MARTA, city of Decatur issue RFP for development near Avondale rail station

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and the city of Decatur, Ga., are seeking applicants to participate in a planned redevelopment of a seven-acre parcel at the Avondale rail station that will be transformed into a transit-oriented development (TOD), MARTA officials announced yesterday.

Decatur officials have issued a request for proposals due Sept. 19, with a mandatory, pre-proposal conference scheduled for Sept. 10. A master developer or development team could be selected by year's end, according to a MARTA press release.

About 62 acres exist within a quarter-mile radius of the Avondale station that are prime for development, city officials said. Avondale is located on MARTA's Blue Line.

"The Avondale TOD has great potential to promote economic opportunity while maximizing the investments we've made to provide options for our residents to walk, bike or use transit," said Lyn Menne, Decatur's assistant manager for community and economic development.

To learn more about TOD projects, read this article in Progressive Railroading's July issue.