1. SOUTH DOWNTOWN TRANSIT
STATION ENHANCEMENT PLAN
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FIVE POINTS
& GARNETT STATIONS
2015
Prepared by:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2. 2 | SOUTH DOWNTOWN TRANSIT STATION ENHANCEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PROJECT PURPOSE
Project Background
Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) and the Atlanta
Downtown Improvement District (ADID) hired a consultant
team led by TSW that included Contente Consulting,
Nelson Nygaard, and Gabler Youngston (“Project
Team”) to research, evaluate, design, document, and
execute creative placemaking and ‘tactical urbanism’
enhancements for Downtown Atlanta’s South central
business district’s MARTA rail stations, specifically the
Five Points and Garnett stations. This report identifies
and illustrates immediate-, short-, and long-term projects
to transform the appearance of and experience at the two
rail stations.
The Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) Livable
Centers Initiatives (LCI) Supplemental Study Program
provided funding for this study. The ARC developed
the LCI program to provide assistance to communities
seeking to create new plans for quality growth, by
developing innovative policies that support more vibrant,
connected communities. Once LCI studies and plans are
complete, those communities are eligible for additional
LCI funding. ARC rewards past recipients by offering
additional funding resources for transportation projects
and supplemental studies to help implement the LCI
plans.
CAP / ADID completed the Imagine Downtown Encore/
Downtown Atlanta LCI Plan in 2009, which was adopted
by reference into the City of Atlanta’s Comprehensive
Development Plan and received approval from the ARC
as a grandfathered LCI Plan (referred to as the Downtown
Atlanta LCI Plan). CAP and its affiliate organization ADID,
and the City of Atlanta are committed to implementing
the recommendations and projects identified by the
Downtown Atlanta LCI plan. The Downtown Atlanta LCI
plan includes a recommendation in the short-term work
program to improve the appearance and operations of
the Five Points MARTA rail station and recommendations
related to encouraging transit-oriented development
around the Garnett MARTA rail station.
In 2013, the Atlanta City Council’s Downtown
Development Technical Advisory Group (DDTAG) - a
group focused on tactics to attract private investment to
South Downtown - identified the need for a collaborative
community effort to improve the appearance and
operations of the Five Points Station. In April 2014, during
the American Planning Association National Conference
held in Atlanta, the American Institute of Certified Planners
(AICP) hosted a planning workshop to identify specific
obstacles that have deterred implementation of the
community’s LCI vision. The workshop focused on the
six-block stretch along Broad Street SW that connects the
Five Points and Garnett stations - from Upper Alabama
Street to Trinity Avenue. Together these efforts have
produced a groundswell of interest in revitalizing South
Downtown, beginning with strategies to implement quick,
inexpensive projects that make a small part of the city
more vibrant and enjoyable.
Beyond Downtown Atlanta, cities, transit agencies, and
other related organizations across the United States are
engaging communities to help build ‘transit cultures’ - a
concept wherein public transit is universally accepted
as a viable transportation option, and the experience is
appreciated. CAP / ADID seeks to integrate this concept
in the development of the South Downtown Transit
Station Enhancements Plan. The end goal of the study
is to increase ridership for the MARTA system by using
these two stations as assets to drive adjacent real estate
investment. Another primary project goal is improving
the current identity and experience of MARTA rail service
– specifically at the Five Points and Garnett stations –
through the enhancement of the physical environments
of the station areas with designs that are contextual and
unique to Downtown Atlanta.

3. Map 1.1 | SITE CONTEXT
N
Dome / GWCC /
Philips / CNNVine City
Garnett
Five Points
Peachtree
Center
Civic
Center
King
Memorial
Georgia
State
PeachtreeStreet
NorthsideDrive
Broad
Street
I-20
I-75 / 85
Boulevard
FIVE POINTS GARNETT STATIONS | 3
SITE VISIT + MARTA EFFORTS
In addition to an extensive existing conditions research
and assessment process, the Project Team visited the
Five Points and Garnett stations in July 2014 with MARTA
representatives, City of Atlanta representatives, MARTA
Police, and CAP / ADID to gain a better understanding
of how the stations function and any efforts currently
underway to improve them. At MARTA’s request, all
improvements must be easy to maintain, safe, secure,
and ADA-compliant.
Current MARTA Efforts
Projects currently underway or recently completed
include:
• Bus coordination system-wide
• Vending and retailing concessions study for Five Points
Station
• Study of landscaping and irrigation improvements at all
rail stations
• Stone façade polishing at Five Points Station
• Added planter fencing at Five Points Station
• Light fixture conversion to LED prioritized in order of
train platforms, concourses, then outdoor areas
• Interior and exterior signage improvements by station
• Audio Visual Information System (AVIS) project for
exterior real-time bus and train information signs for all
transit stations within MARTA property lines

