MARTA moves forward with transit-oriented development

ATLANTA — The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) released a Request For Qualifications (RFQ) to identify a master development partner to help create a new Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) at the King Memorial rail station in Downtown Atlanta. MARTA selected King Memorial Station as the first of five TODs that it plans to launch within the next two years. MARTA is focusing on TODs as part of a long-term strategy to transform the agency by generating new revenues, building economically vibrant communities adjacent to its rail stations, and fostering additional transit ridership.

The RFQ is the initial phase of a two-step process wherein potential development partners will be asked to respond to MARTA’s qualification criteria for its TOD program. A short list of firms who satisfy the criteria will subsequently be invited to submit formal bids on the project as part of a future Request for Proposals (RFP).

MARTA’s new TOD initiative was unveiled on March 7, 2013 at Development Day, an event that was co-sponsored with the Atlanta Regional Commission and which attracted more than 250 participants.

“Our TOD program represents a major initiative that will enable us to effectively leverage MARTA’s existing real estate assets by partnering with the development community,” said MARTA General Manager Keith T. Parker. “We are excited about the prospect of executing innovative business strategies that make MARTA more financially sustainable while also providing benefits to our customers and to the Atlanta region.”

The four-acre site at King Memorial station is an ideal location for a TOD because the area is zoned for medium to high-density development that’s compatible with residential, educational, commercial and cultural uses. The planned TOD at King Memorial is in rapidly developing area that’s a short train ride east of MARTA’s Five Points station and within convenient walking distance to the Georgia State University campus.

In recent years, new multifamily housing, restaurants and small offices have been built nearby. The proposed TOD is adjacent to the historic Oakland Cemetery, it’s just blocks away from the proposed Capitol Gateway Linear Park that will connect the cemetery to the Georgia State Capitol and about a quarter mile from the Atlanta Streetcar route.

View and download the RFQ proposal documents by registering on MARTA’s website at https://martabid.itsmarta.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=1000.