Construction on Decatur MARTA Development to begin next year

Initial construction of the mixed-use development on Decatur’s East College Avenue, currently a parking lot for Avondale Estates’ MARTA station, should begin the first quarter of next year according to Dillon Baynes. A managing partner with Columbia Ventures, Baynes gave the first community update Thursday night regarding the joint project between Columbia, MARTA and Decatur.

Phase one construction will take 16 to 18 months, he said, and will include 266 apartments and 92 more units specifically for seniors of diverse income levels. There’s also 24,000 square feet for two small coffee/breakfast/lunch-type places and one main restaurant. Work includes renovating the pedestrian bridge spanning College Avenue which will connect to a one-mile bicycle/pedestrian path emanating from the old gas station site (next to the Friends School) on Columbia Drive.

Eventually, if the entire project is completed, it could include 500 apartments.