🌱 $6.5B For South Downtown + APD Summer Safety Program + HIV Testing

Hello and happy Monday! I'm back in your inbox this warm morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening in town today.

First, today's weather:

Humid with clouds and sun. High: 94 Low: 74.

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Here are the top five stories today in Atlanta:

1. Downtown Atlanta will see $6.5 billion in investment over the next five years. According to Alena Green, Director of Economic Development Central Atlanta Progress, the investment will go toward retail, restaurants, improved public and green space, and housing across south downtown. Click here for a list of public and private projects planned, in progress, or recently completed in south Atlanta. (CBS 46 News)
2. If you've seen more officers around Atlanta parks lately, there's a good reason: the Atlanta Police Department has launched its Summer Safety Program to address crime in city parks. According to Sgt. John Chafee, the department has seen an uptick in narcotics sales inside and around Butler Park. APD officers have recently ramped up their bike patrols in the area to increase visibility and "stay ahead of crime trends." (WSB-TV 2)
3. The Empowerment Resource Center (ERC) will offer confidential, free HIV testing at Woodruff Park on Thursday, Jun. 23. The event, developed in support of National HIV Testing Day, will run from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Members of the outreach team will be available at the park for rapid testing as well as counseling. (WCLK)
4. The Atlanta Police Department is seeking the public's help in finding a person of interest in a January homicide case. Homicide detectives with the department are looking for 37-year-old Terry Lynn Roach, known to frequent the Pine Street area where the fatal shooting took place. Roach is reportedly wanted for questioning and does not have an active murder warrant out on him at the time of publication. Anyone with information on Roach's whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS or leave a tip online. (WSB Atlanta)
5. Looking for a new home in the Atlanta area? Start your search with this week's local real estate roundup, courtesy of Patch and Redfin. Check out the latest five properties to hit the market, including a spacious single-family home on Spring Valley Lane and a modern condo on 17th Street featuring scenic views of the city. (Atlanta Patch)

Today in Atlanta:

• Father's Day Programming At Children's Museum of Atlanta (10:00 AM)
• Atlanta Main Street Cafe At Little Five Points Center For Arts and Community (1:00 PM)
• Connect With Councilman Corey A. Reeves, Virtual Event (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport now have one less thing to worry about when traveling abroad: as of this past weekend, the U.S. requirement that travelers test negative for COVID-19 before boarding a flight has officially come to an end. (WSB Atlanta)
• 2-year-old Aubrey Elaine Paige, who was previously abducted in metro Atlanta, has been found safe as of Saturday evening. (WSB Atlanta)
• With temperatures in Atlanta expected to be in the upper 90s with a heat index of over 100° next week, it’s important to remember heat can be dangerous. Stay indoors when possible, keep hydrated, and never leave people or pets alone in a closed vehicle. (Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (AFCEMA) via Facebook)

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Events:

• Hear Us Roar! (June 18)
• Hire A Pro To Clean Up The Yard For Dad (June 19)
• Wellness Together Walk-Along At Cumberland Mall (June 21)
• Forgotten Pearls: A Tribute to Patrice Rushen, Roberta Flack & Minnie Riperton (July 9)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update!

— Danielle Fallon

About me: Danielle Fallon is a senior writer with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.