The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded $1,040,000 in Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) grants for planning studies across metro Atlanta to help communities transform into more walkable, bikeable, live-work-play environments.
Once studies are completed, grant recipients become eligible to apply for federal transportation funding to bring their visions to life, according to a press release.Now in its 26th year, the LCI program helps reduce vehicle miles traveled and improve air quality by creating vibrant, mixed-use developments that encourage walking or other alternate modes of transportation.
Local 2025 LCI Study Grant Recipients
Project Name: Ashby MARTA Station Connectivity Study
Project Sponsor: City of Atlanta
Grant amount: $200,000
This study will advance the vision for a safe, connected, and active Ashby MARTA station. Building off the 2009 Vine City/Washington Park LCI Plan, this tactical study will focus on:
- Eliminating traffic fatalities through safer street design, speed management, and other proven safety measures
- Expanding equitable and affordable mobility options through accessibility improvements, bike/ped projects, and wayfinding to connect more people with the station’s transit service
- Connecting the nearby commercial district with neighborhoods
- Elevating the historic and public spaces around the station to make the public realm more enjoyable, functional, and welcoming.
Project Name: Avondale Estates Downtown Master Plan Update
Project Sponsor: City of Avondale Estates
Grant Amount: $160,000
The 2014 Downtown Master Plan has been a crucial roadmap for Avondale’s downtown revitalization. The 2025 Downtown Master Plan Update will build on the 2014 plan’s success by incorporating recommendations from supplemental studies and policies established over the past 10 years to provide a clear vision for the future in collaboration with developers, city organizations, and regional agencies. This updated plan will provide a vision for land-use and urban design in the downtown area. It will also suggest policies, programs, and partnerships to support better transportation options, more housing, environmental sustainability, and creating enjoyable public spaces through art and placemaking.
Project Name: Kensington Area Master Plan Update
Project Sponsor: DeKalb County
Grant Amount: $200,000
As a follow-up to the Kensington Station Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Master Plan completed by MARTA in 2023, DeKalb County will update the Kensington Master Plan focusing on the 870 acres beyond the TOD area. The plan update will consider the area’s growth and change over the last decade, with a focus on potential redevelopment opportunities for a large catalytic site owned by the county just a short distance from the MARTA station. With the community’s input and updated policies, the county seeks to refine and enhance recommendations from previous studies, creating a community-driven concept for land use and connectivity within the larger LCI area.
Project Name: One Northlake
Project Sponsor: Tucker-Northlake Community Improvement District
Grant Amount: $160,000
The One Northlake Plan aims to identify multimodal connections to help people move more easily throughout the Tucker-Northlake area. With the support of the grant, One Northlake will develop a plan that links planned top-end I-285 bus express lane exits, multi-use trails, bikeshare stations with existing roads, sidewalks, MARTA routes, and a BRT (bus, rapid, transit) proposed station. The plan will be used to help secure funding for these projects and help developers recognize opportunities to align their work with these projects on both sides of the Tucker-DeKalb County boundary.
See the full list of recipients at this link.
