FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2022
MARTA CELEBRATES COMPLETION OF EDGEWOOD/CANDLER PARK
TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
ATLANTA - The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid
Transit Authority (MARTA) announces the completion of the Edgewood/Candler Park
transit-oriented development (TOD) on the Blue/Green Line in DeKalb
County.
Since its groundbreaking in 2016, the
6.4-acre TOD has become home to the Spoke and Quill apartment complexes,
including 20 percent affordable housing units, Moving in the Spirit, a creative
youth development program, office space, several retail businesses, and a small
park. The final phase of the three-phase development features a new parking
deck for MARTA customers and TOD residents and patrons, a redesigned bus loop
that can accommodate standard and articulated buses, and art commissioned by
MARTA’s public art program Artbound.
“Edgewood/Candler Park is a perfect example
of how developing near transit can transform and enrich a community, and we are
thrilled to celebrate the completion of another transit-oriented development this
year,” said MARTA Interim General Manager & CEO Collie Greenwood. “This
development fulfills MARTA’s larger TOD and affordable housing commitment
established by the MARTA Board, generates ridership and a return on our ground
leases, and promotes a sustainable, affordable, and growing future for the
people of this region.”
“MARTA appreciates our partners’ dedication
and shared vision of this development,” said MARTA Director of Transit-Oriented
Development Debbie Frank. “Just a few short years ago, this was an underused
space and now it’s a vibrant, amenity-rich community with affordable housing
close to transit. We could not have achieved this without the support of the
Federal Transit Administration, Atlanta Regional Commission, Columbia Ventures,
Invest Atlanta, the City of Atlanta, and Moving in the Spirit.”
“When co-founder, Genene Stewart and I
started dreaming of building Moving in the Spirit's forever home, it was
critical that we join a development and community where we can share our art
and reach so many young people because we’re close to transit. This
powerful partnership proves that dreams do come true,” said Moving in the
Spirit co-founder and CEO Dana Lupton.
Edgewood/Candler Park TOD by the numbers:
- Phase 1 (completed in 2017)
- Spoke Apartments - 202 units (including 22 affordable units)
- Phase 2 (completed in 2020)
- Moving in the Spirit - 21,000 sq. ft. cultural facility, ½ acre
park, 8,000 sq. ft. retail/office building
- Phase 3 (completed in
2022) - Quill Apartments - 155 units (including 53 affordable
units), new bus loop, shared 393-space parking deck for MARTA customers,
apartment tenants, and retail guests
- Development cost - $95
million
- Bus loop and MARTA replacement
parking - $4.7 million Federal Highway Administration Surface
Transportation Block Grant (includes 25 percent local match from MARTA)
MARTA’s public art program Artbound
commissioned two pieces for the TOD: The Great Migration by Deedee
Morrison (Deedee
Morrison Sculpture)
and The Unseen by Christina Kwan (Christina Kwan (christinakwanart.com)). The Great Migration sculpture is
a powerful visual representation of history and biogeography during the day and
comes alive at night with the added dimension of light. The Unseen mural
explores the elemental force of wind; how it shapes our landscape and plays an
integral part in our ecosystem.
“These unique works are a thoughtful and
moving addition to the Edgewood/Candler Park development, beautifying the
space, connecting art to audience, and celebrating the diverse natural habitat
of Georgia,” said Art in Transit Director Katherine Dirga.
MARTA’s Office of Transit-Oriented
Development has led additional successful developments at Lindbergh Center,
Chamblee, Avondale, and King Memorial rail stations, with plans for TODs at
Arts Center, Bankhead, and other MARTA properties. Additionally, the Office of
TOD is partnering with Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs respectively to
preserve and support the development of affordable housing near transit.
To view time lapse video of the
Edgewood/Candler Park TOD construction visit https://youtu.be/G-mThaZh6S8.
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