I-20 East Extension Equitable TOD Strategy
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), GA
MARTA is planning to build its first new line in over 20 years. The proposed I-20 East Extension would extend MARTA’s heavy rail service for 12 miles. BAE worked within a multidisciplinary team as the land use economist and eTOD expert, evaluating demographic and market conditions for the corridor and six proposed station areas to determine the potential for private investment along the proposed route, evaluate value capture potential, and identify strategies to minimize displacement of existing residents.
The I-20 East Extension would serve suburban DeKalb County and traverse through unincorporated DeKalb County, as well as the City of Lithonia and the newly formed City of Stonecrest. Historically, this area is an African-American working class suburb that is transit dependent and has lower income levels and property values than the region. Community members are concerned that transit investments will lead to resident displacement. At the same time, MARTA and DeKalb County want to promote higher density development around transit stations to create communities with a critical mass of ridership and improve mobility in the neighborhoods. These two goals have resulted in the need for an Equitable TOD (eTOD) Strategy that promotes private investment while protecting vulnerable residents.
As part of its work, BAE analyzed demographic conditions to determine the vulnerability of resident displacement from increasing property values, as well as the market conditions to determine which station areas have potential for new development. Together, these metrics create an Equity Typology that identifies those station areas that could see resident displacement. BAE relied on national best practices for displacement minimization, and worked with a variety of stakeholders from developers, to affordable housing advocates, to workforce development practitioners to create an eTOD Strategy that allows for new development and area revitalization while protecting vulnerable residents from displacement.