MARTA’s push to create housing nodes next to transit stations across Atlanta—and beyond the city’s borders—continues.
Today MARTA officials announced they’ve sold two parcels totaling 1.45 acres next to the Avondale rail station to experienced affordable housing developer Columbia Residential.
The sale provides a slate for the final two components of MARTA’s transit-oriented development at the Decatur station near Avondale Estates’ border, located along the system’s Blue Line. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.
The City of Decatur, Decatur Housing Authority, and DeKalb County are helping pay for the new mixed-income development next to MARTA’s Cortland Decatur East. Three years ago, that project brought nearly 500 rentals, more than 90 reserved for seniors, to what had been underused parking lots at the Avondale station.
The scope of MARTA's TOD development to date and how it connects to Avondale station. Google Maps
The Columbia Ventures and Decatur Housing Authority project is expected to produce 80 more one and two-bedroom apartments for seniors at a range of incomes below 80 percent of area median income.
Perks of the location include direct access to rail transit and a growing slate of relatively dense mixed-use development in the vicinity that’s included restaurants.
Throughout its system, MARTA has 1,500 housing units considered affordable that have finished in recent years, are under construction now, or are in planning phases.
“To have affordable housing with direct access to transit and the greater MARTA system is an incredible advantage for our senior residents,” Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett said in a prepared statement. “[It] greatly improves quality-of-life opportunities to connect with others and to needed services.”
• Photos: Density, walkability near Avondale Estates' MARTA grows (Urbanize Atlanta)
