MARTA wins RAISE grant to transform Five Points rail station

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has obtained a $25 million grant through the federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program to help transform the exterior of Five Points rail station in downtown Atlanta.

The $200 million project calls for structural upgrades that will improve connectivity, boost safety and improve the quality of life for downtown residents and Atlanta visitors, MARTA officials said in a press release.

In addition, the project would 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.

The 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.

MARTA is working with city officials on final design concepts with a shared goal of deconstructing and removing the canopy in the station's center. The project also would establish a bus hub and public or green space.

MARTA has selected Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to lead the design of the canopy deconstruction and removal and Skanska Building USA as the construction management contractor to oversee the project. Deconstruction will begin in 2024 with a project completion goal of 2028.

All rail and bus service will continue to operate out of Five Points during construction, MARTA officials said.

"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.