Edgewood MARTA’s transit development lands performing arts center

Where six acres of surface parking once collected tumbleweeds in Edgewood, hundreds of MARTA-connected apartments were unveiled this year as the initial phase of Spoke, the agency’s first transit-oriented development to finish as part of a citywide push.

Now, it appears those renters will be getting some artistic new neighbors.

Moving in the Spirit, an Atlanta-based creative youth development program, has announced a groundbreaking Thursday for their new home: a performing arts center designed by Perkins+Will in the shadow of Edgewood/Candler Park MARTA Station.

Construction of the facility, called “A Space to Soar,” is being funded by a successful $8.4 million capital campaign, officials announced today.

Curbed Atlanta

The new building will include AV-equipped classrooms, which can double as performance spaces, lecture halls, or meeting rooms. And it’ll more than triple the size of Moving in the Spirit’s 7,000-square-foot current space in Old Fourth Ward.

With programs that infuse “high-quality dance instruction with performance, leadership, and mentor opportunities,” Moving in the Spirit utilizes dance “to teach young people the social, emotional, and cognitive skills they need to thrive,” per the group’s website.

Being connected to MARTA’s Blue and Green Lines will open those services to kids across the city, and the number of students served annually is expected to double to 500.

MARTA CEO Jeffrey Parker, Atlanta City Councilmember Natalyn Archibong, and other partners are expected to attend the 3:30 p.m. groundbreaking ceremony Thursday.

Columbia Ventures