Images: MARTA rolls out artful, functional downtown welcome matJosh GreenTue, 06/16/2026 - 11:03Not all permanent, pre-World Cup changes around downtown Atlanta have made the biggest splash. But in some cases, they could go a long way in making a positive impression. Case in point is the plaza redesign MARTA recently unveiled like a de facto welcome mat into downtown at its Garnett station, one stop south of the centralized Five Points transit hub. MARTA partnered with Atlanta Downtown Improvement District and the Project for Public Spaces to remake a large, elevated concrete plaza that links Garnett station directly into Broad Street, which has undergone its own overhaul as a landscaped Complete Street into the reviving blocks of South Downtown. The three-block Broad Street overhaul extends between MLK Jr. Drive and Trinity Avenue, where former street right-of-way now forms the plaza entrance. Former state of MARTA’s Garnett station exit into downtown, as seen in 2023. Google MapsNew plantings, seating, and tiled artwork around the MARTA Garnett station plaza today. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaThe private developers behind South Downtown funded the project’s design work, as led by Kimley-Horn & Associates, according to ADID. Primary funding sources for construction included Invest Atlanta Eastside Tax Allocation District bond funds, MARTA Station Rehabilitation Program funds, and City of Atlanta AURA Bond funds, while Trees Atlanta pitched in with new plantings.  Last summer, MARTA temporarily closed the Garnett station for platform and lighting upgrades, along with staircase repair, pressure-washing and heavy cleaning, and to apply graffiti-resistant coating to concrete surfaces. The project came as part of MARTA’s roughly $1 billion Station Rehabilitation Program that’s aiming to improve safety and aesthetics across all 38 stations over the course of multiple years. In the gallery above, have a closer look at how MARTA’s welcome plaza into downtown came together in time for FIFA festivities.**…**Follow us on social media:Twitter / Facebook/and now: Instagram  • Downtown news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)TagsMARTADowntown NewsMARTA StationsAtlanta MARTA stationsCollie GreenwoodMARTA ShuttleJonathan HuntKeith ParkerAnna RoachKatie KirkpatrickPeter AmanMARTA ConstructionRail Station Rehabilitation ProgramSouth DowntownBroad StreetInvest Atlanta Eastside Tax AllocationTrees AtlantaSoDo Atlanta LLCAtlanta Downtown Improvement DistrictKimley HornKimley-HornKimley-HornImagesFormer state of MARTA’s Garnett station exit into downtown, as seen in 2023. Google MapsThe elevated, refreshed exit at MARTA’s Garnett station facing Trinity Avenue, Broad Street, and downtown. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaArtful new planters at the station with “No Loitering” messaging. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaTiled artwork and new shaded seating installed at the station’s south entrance. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaNew plantings, seating, and tiled artwork around the MARTA Garnett station plaza today. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta2026 FIFA World Cup branding and fresh plantings. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaStation signage at Trinity Avenue downtown. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaWhere the MARTA station’s exit ramp links with an overhauled Broad Street, a direct route into South Downtown. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaSubtitleUpgrades at Garnett Station link to remade Broad Street, reviving South DowntownNeighborhoodDowntownBackground ImageImageBefore/After ImagesSponsored PostOff

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