4. RESEARCH
• Project Team Site Visit
• Previous Planning Efforts
• Base Mapping of Existing
Conditions & Demographics
STEERING
COMMITTEE /
FOCUS GROUPS
INPUT (on-going)
ANALYSIS
• Survey Results
• Intercept Results
• Station Area
Assessments
CAP / ADID +
MARTA
INTERNAL CHARRETTE
• Guiding Principles
• Planning Recommendations
• Design Recommendations
• Plan Graphics
CAP / ADID +
MARTA
STATION
INTERCEPTS
TACTICAL URBANISM /
IMMEDIATE PROJECTS
4 | SOUTH DOWNTOWN TRANSIT STATION ENHANCEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
DESIGN PROCESS
The Project Team’s design and public input process is
outlined in the diagram to the right. The results of the
Project Team’s efforts are site plans for each station, a
prioritized list of projects with timelines, Action Groups
for project implementation, and a selection of projects for
2015 implementation with corresponding imagery and
basic construction documents. The full South Downtown
Transit Station Enhancement Plan report contains the
comprehensive descriptions for each part of the process.
Research + Station Assessments
The Project Team performed a comprehensive research
effort to fully understand the issues and opportunities
surrounding the two stations prior to making design
recommendations and prior to much of the public input
process. This process included previous planning studies,
site visits, base mapping for existing conditions and
demographics, and station area assessments. The base
mapping exercise at the Downtown and Station Study
Area levels included analyzing data, such as community
resources, existing land use, vacant parcels and parking
lots, land ownership and current / future development
projects, transportation networks, demographics, and
crime statistics from 2010 to 2014.
The Project Team conducted station area assessments
Key Public Input Milestone
Feedback Loop
Project Team Process
Project Team Analysis
based on a series of criteria derived from the overarching
issues that became apparent during focus group meetings
and station intercepts. These include urban context within
one block of the stations; safety and security in and
around the stations; wayfinding and signage; usable public
space; and circulation, access, and views. Each of these
overarching issues was divided into detailed criteria that
address each of the issues, ranked on a scale of 1 to 5.
Station Intercepts (2014)
The Project Team formed a marketing strategy around
the pride-building concepts of “I Choose MARTA” and
“MARTA Makeover.” These themes were reflected during
the station intercepts and in all marketing materials. Efforts
were advertised with post cards, e-mail newsletters, news
articles, team members attending community meetings,
signs in the MARTA stations, a project website with project
Diagram 1.1 | DESIGN PROCESS

5. ANALYSIS
• Steering Committee
comments
• CAP / ADID Comments
• Public Workshop
Feedback
• Survey Results
PRIORITIZATION
• Impact score for each project
• Cost score for each project
• Scatterplots for impact vs. cost
• Station assessment adjust-
ments
• Preliminary Implementation
Priority List
PUBLIC
WORKSHOP
STEERING
COMMITTEE /
NEIGHBORHOOD
GROUPS
FIVE POINTS
INTERCEPT
PRIORITIZED LIST
OF PROJECTS
ACTION GROUPS FOR
IMPLEMENTATION
INPUT (on-going)
ANALYSIS
• Intercept Results for
Tactical Projects
• Feedback from
neighborhood groups
• Cost and feasibility of
projects
CAP / ADID +
MARTA
CAP / ADID +
MARTA
FINAL
RESULTS
FIVE POINTS GARNETT STATIONS | 5
information and a survey link, and a Facebook page
with frequent updates. The Project Team and volunteers
visited the Five Points and Garnett stations, Georgia State
University, and Woodruff Park during station “intercepts”
over two days in October 2014 to survey people riding
MARTA and to capture feedback from non-riders. The goal
of these activities was to capture data through a variety
of methods to inform design decisions, including surveys
for both stations and Non-MARTA riders; an interactive
activity with a ball-toss and buckets for reasons people
ride MARTA; and a visual preference survey to allow
visitors to use dots on photos to indicate features that
would improve their MARTA experiences.
Public Workshop Results (2014)
The Project Team displayed the preliminary designs during
a workshop with the Steering Committee in December
2014. The same ideas were unveiled in the same location
and at Five Points Station the next day for the public.
Visitors were encouraged to provide their feedback
directly on the displays, and the Project Team recorded
specific comments. The design concepts and images were
available online at the project website. An online survey
allowed users to prioritize the changes for the immediate-,
short-, and long-term design recommendations and to
provide additional feedback for each station.
Five Points Intercept (2015)
After design work, prioritization, and feedback analysis,
in February 2015, the Project Team presented the project
prioritization list and recommended tactical urbanism
projects to the neighborhood associations and held
another intercept at Five Points Station for one day to
capture riders’ input on the tactical urbanism projects.
The Ball / Basket exercise was reconfigured to show
the possible tactical projects with their associated
implementation costs. Participants were given as many
balls to toss as they needed to reach the $20,000 budget
given for the tactical demonstration.

