Mayor Andre Dickens announced Monday plans to build four new MARTA stations, including the first station to connect rail to the Atlanta BeltLine.
Dickens announced the MARTA expansion during his State of the City address at the Woodruff Arts Center. The annual invitation-only event is presented to hundreds of the city’s top business and civic leaders and sponsored by Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company
One station is planned to be built at Murphy Crossing. The 20-acre site in Oakland City is adjacent to the Beltline’s Westside Trail. The station in southwest Atlanta would be the first to link MARTA rail to the Beltline.
Expanding MARTA to residents in more areas of the city is key to creating thriving neighborhoods as the city continues to grow, Dickens said.
The last time a MARTA rail station was built in the city was the Buckhead Station in 1996.
“Our current MARTA rail system is underutilized, in part, because we don’t have enough stations located where our residents need them most,” Dickens said.
“A better, more accessible rail system is key to Atlanta’s future and I am committed to ensuring that Atlanta residents have access to the quality transportation they deserve,” he said.
Details of where the three other infill MARTA stations will be built and how they will be funded are expected to be released in “the coming days,” according to a city spokesperson.
MARTA’s Board of Directors committee meetings, including the planning and capital programs committee, will meet March 28.
MARTA spokesperson Stephany Fisher said in a written statement MARTA “is committed to advancing the More MARTA Atlanta Program, for the benefit of the region.”
“The establishment of infill stations at key nodes along the Atlanta BeltLine holds great potential to maximize MARTA’s rail system to bring mobility and accessibility to a wider population while fostering future growth and prosperity,” Fisher said.
In other speech highlights:
• The mayor said Atlanta’s population is nearing an all-time high of 500,000 residents and over 6 million living in metro Atlanta. That makes Atlanta the sixth largest in metro in America.
• Redevelopment of Two Peachtree tower for affordable housing is on track and the city has identified 40 more pieces of property for affordable housing. Dickens said another version of The Melody – the Downtown development for transitional housing made of former shipping containers – is also in the works.
• A new senior citizens-oriented recreation facility will feature golf, a restaurant, activities, art events, and more. Ground is expected to be broken this summer in southwest Atlanta.
• A new performing arts space will open in West End named after award-winning playwright Pearl Cleage and her husband Zaron Burnett.
Collin Kelley contributed to this report.