"It has been my goal throughout the department's relocationprocess to provide our general office employees a more functional,easily accessible and modern workplace," says GeorgiaTransportation commissioner Harold Linnenkohl. "One Georgia Centeris such a location." The department was represented by the GeorgiaBuilding Authority.

With the lease, Cousins Properties' One Georgia Center will be100% occupied. At the end of the second quarter, the building was43% occupied. Most of the space the department will occupy isvacant, but some of the space is filled with existing tenants thatplan to relocate, a Cousins Properties Inc. spokesman tellsGlobeSt.com. "This was one of the largest vacancies in ourportfolio, so securing this lease was important," he says. "It'simportant for the building, but it's also gratifying to be able tomeet the department's space needs."

The department will begin moving into the space by the end ofthe year. The move will be accomplished in phases. "This was acompetitive and challenging deal," says Cousins' office/multifamilydivision president Larry Gellerstedt, in a prepared statement. "TheGDOT lease will give the agency the modern efficient office spaceand also fill a significant vacancy in our Atlanta officeportfolio."