6. IMMEDIATE (TACTICAL)
Improve real and
perceived security
issues with:
• More lighting
• Sidewalk improvements
• Increasing viewsheds
• Eliminating circulation
bottlenecks
Utilize station’s
public plazas with:
• Programmed space for
flexible uses
• Flexible access control
• Better pedestrian access
/ circulation
Enhance signage /
wayfinding inside,
to, and from by:
• Adding signage in
key areas visible to
pedestrians
• Making the station a
recognizable landmark
Improve the
appearance and
maintenance with:
• Beautification through a
consistent design palette
• Removing clutter make
landscape easy to
maintain
Increase station
connectivity and
access by:
• Lighting station entrances
• Reducing circulation
bottlenecks in and around
the station
• Adding midblock crossings
SHORT-TERM
Community - Based
and Driven
Agency and MARTA
Driven
INCREASE RIDERSHIP Five Points
Focus on near-term community-based improvements (2 year, limited funding)
LONG-TERM
6 | SOUTH DOWNTOWN TRANSIT STATION ENHANCEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The Project Team synthesized the results from the station
assessments, the surveys, and intercept feedback to
devise five Guiding Principles to support MARTA’s overall
goal of increasing ridership. The specific elements used to
address the Guiding Principles at each station vary. The
majority of the methods focus on near-term, community-
based improvements, most of which can be completed
within two years and with limited funding.
Guiding Principles
• Improve real and perceived security issues
• Enhance signage and wayfinding inside, to, and from
the stations
• Improve the appearance and maintenance of the
stations
• Utilize the stations’ public plazas
• Increase station connectivity and access
Diagrams 1.1 and 1.2 demonstrate how the design
elements address the Guiding Principles at each station.
The gray line represents the lens through which the
design elements should be considered. The orange blocks
represent the three levels of design recommendations
and how they can be accomplished. Ideally, immediate-
term projects can address short- and long-term
recommendations. The Guiding Principles address the
desires of the community in a variety of ways specific
to the individual station’s environment, but many of the
design elements are similar for the stations. Many design
recommendations address multiple Principles and lend
themselves to immediate, temporary installations that
address the permanent recommendations in the interim
as pilot projects. Physical changes to the stations could
enhance the current riders’ MARTA experiences and
transform the stations into destinations.
Diagram 1.2: The Guiding Principles and how they will be addressed at
the Five Points Station to attain the overall MARTA goal of increasing
ridership.
Diagram 1.2 | FIVE POINTS GUIDING PRINCIPLES

7. IMMEDIATE (TACTICAL)
Improve real and
perceived security
issues at Garnett by:
• Highlighting entrances
• De-cluttering the public
spaces
• Providing clear views into
all public spaces
Utilize the Station’s
public plazas by:
• Reprogramming space
to be more flexible for
events
• Providing spaces
accessible by future
adjacent development
Enhance signage /
wayfinding inside,
to, and from by:
• Providing a complete
wayfinding / signage
solution for the station
• Making the entrances
visible
Improve the
appearance and
maintenance by:
• Providing a clean,
open, low-maintenance
landscape design with a
consistent palette
Increase station
connectivity and
access by:
• Integrating Greyhound into
the station
• Enhancing the side
stairways
• Opening view to entrances
SHORT-TERM
LONG-TERM
Community - Based
and Driven
Agency and MARTA
Driven
INCREASE RIDERSHIP Garnett
Focus on near-term community-based improvements (2 year, limited funding)
FIVE POINTS GARNETT STATIONS | 7
INTERNAL PROJECT TEAM
CHARRETTE
The Project Team held an internal charrette in November
2014 to create preliminary design concepts for the
stations. The initial concepts, Guiding Principles, and
Design Themes were shared with CAP / ADID and
MARTA and revised before the public workshops in
December 2014.
Design Themes
• Reconnect interrupted corridors
• Enhance the views to the stations
• Activate underutilized public spaces
Reconnecting key street corridors that intersect the
stations is accomplished by removing circulation
and security barriers, improving station access, and
beautification measures. Entrance views for the station
are enhanced by integrating the architecture and site
elements into the wayfinding approach, including art-
based advertising in highly visible areas to help fund
future station improvements. The underutilized public
spaces are activated through event programming, pop-up
retail, seating, and interactive public art.
Diagram 1.3: The Guiding Principles and how they will be addressed
at the Garnett Station to attain the overall MARTA goal of increasing
ridership.
Diagram 1.3 | GARNETT GUIDING PRINCIPLES

8. 8 | SOUTH DOWNTOWN TRANSIT STATION ENHANCEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
STATION SITE PLANS
The Five Points and Garnett Station site plans include
elements addressing the Guiding Principles to enhance
the station experience for current and future users.
Five Points Station Plan
The Five Points Site Plan (Plan 1.1) shows the projects for
the station with numbers and labels on important projects.
FIVE POINTS PLAN SUMMARY
Peachtree Plaza Entrance (Existing)
• Prominent corner with no station iconography
and home to the trash collection
• Clutter, bottlenecks, and barriers block effective
pedestrian circulation to the entrance
• Ineffective wayfinding signage to buses / trains
Peachtree Plaza Recommendations
• Enhance views of the station from Peachtree St.
• Relocate the trash collection area
• Wrap vents with LED light art and advertising
• Remove clutter from station plaza and curbside
• Use art and landscape to soften harsh surfaces
and highlight architecture
• Add a new 4-sided pylon sign in the right-of-way
• Provide real time data signs for buses and trains
Bike Storage Recommendations
• Add bike storage (racks or corral) to the western
portion of the Upper Plaza
• Locate shared bikes at Five Points as part of the
City-wide bikeshare starting in 2015
Figure 1.1: The “after” image of Peachtree Plaza at the Alabama and
Peachtree Streets intersection.
Figure 1.2: The “before” image of Peachtree Plaza, as it currently
appears, at the Alabama and Peachtree Streets intersection.
Figure 1.1
Figure 1.2

