FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2022
MARTA AWARDED FEDERAL
GRANT FOR FIVE POINTS STATION TRANSFORMATION
Project Receives
Resounding Bipartisan Support from Local, State & Federal Government
ATLANTA - The
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has been awarded a $25
million grant through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with
Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program to help transform
the exterior of Five Points rail station in downtown Atlanta.
The
Five Points Transformation Project includes structural upgrades that will
improve connectivity, boost safety, and enhance the quality of life for
downtown residents and Atlanta’s ten million annual visitors. Additionally, the
modernization will accelerate $10 billion in private investment and serve as a
catalyst for attracting hundreds of millions of dollars in potential
transit-oriented development in an area that has suffered from
under-investment.
“Transit has proven essential in creating
equitable opportunity and sparking development in the metro Atlanta region,”
said MARTA Interim General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood. “The resounding,
bipartisan support for this project from the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia,
and now federal government underscores its importance and the long-term
economic impacts that go beyond the renovation of a rail station and reveals
the true transformative nature of transit.”
The approximately
$200 million project is primarily funded through the More MARTA Atlanta sales
tax, with an additional commitment from the State through the Georgia Transit
Trust Fund and the $25 million RAISE grant made possible by the continued
support of our Federal Delegation, namely Senator Reverend Raphael
Warnock, Senator Jon Ossoff, and Congresswoman Nikema Williams.
“Here in the best
state to live, work, and raise a family, we’ve worked hard to build strong
partnerships between state and local transportation agencies, the private
sector, and all levels of government so hardworking Georgians can easily get to
home, work, and anywhere beyond,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “I’m proud our
efforts have been recognized with this grant, and I look forward to seeing its
impact – as well as that of our own investments – on transforming this MARTA
station into a hub for travel, commerce, and culture.”
“Our flagship Five
Points MARTA station is a not just a transit hub – but also an economic engine
– for our capital city and the surrounding region,” said Speaker David Ralston.
“This significant federal grant demonstrates the importance of this investment
in our transit infrastructure. Our state government will continue to partner
with MARTA on initiatives like this to spur job creation and expand economic opportunity
for all Georgians.”
MARTA is working
closely with the City of Atlanta on final design concepts with a shared goal of
deconstructing and removing the canopy in the center of the station,
establishing a centralized bus hub, and including a public or green space,
creating a safe, inviting, and active rail station that increases accessibility
to jobs and opportunities and contributes to the long-term economic development
of the city, state and region.
“The award of this
$25 million RAISE Grant is a big win for Atlanta and will enhance connectivity
beyond our city limits—just as connectivity reached beyond partisan lines so
our Federal, State and local leaders could deliver a significant infrastructure
investment for our communities,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “Thank you to
President Biden, Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, Congresswoman Williams,
Senators Ossoff and Warnock and other members our Federal delegation, Governor
Kemp, and everyone here at the local level who worked together to strengthen an
equitable, safer and modern transportation infrastructure for the people we
serve.”
The Five Points
Transformation Project will have a direct impact for those customers currently
using MARTA and make transit a more attractive choice for those who live
nearby. Encouraging use of public transit to destinations surrounding Five
Points reduces the need for surface parking downtown, allowing spaces to be
redeveloped as affordable housing, green spaces, and other amenities that
improve quality of life and enhance a city landscape. This effort supports
fiscally responsible land use, reducing transportation costs and commute time
for residents and reducing traffic congestion.
MARTA has selected
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to lead the design of the canopy deconstruction
and removal and Skanska Building USA as the Construction Management at Risk
(CMAR) contractor to oversee the project. Deconstruction will begin in 2024
with a project completion goal of 2028. All bus and rail service will continue
to operate out of Five Points during the work and construction of the City’s
first bus rapid transit (BRT) line along nearby Summerhill Avenue with a
connection to Five Points, will also progress with service scheduled to begin
in 2025. The MARTA Police Five Points Precinct will be temporarily relocated
across the street at Underground Atlanta.
A separate train
platform rehabilitation project at Five Points that is part of MARTA’s
multi-year Station Rehabilitation Program is progressing as scheduled with
construction beginning in September.
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