery at the jobsite, built shelters in trees to interrupt construction, and thrown rocks and Molotov cocktails at police and contractors, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 8, 2022
Inefficient supply chains, outdated project delivery systems hamper construction investment
Constructing and justifying the cost of physical assets such as a manufacturing plant is much more difficult than it was decades ago, according to a report by Steffen Fuchs, senior partner with McKinsey & Company.
Airports | Jul 8, 2022
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport’s new terminal prioritizes passenger experience and sustainability
McCarthy Building Companies recently completed construction of the final concourse in Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Architects | Jul 7, 2022
Page acquires AE giant EYP to form 1,300-person international design firm
The combined firm will “be able to invest in research and thought leadership to co-create with our clients,” stated Page CEO Thomas McCarthy.
Building Team | Jul 7, 2022
Report explores improving architect/contractor relationship
A new study by the American Institute of Architects and the Associated General Contractors of America focuses on improving the relationship between architects and contractors.
Airports | Jul 7, 2022
Love at first flight: The power of first impressions in airports
As architects, how we design a terminal and choreograph the passenger experience can stir up strong feelings.
Building Team | Jul 7, 2022
Amenity-rich rental property in Chicago includes seven-story atrium with vertical landscaping
The recently opened 198-unit Optima Lakeview luxury rental apartment building in Chicago is bursting with amenities such as the region’s first year-round rooftop pool, contact-free in-home package delivery, housekeeping services, on-site room service, fitness programming, and a virtual personal assistant.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 6, 2022
The power of contextual housing development
Creating urban villages and vibrant communities starts with a better understanding of place, writes LPA's Matthew Porreca.
Building Team | Jul 6, 2022
Buro Happold selects Jennifer Price for top role, US Managing Director
Buro Happold, a world-class practice of 2,200 engineers and consultants, has announced the appointment of Seattle-based Jennifer Price as US Managing Director and Partner.
University Buildings | Jul 6, 2022
Wenzhou-Kean University opens a campus building that bridges China’s past and future
After pandemic-related stops and starts, Wenzhou-Kean University’s Ge Hekai Hall has finally begun to see full occupancy.
Security and Life Safety | Jul 5, 2022
What AEC firms should look for in a cybersecurity partner
When looking for expert partners in cybersecurity, AEC firms will find quite a lot of companies claiming to be at the forefront of modern threats. Here are five key points to look for when choosing a cybersecurity firm.
