A constellation of partners has teamed up to transform the North Ave. MARTA station plaza into an inviting, vibrant community hub with art and events for all to enjoy. Located at Ponce de Leon Ave. and West Peachtree St., the underutilized space will soon become Midtown’s newest outdoor public gathering spot.
Midtown Alliance received a $40,000 Community Placemaking Grant from non-profit Project for Public Spaces, funded by Niantic.
Community-driven vision + programming
Throughout the two-year engagement, Project for Public Spaces facilitated community engagement sessions to shape the plaza’s vision. A series of onsite meetings with Midtown Alliance, MARTA, and community members led to the development of a multi-use outdoor destination that can draw people in and enrich Midtown’s cultural identity.
MARTA Artbound partnership drives transit station upgrade
Midtown Alliance and MARTA have collaborated on projects over the years to enhance spaces around transit stations. Through initiatives like MARTA’s Artbound program, Midtown Alliance and the Midtown Improvement District have implemented colorful public art installations, activity spaces, seating, and other amenities on MARTA property.
“This collaborative art initiative will revitalize the space and help foster community connections, further enriching the vibrancy of Midtown,” said MARTA Director of Art in Transit Katherine Dirga. “MARTA is excited about this artistic partnership.”
MARTA and Midtown Alliance’s ongoing collaboration enhances spaces around transit stations, fostering community connections and supporting the arts economy. The revitalized plaza, serving 15K daily transit riders and 25K visitors, aims to become a bustling activity center offering performances and events.
What you’ll see at the refreshed plaza
The first phase of improvements at the 6,500-square-foot plaza brought upgraded seating, a fresh coat of paint, and landscaping. The next phase will introduce a 30-foot shipping container that doubles as public art and a performance space. The plaza will soon become a buzzing activity center on the south end of the district offering a schedule of music, dance, spoken word, and other performances hosted by Midtown Alliance and MARTA Artbound.
“The plaza is accessible, but few people spend time there today because there is nothing to see or do,” said Ansley Whipple, Midtown Alliance Project Manager for Programming and Activation. “Through these improvements, we hope to make it recognizable as a community asset where people can gather and build social connections. We also hope to enhance the transit experience and encourage more people to ride MARTA.”
Fortune 500 neighbor, local artist, and design firm contribute to project
Located across the street from the venue, Atlanta-based Fortune 500 company Norfolk Southern is a project funding partner, contributing $65,000 for mural art and plaza enhancements. Norfolk Southern operates an artist-in-residence program, providing studio space at its Midtown headquarters for a two-year term. The company partnered with Midtown Alliance to commission its current artist-in-residence, Carla Contreras, for a mural at the North Ave. MARTA station plaza.
Contreras, an Atlanta based American-Ecuadorian multidisciplinary visual artist, has created a dynamic and bright concept titled “Samaras” that explores the beauty of maple seeds blowing in the wind. Providing part of the canvas for Contreras’ work is Atelier7, the Atlanta design firm that also brought shipping container projects to the Atlanta BeltLine Marketplace and Pittsburgh Yards.
The stage is set. Celebrate with Midtown Alliance at a free community event on June 12.
Construction and mural painting kicked off in April, wrapping up by late May. Now, get ready to party on June 12 at the plaza! Live music, tasty food trucks, mobile app games, and loads of fun await. RSVP here.
