Public Meetings for Atlanta’s “Grand Central” Transit Project

March 14th, 2012

Tonight is the first of a series of public meetings about a transit project that could link Atlanta’s buses, trains, and future streetcar.

Transit officials have long dreamt of a central terminal in downtown Atlanta. Many now see it within reach.

Locally known as the Gulch, it’s the 100 acre area surrounding Phillips Arena and MARTA’s Five Points station.

“It’s just a vast array of pretty much nothingness: parking lot space, abandoned buildings, rail track, an overpass,” said Barron.

That’s Karlene Barron, a spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Transportation.

GDOT and city officials have spent millions over the last two decades coming up with ideas for the land. Barron says those ideas are now in a final phase of consideration.

“It could mean some place that will be a terminus for local-owned regional buses: the GRTA (Georgia Regional Transportation Authority) system, Greyhound, Amtrak, light rail,” said Barron. “Also looking at the possibility for mixed-use, an area where people can work or play.”

Of the many unresolved issues, Barron says ultimate cost and traffic impact will be decisive factors.

Last summer state officials decided on a Cleveland-based company to act as the project’s master planner. The company will deliver a final plan by 2014.

Meanwhile, Atlanta’s other transit projects move forward. Construction for Atlanta’s downtown streetcar is underway and scheduled to be finished in 2013. And this summer, the metro region will hold a referendum on a penny sales tax for additional transportation projects.