ATLANTA — Big-name music acts are expected to draw thousands of fans to Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta for the Music Midtown festival Friday and Saturday.
But some concerned residents said the popular festival is spilling out onto 10th Street and causing a dangerous situation.
"I worry about someone getting hit and killed by a car," said resident Jeff Jones.
Jones said setup for the festival has much of the sidewalk and bike lanes bordering Piedmont Park closed, leaving pedestrians and bicyclists to cross and ride in traffic when they otherwise wouldn't. Jones said security guards working for the festival forced him out of the bike lane and into traffic while he was riding Sunday night.
"And they kept screaming at me, 'Get into the traffic, get into the traffic,'" Jones said.
He said he supports the festival but wants a better plan to handle bike and pedestrian safety.
Tuesday, other residents took similar concerns to Atlanta's City Council.
"It's gotten out of control and it either gets back under control or we need to move it to a different venue," said resident Dana Persons, who also lives near the park.
"Right now it's us versus APD and right now APD is running this festival," Persons said.
Persons said she believes having off-duty Atlanta police officers working as security for the event creates a conflict of interest.
"It's really impacted the quality of life and impacted the safety, public safety," Persons said.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed told Channel 2 Action News Thursday he stands by the right of off-duty officers to privately work for the event.
"But I did hear about the concern and we will look into it and monitor it, and I will speak with the command staff to make sure we keep the right balance," Reed said.
Music Midtown gates open at 4 p.m. Friday and the last act is scheduled to finish at 11 p.m. Saturday.
WSBTV
