MARTA an Amenity for Office Developers in Atlanta—But Not by Choice

Ethan Rothstein reports from the infamously car-centric city of Atlanta, where Colliers International Senior Vice President Jodi Selvey explains why MARTA has become such a highly sought after amenity—and there is a catch. "The MARTA priority is not because employees are demanding it. Rather, the number of employees companies are now packing into their offices has thrown parking ratios out of whack, and those companies have to present a driving alternative if they want to attract talent to their fancy new offices," writes Rothstein.

According to Selvey's take, there isn't enough parking in Downtown Atlanta, and parking requirements for new buildings aren't creating enough parking for the number of employees now occupying office spaces.

Cousins Properties Managing Director Thad Ellis is also quoted in the article saying parking demand is still there, but companies are being forced to find other ways to get employees to work. Selvey thinks Millennials will lead an adoption of public transit, but only because they will draw the short end of the parking stick.