9. FIVE POINTS GARNETT STATIONS | 9PryorStreet
Plan 1.1 | FIVE POINTS STATION SITE PLAN
N
0’ 75’ 150’ 300’
D.11 Light Art
Alabama Street
ForsythStreet
Underground
Atlanta
Marietta Street
PeachtreeStreet
Wall Street
BroadStreet
Broad
Street
Plaza
The Gulch
A.5 Midblock
Crossing
D.8 Wayfinding Map
Police
Precinct
B.10 Kiosk
A.1 Move Pylon Sign
A.1 Move Pylon Sign
A.1 Move / Add Pylon Signs
C. 8 Trash
B.3
Pop-up
Retail
“Back of
House”
D.8 Wayfinding Map
D.9 LED Ad Wrap, Typ.
D.18 / D.17 Light Art
A.12 Shared Street
D.2 Landscape Improvements
A.8 Improve Access
A.9 Widen Ramp
A.10 Remove Bus Shelter
B.2 Add Seating /
Plaza for Bus
Passengers
D.3 Light Station Entrance
D. 10 Public Art
A.7 Remove Kiosks to
Open Plaza Views
D.7 Graphic
History Wall
A.14 Stair / Ramp
Combination
B.1 Café
Seating
A.1 Add Pylon Sign
PeachtreeStreet

10. 10 | SOUTH DOWNTOWN TRANSIT STATION ENHANCEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FIVE POINTS PLAN SUMMARY
Alabama & Forsyth Street (Existing)
• Dark corner with outdated wayfinding signage
• Cluttered with security / bus kiosk, planters, signs
causing bottlenecks and visual barriers
Alabama & Forsyth Recommendations
• Add LED light art and advertising on the vent
• Relocate the security kiosk inside the station,
accessible from the sidewalk
• Lower planter walls to improve views
• Ensure regular maintenance of trees
• Update and relocate static station signage with a
4-sided pylon sign in the right-of-way
• Mount real time data signs on the building
Broad Street Recommendations (Plan 1.1)
• Re-link the corridor between the two stations
• Add interactive light and art installations that
provide focal points, increase perception of
security, draw people to Broad Street
• Start improvements at Marietta Street, continue
through Broad Street Plaza and the Upper Plaza,
follow the street, and terminate at Garnett Station
Station Entrance Recommendations
(Plan 1.1)
• Light dark interior corridors to make interior
spaces visible from the street more inviting
• Re-imagine existing bollards as public art
• Remove the walkway bottleneck at Peachtree
Street by recapturing the unused staircase as part
of a larger ramp leading to the Upper Plaza
Figure 1.3: The “after” image of the bus waiting area at the corner of the
Alabama and Forsyth Streets intersection.
Figure 1.4: The “before” image of the bus waiting area at Alabama and
Forsyth (TSW, 2014).
Figure 1.3
Figure 1.4

11. FIVE POINTS GARNETT STATIONS | 11
Garnett Station Plan
The Garnett Site Plan (Plan 1.2) shows the projects for
the station with numbers and labels on important projects.
GARNETT PLAN SUMMARY
Main Plaza Ramp (Existing)
• Elevated ramp starts at terminus of Broad Street
at Trinity Avenue
• Ineffective identification signs
• Ramp is cluttered, inactive, open space that
causes security concerns
• No clear sight lines to building entrance
Main Plaza Ramp Recommendations
• Create a small, roadside plaza at Trinity Avenue
with colorful, vertical light elements
• Update and relocate static station signage with a
4-sided pylon sign in the right-of-way
• Add small plazas along the Ramp that can
be used for pop-up retail, markets, and future
access points from potential development that
should engage the plaza with active uses
• Update the landscaping and circulation system
with direct linear access to the entrance and
small flex plazas with overhead string lighting
Plazas & Stairways Recommendations
• Divide Main Plaza Ramp into smaller flex plazas
• Remove or trim landscaping to open sight lines
• Construct open, grand staircases on the Garnett
Street right-of-way to replace current staircases
• Add a small café plaza at the Brotherton Street
entrance
Figure 1.5: The “after” example that shows how the Garnett Station
entrance at Trinity Avenue and Broad Street could look with the addition
of pop-up retail, improved signage, colorful light pylons, and adjacent
future development.
Figure 1.6: The “before” image of how the Garnett Station entrance at
Trinity Avenue and Broad Street currently looks (TSW, 2014).
Figure 1.5
Figure 1.6

