BCID Executive Director Elected Chair of MARTA Board of Directors

Durrett to guide the future of Metro Atlanta’s public transit system

ATLANTA – December 28, 2010 – The Buckhead Community Improvement District’s (BCID) executive director, Jim Durrett, was elected as chair of the MARTA board of directors on Tuesday, having served on the board since November 2009.  In his new leadership role, Jim will use his expertise as an urban planner and environmental affairs specialist to help guide the future of Metro Atlanta’s public transportation system. 

Durrett’s one-year term will begin on January 1, 2011, at which time he will preside over the recently downsized 12-member board.    As chair of the MARTA board of directors, he will also represent the authority on the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Transit Committee being headed by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.  The committee is currently working on a proposed expanded regional transit governance framework. 

“I am honored by the position and look forward to using my many relationships with the business community, the transportation community and state and local government officials to the benefit of MARTA, the next generation of regional transit and the region,” Durrett said.

“Jim’s new position will greatly benefit the Buckhead community and all of Atlanta, promoting transportation options and the smart growth of metro Atlanta,” said BCID board chairman David Allman.  “MARTA will be well-served by Jim’s leadership skills and expertise, and BCID is proud of his continued commitment to strengthening our community through civic involvement.”

About BCID
The objective of the Buckhead Community Improvement District (BCID), working with the City of Atlanta and its community partners, is to meet the challenges resulting from Buckhead's rapid, primarily automobile-based growth, including improving traffic mobility, enhancing the pedestrian environment, creating better access to public transit, initiating intra-district transportation alternatives, encouraging better integration of land uses and improving linkages to the region's automobile, transit and bicycle networks.

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For more information, contact: Renee Spurlin, communications 21, 404.814.1330, rspurlin@c21pr.com.