The Rick Ross Car & Bike Show is set to rev up for the second year in a row on June 3rd, but the road to event day has been bumpy. Due disorganization and extremely high traffic from last year’s event, community members are pushing to prevent this year’s show from taking place altogether. 

“Last year this event polarized and paralyzed a community of approximately 800 homes spanning 5 subdivisions at levels that others and I have never experienced,” said Bobby Ferrell, President of The North Fayette Community Association. 

“This event with over 7000 patrons caught Fayette County officials off guard and severely impacted emergency service response times leaving residents to endure an unprecedented community nightmare,” he added. 

Early in May, Ferrell sent this letter to Tom Jones of WSBTV after his initial coverage of the story in May.

The inaugural event brought together a variety of car enthusiasts, vendors, and celebrities from across the nation. Hundreds of event goers expected to pay a minimum of $250 to enter the property, while the vendors forked over at least $2.5K. 

If you missed last year’s festivities, check out the recap via our Youtube channel.

Although the 105 acre property is large enough to hold an outdoor event of this magnitude, community members were caught off guard last year and weathered extreme inconveniences that left a sour taste about their high-profiled neighbor. Originally built for heavyweight boxing champion, Evander Holyfield in 1994, Ross’ property sits on a 1.8 mile two lane highway that connects the bottom of South Fulton to North Fayetteville. 

Residents, who live on this stretch, have vividly expressed their level of inconvenience on event day. Many have had their driveways blocked, bumper-to-bumper, and reported vehicle break-ins. 

Naturally, residents are afraid that last year’s show will be a direct reflection of this weekend, and it seems their inconvenience has already started. On Tuesday afternoon, a semi truck delivering equipment hit and tore down power lines by his property’s second entrance, leaving families without power until dark. 

“My child just had surgery and we just came home today. No power, no air. Nothing,” said neighbor Erica Clark. 

Measures of Improvement by Ross’ Team

Due to a group of neighbors taking legal action against Ross’ estate ( Mastermind Investments, LLC) and releasing their own letter to the press, Ross has made an attempt to ease traffic that day for his disgruntled neighbors.

His plans include:

• Provide impacted neighbors with two “Resident Access Permit Passes” that would allow their vehicles to pass through both ends of HWY 138, which will be policed and prohibit non-community members from access. 
• Installed blacked-out fencing surrounding the property to prevent rubbernecking onlookers.
• Hired over 200 off duty and on duty police officers for increased presence.
• Installed multiple digital boards in the surrounding areas alerting traffic of restricted access / no parking.
• Designated event-goer parking lots situated off site with shuttle transportation on and off Ross’ property. 

Despite lingering concerns, community members said they will still be on their toes on event day to see if his team’s plans were effective. Time will tell. 

We will provide updates on this developing story as they become available.

Here’s last year’s recap!