Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
We create JOY in our communities by connecting people to jobs, food, healthcare, education, housing, greenspace, sport and love — all accessible through public transit.
Image Description: The image above shows a pedestrian walking a dog on a new sidewalk with newly constructed retail and office space in the background near Edgewood/Candler Park Station
The Office of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) plays a vital role in advancing MARTA’s mission to create vibrant and sustainable communities across the region. This office focuses on developing mixed income, mixed-use, and high-density projects situated around transit hubs, which are strategically located to maximize accessibility and convenience.
By integrating various elements such as residential, commercial, and recreational spaces within these developments, the TOD seeks to create environments where people can live, work, and play—all within walking distance of public transit. This approach not only aims to enhance ridership among public transportation users but also fosters greater community connectivity by encouraging the development of pedestrian-friendly areas.
Furthermore, the TOD office is committed to supporting long-term sustainable growth in the region by ensuring that new developments are environmentally responsible and aligned with community needs. In doing so, the TOD contributes to a more interconnected and thriving urban landscape, ultimately improving the quality of life for residents.
MARTA’s TOD team manages the transit system’s land holdings to create value for our patrons, the communities in which we operate, and the Authority.
Our joint development efforts grow MARTA’s long-term fixed income portfolio (ground leases) for the benefit of our transit operations.
We think about people first and then the environmental design around them. Using all five senses, we encourage our development partners to focus on enhancing the JOY of riding our system.
We utilize our project management and finance skill set to actively pursue “value capture” and public–private partnership solutions to accelerate transit expansion and to create infill station opportunities throughout the MARTA system.
TOD Master Plans
Indian Creek Master Plan
Kensington Master Plan
Bankhead Master Plan
HE Holmes Master Plan
Review TOD Guidelines and Policies
Success Stories
- Transit Oriented Development (TOD’s)
- King Memorial
- Edgewood Chandler Park
- Avondale
- Ground Leases
- Kensington
- Lennox
- Resurgens
- Lindbergh
Image Description: A train pulls into Edgewood/Candler Park Station with newly developed housing located behind the station and Mixed commercial and residential TOD near Avondale Station.
Areas of Emphasis
Social Infrastructure
Some of our early activation programs:
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Fresh MARTA Markets – Offering fresh, locally sourced produce in underserved areas of our region, we provide local farmers with opportunities to sell their products while enhancing access to healthy food options.
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Station Soccer – Providing underserved children access to athletic programs, and promoting physical activity and community engagement.
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Artbound – MARTA’s public art initiative that transforms transit spaces with engaging, site-specific artwork, enriching the travel experience.
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iVillage@MLK – Supporting small, locally owned, minority businesses by providing incubators and resources for growth and development
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Clayton County Mobile Market – In partnership with
GOODR, this initiative brings a free mobile grocery store to communities, providing fresh produce, dairy products, and shelf-stable items. The program aims to support and enrich underserved areas, particularly those with limited access to fresh food.
Impact Investment Management
As fiduciaries for MARTA and our jurisdictional partners, we are responsible for delivering both social and financial returns, ensuring that our investments create meaningful value for the community while also achieving sustainable financial outcomes.
Rail + Property Model
We develop ground leases that strategically support MARTA’s transit operations and Capital Programs, ensuring the efficient use of land to enhance transit infrastructure and long-term value.
Portfolio Summary
We currently oversee a valued ground lease portfolio near $133 million, with significant potential for growth, driven by MARTA’s extensive land and air rights holdings. Planned and under-construction TOD projects are expected to add an estimated $260 million in value over the next several years as these initiatives are completed. This growth will strategically position MARTA for enhanced long-term value and community impact.
Value Capture + PPP
MARTA is evaluating innovative opportunities to leverage strategically structured ground leases at our Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs) as a means to finance the expansion of our transit system and enhance station infrastructure. Through these efforts, we aim to maximize the value of our properties while fostering mutually beneficial public-private partnerships to support sustainable growth and development.
Programmatic Ventures
Leveraging a small, dedicated core team of MARTA TOD professionals, we actively pursue opportunities to expand our impact through programmatic ventures in collaboration with other governmental agencies, including economic development and housing authorities. These strategic partnerships allow us to scale our efforts, drive sustainable development, and enhance community outcomes across MARTA’s service areas.
Unsolicited Proposals
We recognize that great ideas can come from anywhere, which is why we encourage our development community to share their innovative proposals with us. We are open to exploring new opportunities that can enhance our transit-oriented development initiatives and create lasting value for our communities.