Emory may contribute nearly $60 million in “land and operational investment” to develop the Clifton Corridor Transit Initiative, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.Emory is proposing to donate 10 acres of land along Clifton Road worth $25.5 million and another $33.9 million to fund new infrastructure, such as a new station or bike and pedestrian path, according to the outlet.The Atlanta Business Chronicle obtained the information through an open records request, who forwarded the document to the Wheel.According to the document, Emory told MARTA that it was willing to contribute right-of-way land that would create transportation stations at Clifton Road and Haygood Drive and at the Haygood Triangle.MARTA is looking for $100 million in private funding for the Clifton Corridor project after the MARTA Board of Directors approved partial funding of the plan on Oct. 4. The project will receive $250 million in Atlanta sales tax revenue. Senior Associate Vice President of Government and Community Affairs Betty Willis declined an interview, directing the Wheel to Associate Vice President for University Communications Nancy Seideman.“Emory University and Emory Healthcare look forward to joining with businesses, government entities and others who recognize the importance of this public transit opportunity,” Seideman wrote in a Nov. 5 email to the Wheel. “We are exploring a number of potential funding considerations, including in-kind contributions, and will work in concert with a broad group of stakeholders to serve the best interests of the entire region.”MARTA’s plans call for a new light rail from the Lindbergh Center station in Buckhead, that connects train service on the red and gold lines, to Avondale Transit station through Emory’s campus. The purpose of the Clifton Corridor project is to provide “better access for a growing job center, improved access to the MARTA rail system, improved area connectivity and increased options for emergency evacuation and transport,” according to the MARTA website. Emory currently does not have direct access to a MARTA station or interstate. The Clifton Corridor light rail is projected to have a daily ridership of 23,000.
Emory Contributions to Marta Summary by The Emory Wheel on Scribd