12. 12 | SOUTH DOWNTOWN TRANSIT STATION ENHANCEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
GarnettStreet
BrothertonStreet(BusOnly)
Peachtree Street
TrinityAvenue
PetersStreet
Forsyth Street
A.22 Potential Future
Development
A.22 Potential Future
Development
A.22 Potential Future
Development
A.22 Potential Future
Development
Future
Access
Future
Access
Future
Access
Future
Access
Future
Access
Future
Access
Future
Access
Future
Access
A.20 New Permanent
Greyhound Facility
Integrated w/ Development &
Garnett Station
A.1 Move
Pylon Sign
A.1 Add Pylon Sign
A.1 Add Pylon Sign
D.15 Flex Plaza
w/String Lighting
D.13
Pop-up
Retail
A.18 / A.19
Streetscape
Enhancements
Connecting to
Castleberry Hill
Future
Access
Future
Access
Future
Access
Future
Access
D.16
Light
Pylons
D.15 Flex Plaza
w/String Lighting
B.14 / B.15 Café
Seating / Plaza
B.16 Grand Staircase
Access
B.16 Grand Staircase
Access
Plan 1.2 | GARNETT STATION SITE PLAN
N
0’ 50’ 100’ 200’

13. FIVE POINTS GARNETT STATIONS | 13
Plan 1.3 | GARNETT STATION AREA TRANSPORTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Peachtree Bicycle Lanes
(from Cycle Atlanta Phase 1.0)
Forsyth Complete Street
Project (from City Infrastructure
Bond Program)
Key Locations for Wayfinding
Enhancement (including MARTA
Logo sidewalk stamps)
Key Locations for Wayfinding
Enhancement (including MARTA Logo
sidewalk stamps)
Brotherton Sidewalk Extension or
Curbless Street Reconstruction
GARNETT PLAN SUMMARY
Brotherton Entrance (Existing)
• Ambiguous entrance with ineffective signage
• Access to temporary Greyhound Station, but
minimal signage for passengers
• Many users access this station from the side
plazas
Brotherton Entrance Recommendations
• Integrate Greyhound with the Garnett Station
and future adjacent development to create a
regional bus hub
• Maintain Brotherton as bus-only but allow staging
and turn-arounds under the Garnett Station
• Add user amenities between the two stations
• Update landscaping and lighting
• Add real time data signs for buses and trains and
a new 4-sided pylon sign in the right-of-way
• Add a small urban plaza with seating and retail
Streetscape Enhancements
• Update sidewalks and ramps on surrounding
streets (continue the City’s current efforts)
• Add wayfinding to and from the station,
particularly to and from Castleberry Hill
• Implement Forsyth Street complete street
enhancements per the City’s capital projects
package and add station wayfinding
• Widen south sidewalk on Brotherton Street to
accommodate bus layovers on north side
• Implement the Cycle Atlanta Plan Phase 1 on
Peachtree for 3 vehicle lanes and bike lanes
• Add bicycle storage facilities at Garnett Station

14. 84 Potential Projects
28 Circulation & Connectivity
18 Public Space Enhancement
17 Operations
21 Visual Interest
32 Potential
Tactical Projects
PROJECT CATEGORIES
MATRIX WITH WEIGHTED
VALUES FOR IMPACT
SCATTERPLOTS OF
IMPACT VS. COST
PRIORITIZATION LIST
ACTION GROUPS
Chart 1.1 | Prioritization Process
A
B
C
D
14 | SOUTH DOWNTOWN TRANSIT STATION ENHANCEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PRIORITIZATION
The Project Team used the station site plans to identify
individual projects, and the prioritization occurred as
follows. Based on feedback from the Steering Committee,
design themes were renamed to Project Categories,
and an additional group, Operations, was added. The
Categories are:
CIRCULATION + CONNECTIVITY
Reconnect key corridors intersecting the stations (Garnett
Street and Broad Street) by removing barriers, improving
station access, and adding aesthetic enhancements.
PUBLIC PLAZA ENHANCEMENT
Activate unused or underutilized public spaces through
event programming, pop-up retail, or interactive public art.
OPERATIONS
Make the station feel clean, safe, and secure through
changes in maintenance, scheduling, bus configuration.
VISUAL INTEREST
Enhance views to the stations integrating the architecture
and site elements into the wayfinding. Add art-based
advertising in highly visible areas to fund future projects.
Each of the individual recommended projects (84 total)
were divided into the four categories and given a number
(for example, A.12). All of the projects were scored in a
matrix by how they addressed specific issues.The matrix
included all of the issues raised from the public feedback,
and if the project addressed the issue, it was given a
score of ‘1.’ Issues were weighted based on how many
respondents considered them concerns and specific
projects that received feedback were given weights.
Chart 1.2 | Potential Projects Breakdown
Chart 1.1: The prioritization process involved a series of steps to
evaluate each project by how well it addresses issues and to choose the
implementation priority and action groups for completion.
Chart 1.2: The breakdown of the recommended projects based on
Chart 1.3: Diagram showing the prioritization process by using the impact
vs. cost scatterplots for each Project Category. Project Category.

