Blue Line Extension in Suburban Atlanta: Good Transit Planning or Amazon-Seeking Ploy?

"MARTA is turning to the federal government for big bucks on rail expansion and it involves expanding lines in DeKalb County," reports Natalie Rubino.

According to Rubino, MARTA would like to extend the Blue Line by 12 miles, from the current Indian Creek terminus to Stonecrest in DeKalb County. Rubino also speaks to Joseph Hacker, professor of planning and economic development at Georgia State University, who goes on the record saying the proposed extension is a poor choice. Hacker recommends an extension near Emory Point instead.

Hacked also suggests that MARTA's desire to extend the Blue Line has more to do with a potential bid to bring Amazon's second headquarters to the region. That idea is also picked up by an article by Sandy Smith, who also notes that Stonecrest said it would rename itself if Amazon located its second quarters there.