The Georgia Department of Transportation announced Monday that it selected a development team that includes Atlanta-based Cousins Properties Inc. and Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises Inc. to negotiate a contract to become the master developer of a multi-modal passenger terminal in downtown Atlanta.
Cousins and Forest City are publicly traded real estate companies that have partnered with other firms to form a consortium for the public-private partnership concession. GDOT’s selection must still be approved by the state Transportation Board.
Two other consortiums vying for the contract are Terminus Development Partners LLC with master developers Jacoby Development Inc. and the John Buck Co., and a team consisting of H.J. Russell, Hines LP, and the Dawson Co. as master developers.
If negotiations with the Cousins-led team fall through then GDOT would begin negotiations with the other firms.
The multimodal terminal will be a hub for existing and proposed transportation networks serving metro Atlanta and the region, including rail and bus systems and the Georgia railroad network. It is being designed to accommodate future modes of transportation, which may include high-speed rawil, light rail, and streetcars.