15. 12
3
4
5
The final combined score became the “impact” score. All
projects received “cost” scores between 1 and 5 (5 = most
expensive), for the cost to complete the project. These
scores were used to create impact vs. cost scatterplots for
each Project Category.
Priority Levels
Each project was given a “Priority Level” based on its
location in the project category scatterplots. Chart 1.3
shows how the Priority Level number was determined,
and some were adjusted because of current MARTA
efforts and the Project Team’s observations during station
assessments. The projects in the lower right quadrant
(high impact, low cost) became the first priority level, but
also included the “high impact, high cost” projects that fell
close to the axis because the cost level was still relatively
low. The priority levels do not represent the order in which
the projects should be completed; this number was used
as a guideline when making the implementation priority list
by station, which puts the projects in order for completion
and term (immediate-, short-, or long-term).
IMPLEMENTATION
Action Groups
After the Priority Levels were determined, the projects
were divided into “Action Groups” for implementation.
Each Action Group has a “Coordinator” for implementation
that collaborates with other potential project partners
to find funding, prioritize the projects, and determine
methods for implementation. CAP / ADID is a Coordinator
for all three Action Groups, and MARTA is a Coordinator
for the Capital Projects and Public-Private Partnerships.
Table 1.1 shows the relationship between the Action
Groups, Project Partners, and potential Funding Sources.
Implementation Prioritization
The Priority Level numbers for each project were used as
guidelines to determine the implementation priority after
the projects were placed in Action Groups. Generally,
projects with a higher priority level number were given a
higher implementation priority number. Some exceptions
exist, most likely due to the cost or ability to combine
the project with current MARTA efforts and operations.
For example, at Garnett Station, power washing the
entrances (C.2) and adding trash cans (C.3) received high
implementation priority numbers, despite a priority level
number of ‘4’ because they can be combined with current
MARTA efforts or can be completed quickly.
Tables 1.2 to 1.4 show the comprehensive project list
organized by station then by Action Group with the project
number, project name, implementation term (and icon),
priority level, and implementation priority. Some projects
have multiple implementation terms (immediate-, short-,
ACTION GROUPS SUMMARY
Grassroots / Community Groups
• Can be accomplished with community efforts and
limited funding within a short amount of time
• Could be implemented in 2015
Station Capital Projects
• Short-term projects that require more funding
and coordination with MARTA to complete
• Require physical changes to the stations
• Tactical solutions could test the permanent
solution for many in this Group
Public-Private Partnerships
• Large-scale projects or projects that could allow
a private sponsorship / funding in any capacity
• Revenue earned can be used to fund Capital
Projects and Grassroots / Community projects
• Funding mechanism needed within MARTA to
allocate a certain percentage of revenue for
projects at individual stations
FIVE POINTS GARNETT STATIONS | 15
Chart 1.3 | Scatterplot Prioritization Process

16. PROJECT PARTNERS ACTION GROUPS FUNDING SOURCES
COORDINATOR: CAP / ADID
Grassroots/ Community Efforts for
Tactical Projects
Public Art Grants / Funding Sources
ADID Private Advertising
City of Atlanta Private Entities
Atlanta Regional Commission Public-Private Partnership Revenue
MARTA
Community Groups / Organizations
COORDINATOR: MARTA & CAP / ADID
Capital Projects
Public Art Grants / Funding Sources
ADID Private Advertising
City of Atlanta Private Entities
Atlanta Regional Commission Project-Specific Grants
MARTA City of Atlanta
Community Groups / Organizations Public-Private Partnership Revenue
COORDINATOR: MARTA & CAP / ADID
Public-Private Partnerships
Private Advertising
ADID Large Corporations local to Atlanta
City of Atlanta Private Developers
Atlanta Regional Commission City of Atlanta
MARTA Project-Specific Grants
Community Groups / Organizations Public-Private Partnership Revenue
16 | SOUTH DOWNTOWN TRANSIT STATION ENHANCEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
year) time frame. Depending on the extent to which the
project is completed, the project could be an immediate-
term or short-term solution. For example, a mural on
the Peachtree Street side of Five Points (D.6) could be
completed with a vinyl wrap in the immediate-term, but
in the short-term, a paid local artist could paint a more
detailed mural on the building.
long-term) because immediate- or short-term strategies
can be installed in the interim, as a trial version or while
more funding is obtained to complete long-term solutions.
One example is the pylon re-design and mock-up (A.1).
In the immediate-term, a temporary sign can be designed
and placed in new locations to test the effectiveness. If
successful, MARTA can allocate more funding to re-
design and install permanent signs in the short-term (1-2
Table 1.1 | Action Group Project Partners and Funding Sources
Table 1.1: This chart shows the Action Groups with the corresponding
coordinators, potential project partners, and funding sources.
Tables 1.2 to 1.4: These tables show the comprehensive project list for
both stations and the surrounding neighborhood. The table includes the
project numbers, project names, completion term, priority level numbers,
and implementation priority numbers.

