Perimeter Connects is a local transportation management association (TMA) on a mission to improve mobility and access in Perimeter through programs for and with employers, properties and their workforce. The TMA is funded by the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, a self-taxing district using a small additional property tax on commercial space for transportation and infrastructure projects in the area.
A Leading Edge
The Perimeter area is unique to the metro Atlanta region. As an “edge” city, it lies just outside the urban core at the nexus of Interstate 285 and State Route 400. Surrounded by the affluent communities of Dunwoody, Brookhaven and Sandy Springs, Perimeter is vibrant with a concentration of jobs, shopping, dining, entertainment and dense transit-oriented development that make it a destination spot for work, life and play.
Perimeter by the Numbers
- 500,000+ visitors
- 100,000+ employees
- 10,000+ residents
- 8,900+ multifamily residential units
- 2,000+ companies in service area
- $11.5B+ earnings
- 138 retailers
- 80 eateries
- 27 hotels
- 11 miles of bike lanes
The TMA’s Challenge
While a large volume of cars moves through the area regularly, Perimeter doesn’t suffer from gridlock, unlike other (older) business districts. With dense mixed-use development and large office parks, anchored by MARTA heavy rail access, the challenge is getting people out and about to explore and experience all the community has to offer, Perimeter Connects Program Manager Johann Weber told attendees at a recent SEACT TMA/TMO live webinar.
Connecting Work and Play
Weber said the TMA and its partners have been focusing on “placemaking,” building more infrastructure to get people to restaurants, retail and hangout spaces from their offices or homes, especially after work and on weekends.
In addition to installing public art and creating open spaces for concerts and farmers markets, the TMA has contributed to pedestrian-friendly landscaping (planting over 900 trees to line the streets) and expanding a network of multipurpose trails connecting PATH 400 to key areas such as the Perimeter Mall and Sandy Springs MARTA station.
To encourage people to get out and about and engage with their community, the TMA promoted three campaigns:
- Perimeter Pursuit – a roughly month-long district-wide walking campaign and scavenger hunt held March-April 2024. Participants earned points to complete a variety of missions focused on discovering features of the neighborhood. Points could be cashed in for prizes, including hotel stays and gift cards to local spas and restaurants. The campaign drew over 328 participants who completed 2,351 missions.
- Biketober – part of a larger regional program, the annual competition takes place during the month of October and encourages metro Atlanta residents to get out on bikes to experience the joy of cycling. This year, REI Perimeter team placed No. 4 on the leaderboards in the 50-199 staff category, and Cox Automotive came in at No. 10 in the 2,000+ staff category. The TMA visited 13 office centers in the area and got 221 workers to test ride e-bikes for a chance to win an Edison e-bike valued at $2,400!
- Transit Month – to reduce traffic and encourage transit ridership, Perimeter Connects celebrated Transit Month (September) by giving away free 10-trip passes for MARTA. Participants were encouraged to log their rides in the MyGCO app for the chance to win prizes. The campaign was a huge success:
- 4,700 unique page views
- 1,482 pass requests
- 563 new riders
- 1,531 transit trips logged in September
- 40% growth in trip-logging users
Programs That Drive Change
GCO partners with transportation management associations and other local transportation entities to provide ridematching services, worksite assistance, incentive programs and more. Get connected today!