Construction that will transform the Edgewood/Candler Park MARTA station into a transit oriented development is officially under way.

MARTA and city of Atlanta officials held a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 22. When Phase 1 is finished, it will have 224 apartment units and 10,000 square feet of retail space, as well as a half acre park.

According to the project description, “About a third of the existing south parking lot on La France Street will undergo redevelopment in the first phase, delivering 224 apartment homes in early 2018. Construction will also begin early next year on a neighborhood park with a local restaurant and a performing arts center for Moving in the Spirit, a local youth development organization. The last phase of the project, on the easternmost portion of the lot, will include additional housing and commercial users as well as MARTA patron replacement parking. ”

The developer is Columbia Ventures and the project’s name is Spoke.

“The live, work, play experience will reshape the experience of our city for thousands if not tens of thousands,” MARTA Board Chair Robert Ashe said.

Atlanta City Council Presiden Ceasar Mitchell said in order for Atlanta to become a “global city” it must embrace transit.

“There’s many miles to travel,” Mitchell said. “Let’s make sure those miles are transit miles.”