Media Contact
William Inman
Executive Editor
Public Relations and Marketing Communications
[email protected]
Dear Panther Family,
Since becoming president of Georgia State in 2021, I have had dozens of conversations with the City of Atlanta, corporate partners and public safety organizations to think through ways we can all work together to ensure the safety of our community. Like you, my heart sinks each time I hear a report of a shooting or crime near any of our campuses.
After yesterday’s tragic events, and shortly after our debrief, the CEO of RaceTrac announced that the company is permanently closing the store location near our residential corridor. We will be extending our communications with the owners of the land where the RaceTrac and other businesses are located. As the store closes, it is imperative that the lot is secured, the owners take responsibility and we remain vigilant in our efforts to continue to improve the area. We will be working hard to help ensure future use of that parcel is more compatible with a college campus and the experience that our students and campus community members should have.
We all deserve to live, work, study and engage in a safe and welcoming environment. The university has invested millions of dollars in immediate safety and operations improvements, and we continue to make strides in our long-term comprehensive plan to enhance our campus core, wayfinding and pathways through and around our spaces.
Our campus community and our families deserve a safer environment. I pledge I will continue to do all in my power to provide it.
Sincerely,
M. Brian Blake
President