DOT shortlists three developers for transit hub

By Rachel Tobin

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

All groups vying to build a mega-transit hub for the Georgia Department of Transportation will remain in the running, the agency said Friday.

DOT received three proposals last week and could have whittled them down, but decided they all qualify for the public-private project.

Some of Atlanta's biggest developers are competing to build a transit station and manage surrounding development on a downtown site known as "the gulch," near CNN Center. The station would be one of the largest transit-oriented developments in the nation.

DOT hopes the transit station can be funded, in part, through income generated by offices, residences and shops, which also will be built on-site. The master developer will set the construction timeline, station design and financing.

The lead developers and advisers are:

• Atlanta-based Jacoby Development, with the John Buck Co. Technical advisers: Norcross-based Moreland Altobelli Associates, Perkins + Will, and SYSTRA Consulting.

• Atlanta-based Cousins Properties and the Integral Group, with FC Asset Services. Technical advisers: Atlanta-based Cooper Carry and Urban Collage, plus FXFOWLE, Kimley-Horn & Associates and Parsons Brinckerhoff.

• Atlanta-based H.J. Russell and The Dawson Co., with Hines. Technical advisers: HOK and URS Corp.

The agency will chose a master developer by mid-summer. First, the groups will submit more detailed proposals by Feb. 28.