FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2023
MARTA, DEKALB COUNTY ADVANCE KENSINGTON TRANSIT-ORIENTED
DEVELOPMENT WITH REZONING APPROVAL
ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
and DeKalb County will advance a transit-oriented development (TOD) Master Plan
for Kensington rail station on the East/West Line after the DeKalb County Board
of Commissioners approved rezoning the area to support mixed-use development.
The rezoning of the 35 acres that make up Kensington Station to
MU-5 (mixed-use very high density) keeps with the community’s vision for TOD at
the station as defined in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Livable Centers
Initiative Plan and the 2050 DeKalb Unified Plan that was adopted late last
year.
“We are grateful for the support of the DeKalb County Commission
and this vital rezoning designation,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie
Greenwood. “We are now ready to solicit developers to work with MARTA and
DeKalb to turn the undeveloped and underused property around the rail station
into a community hub with affordable housing and neighborhood amenities.”
Last
June, MARTA and DeKalb County kicked off the TOD master planning process with
an interactive website, community meetings and stakeholder engagement. The
Kensington TOD Master Plan includes affordable senior and workforce housing,
and a new headquarters for the Housing Authority of DeKalb County (HADC).
“We
have worked alongside MARTA in developing this TOD master plan and it is
exciting to help achieve this milestone,” said DeKalb County Commissioner Ted
Terry. “This type of development with convenient access to transit builds
strong, connected communities.”
“I
have long supported MARTA and the important role it plays in community
development,” added DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw. “The Kensington
TOD will provide affordable housing and other amenities while reflecting the
diversity and spirit of our county and serve as a catalyst for the planned
revitalization of Memorial Drive.”
MARTA,
DeKalb County, and Soccer in the Streets celebrated the opening of a soccer
pitch and community garden at Kensington Station last July, and a MARTA Market offering
fresh produce for sale is open at the rail station every Thursday from 3 p.m. –
7 p.m.
To learn more about the Kensington Station Master Plan visit Kensington
Station Master Plan Home | Social Pinpoint (mysocialpinpoint.com).
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