17. FIVE POINTS STATION
GRASSROOTS / COMMUNITY
CAPITAL PROJECTS
Table 1.2 | Five Points Projects by Action Group
A.# Project Number
Tactical Project
Possible
Short-Term
(1-3 years)
Long-Term (1-3
years)
Project Category
FIVE POINTS GARNETT STATIONS | 17
Many projects can be completed in tandem, which is noted
by projects that have an implementation priority number
like “1a.” For example, for the Grassroots category at Five
Points Station (Table 1.2), a 2015 installation could include
a mural on Peachtree Street side (D.6), café seating
on the Upper Plaza (B.1) and at the corner of Alabama
and Forsyth (B.2), and pop-up retail that supports both
seating locations (B.3). Measuring the success of those
changes could catalyze future events and potentially
permanent installations. An example at Garnett Station
is the ability to combine the projects of creating small
flex plazas on the Main Plaza Ramp (B.12) and creating
the central axis on the Main Plaza Ramp (B.10) because
they will require combined design and construction work.
These are prioritized in the middle of the capital projects
implementation because of the design work and cost
required to accomplish them.
MARTA and CAP / ADID should use the implementation
priority numbers as a guideline when funding is obtained
through grants or revenue from public-private partnerships
to determine which project to implement first at each
station.

18. CAPITAL PROJECTS
PUBLIC / PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD
CAPITAL PROJECTS
GRASSROOTS / COMMUNITY
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
Table 1.3 | Neighborhood Context Projects by Action Group
18 | SOUTH DOWNTOWN TRANSIT STATION ENHANCEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FIVE POINTS STATION

19. GARNETT STATION
GRASSROOTS / COMMUNITY
CAPITAL PROJECTS
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS
Table 1.4 | Garnett Projects by Action Group
CAPITAL PROJECTS
FIVE POINTS GARNETT STATIONS | 19

20. 20 | SOUTH DOWNTOWN TRANSIT STATION ENHANCEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Table 1.5 | Five Points Station Immediate Projects Implementation
Five Points Station Immediate Projects
Project (and #) Project Description
Responsible
Parties
Next Steps
Station Wayfinding
(A.3, D.14))
Add universal transit icon wayfinding signage
(exterior) to station structure
TSW, ADID,
MARTA
TSW to design sign and size
specifications for MARTA's internal
sign shop
Pylon Signs (A.1)
Add a 4-sided pylon MARTA sign at street
edges (Peachtree Street, Marietta Street,
Forsyth Street, Alabama Street)
TSW, ADID,
MARTA
TSW to design sign specifications for
MARTA's internal sign shop
Trash Relocation (C.8) Relocate trash facility MARTA Alternative location needed
Relocated Bus Layover
(C.9)
Add MARTA's plans for reconfiguring layovers MARTA MARTA to execute
Landscape
Enhancements (D.2,
D.12)
MARTA MARTA to execute
Peachtree Street Side
Mural (D.6)
Paint mural on Peachtree Street entrance side ADID, MARTA
ADID to create / issue RFP for artist
and install
Peachtree Street
Midblock Crossing
(A.6)
Install midblock crossing enhancements along
Peachtree Street station entrance
Nelson Nygaard,
ADID, City of
Atlanta
NN to provide policy and legal
precedent.
ADID and COA to execute
Special Events & Food
Truck Set-up (B.1, B.2,
B.3, B.5, B.6)
Add cafe seating for special events
TSW, ADID,
MARTA
ADID / MARTA to coordinate for
events
Real time Display (A.2)
Add real time arrival display (public or private
property)
ADID, MARTA
ADID to advance scope, feasibility,
and fee for installation
Community Garden
(added project)
Add community garden (raised beds) in Upper
Plaza space
TSW, ADID,
MARTA
TSW to develop planting logistics;
ADID to build community support;
MARTA to offer general coordination
IMMEDIATE PROJECTS
PLANNING AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Following the last round of input, multiple projects were
selected to be implemented immediately and throughout
2015 based on project timelines and readiness. Some
projects will be implemented with the LCI grant money
and will advance immediately. Tables 1.5 and 1.6 show
the list of projects and implementation schedule by
station, and Figures 1.8 and 1.9 show the vision for the
immediate implementation of these projects. Following
the implementation of immediate projects, CAP / ADID
will host an event to unveil the implementation progress
to the public. This event could include food trucks and
temporary café seating in the plazas. In addition, CAP /
ADID will host a "Development Day" event to showcase
the implementation progress at the two stations and the
potential for future development, particularly adjacent to
the Garnett Station.
Five Points Station 2015
Implementation Projects
Figure 1.8 shows the vision for the area around Peachtree
Plaza for the immediate implementation of the selected
projects at Five Points Station.

