The AJC reported this morning that the Georgia Department of Transportation is finally seeking a developer to create the long-discussed downtown passenger terminal in downtown Atlanta.

How do we plan to pay for this massive Gulch Development Project (GDP!)?

It is hoped income from real estate developments built above or around the ambitious project would help pay the terminal’s costs. The developer, working with transportation agencies, would determine how much public money is required, recommend the type of development and decide in what phases to complete it, said Crystal Paulk-Buchanan, DOT spokeswoman. The state is hoping that federal grants will supplement the project.

The central hub would operate as the meeting point of all public transportation modes: from rail to buses to taxis to horse-drive trolleys.  (OK, not the last one.)

Oh and I can guarantee you, this station won’t look anything like Atlanta’s old Terminal Station pictured in the upper right hand corner of this post.

West Courthouse Square, Decatur, GA  (photo submitted by Cheryl)

UPDATE: The AJC has a new, more detailed story on the case this morning, with more neighbor accounts and mention of DeToma’s Sr.’s court appearance yesterday afternoon.  Articles about the murder of Gary DeToma Jr. have been hovering among the most popular posts all week on the Atlanta paper’s website, so expect them to stay on top of this story for a while.

A few commenters reported yesterday that a fund had been set up at Decatur First Bank for Gary DeToma Jr.  Here are the details…

A fund has been set up to help the family with expenses. Here is the information:

Decatur First Bank

Gary DeToma Jr Fund

The bank is accepting cash and/or checks-checks should be made out to the Gary DeToma Jr. Fund.

Donations can be made at the bank or mailed–The mailing address is 1120 Commerce Dr. Decatur, Ga. 30030 or 720 Commerce Dr. Decatur, Ga. 30030

In related news, the principal of College Heights ECLC sent out an letter to parents yesterday, which mentions the fund and provides a couple new details of the timeline for Gary Jr.’s funeral and the condition of his brother.

I have gotten a couple reports in the last 24 hours wondering about the large production crew that’s set up shop at Decatur High School parking lot.

Last week, the city’s Cheryl Burnette reported that Mean Girls 2 would be filming in the city all this week, so I have to assume that’s what is current in production at the high school.  If so, that should mean that DHS will have a starring role in the film.

But hopefully Cheryl can confirm/deny!