A rush of development along MARTA’s Gold Line

From underused parking lots to the former General Motors plant in Doraville, land along MARTA’s Gold Line is set for redevelopment into new shopping complexes and mixed-use enclaves.

The developer interest is so pronounced, the northeast leg of MARTA’s rail line is on the verge of massive transformation that would remake an overlooked swath of car-centric suburbs into a string of urban villages with town centers and transit. It’s not unlike the surge of development seen in Midtown or along the Beltline, or the rejuvenation of Decatur.

A defining feature this time is MARTA, which has moved from being a political punching bag to a lure for private investment and economic development. That development has happened in part because of demographic shifts and changes in consumer tastes, as well as the prolonged recovery, experts said. Both millennials and boomers want more walkable settings with transit access.