21. Table 1.6 | Garnett Station Immediate Projects Implementation
FIVE POINTS GARNETT STATIONS | 21
Garnett Station Immediate Projects
Project (and #) Project Description
Responsible
Parties
Next Steps
Pylon Signs (A.1)
Add universal transit icon wayfinding
signage (exterior) to station structure
TSW, ADID,
MARTA
TSW to design sign and size
specifications for MARTA's internal
sign shop
Landscape
Enhancements (D.1,
B.9, B.11, B.10, B.12)
Paint tree trunks or add tree socks for color.
Remove sculpture obstructing views from
Trinity Avenue approach. Trim / remove
trees blocking entrance views. Create a
basic landscape plan.
ADID, MARTA
TSW and ADID to organize tree
enhancement. ADID and MARTA
to coordinate sculpture removal.
MARTA to coordinate tree
maintenance.
Development Activity
(added event)
Host South Downtown 'Development Day'
event with land owners and investors
ADID
ADID to organize development
community for event
Mid-Block Crossing
The Project Team reviewed the signal data and conducted
basic studies for a scramble signalization for the Alabama
/ Peachtree Street and Wall Street / Peachtree Street
intersections to determine the feasibility of adding a mid-
block crossing on Peachtree Street that is aligned with the
station entrance. The Project Team also studied precedent
projects throughout the country to support the efficiency
and feasibility of mid-block crossings, shared streets,
and scramble light phasing. The idea is to hire an artist to
design a mid-block crossing that responds to the potential
mural painted on the station entrance facade (Project D.6).
Mural on Peachtree Plaza Side
CAP / ADID is currently soliciting artists to paint a mural on
the Peachtree Street entrance side of Five Points Station,
and this mural could respond to or flow into the mid-block
crossing on Peachtree Street (Project A.6).
Improved Station Signage
The Project Team created new designs for the four-
sided pylon signs (Figure 1.7) and a large international
train symbol sign for the side of the Five Points Station
building. The designs were submitted to MARTA for
review, revision, and scheduling for implementation. The
pylon signs at both Five Points and Garnett Stations would
include improved iconography for transportation modes
offered at the stations and larger font for the station
names. These pylon signs will serve as a pilot project for
the entire MARTA train system.
Figure 1.7

22. 22 | SOUTH DOWNTOWN TRANSIT STATION ENHANCEMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Community Garden in the Upper Plaza
The Project Team created a layout plan for the installation
of a community garden at the Five Points MARTA Station
in the Upper Plaza. The plan involves the specifications
for planters and rain barrels, with four-foot (4’) walkways
between them. The plan shows the ability for full capacity,
if the smaller pilot area proves to be successful. CAP /
ADID will coordinate a list of people who would like to
participate in the pilot program with their own garden plots.
MARTA will be responsible for determining appropriate
access times and methods for the garden users to ensure
security for the users and to prevent the destruction of
property. MARTA and CAP / ADID will also coordinate
the installation of the garden. Community events, such
as markets or outdoor seating, could occur in the Upper
Plaza adjacent to and using the garden.
The Project Team sent the plans, cost estimate,
specifications, and scope of work to MARTA for review
and implementation. MARTA is currently studying the
feasibility of the project regarding the required security
measures, weight limits on the Upper Plaza, and access
to a water line if needed.
Garnett Station 2015 Implementation
Projects
Figure 1.9 shows the overall vision for the Main Plaza
Ramp at Trinity Avenue for the immediate implementation
of the selected projects.
String lighting
String lighting can be added to the existing smaller plazas
along the Main Plaza Ramp to create smaller, usable
spaces and serve as a temporary wayfinding tactic along
the plaza to the building entrance.
Improved Station Signage
The Project Team created new designs for the four-sided
pylon signs (Figure 1.7) to be installed at Garnett Station.
The designs were submitted to MARTA for review,
Figure 1.8

23. FIVE POINTS GARNETT STATIONS | 23
revision, and scheduling for implementation. The pylon
signs at both Five Points and Garnett Stations would
include improved iconography for transportation modes
offered at the stations and larger font for the station
names. These pylon signs will serve as a pilot project for
the entire MARTA train system.
Landscape Improvements on Main Plaza
Ramp
The Project Team created basic demolition and landscape
improvement plans for the Main Plaza Ramp at Garnett
Station. The enhancements include the removal of some
existing planter areas, concrete removal and replacement,
defunct light fixture removal, the removal of the sculpture,
the addition of a pylon sign at Trinity Avenue, and the
addition of groundcover and canopy trees. The MARTA
Facilities Maintenance Department will complete the
landscape demolition, concrete replacement, and
groundcover replacement. A collaborative effort between
MARTA and Trees Atlanta could provide the new canopy
trees recommended for the plaza. The MARTA Electrical
and Power Department will complete the removal of the
defunct pedestrian light fixtures. The string lighting posts
and lights are shown on the plans in the small flex plazas
to demonstrate potential future use. For example, CAP
/ ADID may choose to install these as a demonstration
project during the forthcoming Development Day, which
will aim to attract investors and developers to the Garnett
Station and South Downtown area. The Project Team sent
the demolition and landscape plans, specifications, and
scope of work to MARTA for review and implementation.
Figure 1.8: This image highlights the immediate projects and describes
the means to accomplish them for the Peachtree Street entrance side at
Five Points Station.
Figure 1.9: This image highlights the immediate projects and describes
the means to accomplish them for the Main Plaza Ramp at Trinity
Avenue at Garnett Station.
Figure 1.9