The Federal Transit Administration has awarded a $750,000 grant to MARTA for “equitable redevelopment in historically underserved communities” along the future bus rapid transit line (BRT) on Campbellton Road.
The grant will support the development of a transit oriented development (TOD) master plan formulated in 2023 to implement the recommendations and help identify possible sources of public and private funding for development.
“We’ve been working on TOD planning along the Campbellton line because we know from past experience that development often happens before construction has begun,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood in a press release. “We’ve developed a vision for the type of density and equitable development that will support transit along the Campbellton Corridor, and this FTA grant will help us create an implementation plan that will bring that vision into a reality.”
“Transportation and housing are the two biggest costs for most Americans,” said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool in the release. “This funding will help MARTA reach more homes and grow the economy while helping people access housing options that are more affordable. FTA has a simple message for communities across this country: if you are building good projects well, you will have the support of this Administration.”
The Campbellton Corridor is a 6-mile, center-running bus rapid transit line connecting Oakland City Station to a new Greenbriar transit hub, terminating at the Barge Road park-and-ride. The FTA funded study along the route will focus on opportunities to address food insecurity, affordable housing, the unsheltered, economic development, education, greenspace, stormwater management, and transit accessibility.
MARTA has completed successful TOD projects at Edgewood/Candler Park, King Memorial, and Avondale rail stations. A groundbreaking for the Kensington TOD was held last fall and a community celebration and unveiling for the TOD plan at Indian Creek Station this past weekend. TOD planning studies continue at H.E. Holmes and Bankhead Stations, and on future BRT lines Clayton Southlake, Clayton SR54 and Clifton Corridor.