Beltline: The Beltline's $23B Impact and the BrewDog Void Filled

PSA: we’ll be publishing on Tuesday next week, because Memorial Day.

Hey, Beltline neighbors! Plenty to talk about this week. A new report puts a $23 billion economic output number on the trail you walk every weekend, and a new pop-up sports bar will temporarily fill the BrewDog space. We've also got the Lantern Parade return and a full slate of government action worth knowing about; keep reading.

- News — The Beltline's $23B economic impact is official, the Lantern Parade is confirmed for fall, Amsterdam Walk is moving again, and the ramp from the beltline to Ponce City Market is back open.
- Business — A 14,700-square-foot pop-up sports bar is taking over BrewDog's old space at Krog District this summer, a new southern tapas spot has landed in Poncey-Highland, and the O4W's North Avenue Dairy Queen has closed for good after nearly 60 years.
- Events — The Atlanta Jazz Festival hits Piedmont Park Saturday, Chet Faker and The Pharcyde both play the Masquerade this week, and there's a full slate of live music, food events, and comedy running through the weekend.
- Government — The City Council's Zoning Committee rezoned 13 Beltline-adjacent acres from industrial to housing, a Beltline bike lane proposal is headed back for more debate, and the full council meets Monday on a $1.05M Beltline park maintenance renewal and major rezonings.
- Construction — Krog Street Market has a permit hinting at a new tenant, Ponce City Market is getting a Lululemon pop-up, GDOT is upgrading tunnel lighting on I-75, and the downtown connector is getting its first resurfacing since 2016.

Let's dive in.

NEWS

Atlanta's Beltline delivers $23 billion in economic output
A new report puts a staggering number on what East Side residents already feel every time a new restaurant opens or a vacant lot becomes a condo tower: the city's roughly $1 billion investment in the Beltline has generated $23 billion in economic output. For neighborhoods like Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward, that's not just a statistic — it's the story of the last decade written in property values and filled storefronts.

The magical Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade will return to the city this fall
After a jarring cancellation in 2025 left thousands of would-be paraders at home with unlit lanterns, organizers have confirmed the beloved tradition is coming back to the trail this autumn. The Lantern Parade is one of those genuinely rare events that feels like it belongs to the neighborhood — giant puppets, glowing crowds, and the kind of collective joy that no development report can manufacture.

Controversial Amsterdam Walk redevelopment shows signs of life
Portman Holdings is pushing forward with updated plans for the Amsterdam Walk site, the long-debated parcel sitting squarely in Poncey-Highland's backyard near the Eastside Trail. At the scale Portman is proposing, how this project handles trail connectivity and neighborhood character will matter far beyond its property lines — so residents would do well to stay close to this one.

Ramp from the Beltline to Ponce City Market is back open!
For those of you frustrated trying to get from the beltline to PCM lately, this is welcome news I’m sure. It’s certainly been a long time coming! Let’s hope this isn’t temporary and it stays open.

BUSINESS

LikeMinds - opening - A 14,700-square-foot pop-up sports bar and music venue is taking over the former BrewDog space in The Krog District for a 120-day summer run starting in early June — which is either a brilliant way to keep that cavernous room alive, or the most ambitious summer side project anyone's attempted in Inman Park.

Here Today - opening - This southern tapas restaurant and lounge moved into the former Bookhouse Pub space in Poncey-Highland last Friday, bringing small plates and craft cocktails to a corner that's been quietly waiting for its next chapter.

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EVENTS

The Atlanta Jazz Festival returns to Piedmont Park this Saturday, and if you've never experienced it, this is the year to go. One of the longest-running free jazz festivals in the country, it draws tens of thousands to the park, so plan your route accordingly and give yourself extra time getting in and out of the neighborhood.

Monday, May 18
- Andrés Cepeda: Bogota La Gira | Variety Playhouse
- Chet Faker | The Masquerade
- Atlanta Run Club: Monday Night Runs | Ponce City Market
- Eric Bellinger | City Winery Atlanta
- GRAD SHOW! - Feat. Stand-up Students (Ron's Class) | Dad's Garage
- Yot Club @ Terminal West | The Masquerade

Tuesday, May 19
- The New Pornographers - The Former Site Of Tour | Variety Playhouse
- Jack Cheevers, Kennedy's Coup Author Talk | Jimmy Carter Presidential Library
- The Pharcyde | The Masquerade
- The Little Mercies: Trolley Barn Contra Dance | Trolley Barn
- Isaiah T | City Winery Atlanta
- Arankai: The Portrait Tour | The Masquerade
- Will Sheff | Variety Playhouse

Wednesday, May 20
- Sweet Auburn Barbecue Brings Back Good Luck Smoke Show | Sweet Auburn BBQ
- Tio Lucho's Ceviche Sessions Returns May 20th | Tio Lucho's
- Maestro | Dad's Garage

Thursday, May 21
- Whine Down with Jana Kramer | City Winery Atlanta
- Soul of Sound screens: Dave Chappelle's Block Party | Plaza Atlanta
- Salsa Dancing Class & Tapas Dinner | Buena Vida Tapas Bar
- Dad's Garage Vault | Dad's Garage
- CLOSE ENCOUNTERS: An Extraterrestrial Comedy Show | The Supermarket

Friday, May 22
- Larry Griffith Band: Blues and beyond with Larry Griffith Trio,@Two Urban Licks-6-10! | TWO urban licks
- Rayna Greenberg | City Winery Atlanta
- Improvised Action Movie | Dad's Garage
- hallpass: ATLANTA, GA (Spillway Release) | Aisle 5
- Liquid Mike / PONY | The Masquerade
- Clejan | The Masquerade

Saturday, May 23
- Strawberry Festival | New Realm Brewing
- Food & Street Art Tour on the Atlanta Beltline | 99 Krog St NE
- Keith Washington | City Winery Atlanta
- TheatreSports | Dad's Garage
- The Dynamic! – Funny scenes, songs and games! | Dynamic El Dorado
- Atlanta Jazz Festival | Piedmont Park

Sunday, May 24
- Cold | The Masquerade
- Snuffed on Sight | The Masquerade

GOVERNMENT

Note: our information comes from posted meetings documents (agendas and minutes when available) — latest source document hyperlinked to each meeting.

Past Week Roundup

Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education

The APS Policy Review Committee granted final approval to two updated policies at its May 14 meeting: one formalizing how the district manages student counseling and career planning, and another tightening oversight of how employees use district credit cards and make purchases — a fiscal accountability move aimed at ensuring tax dollars are handled transparently. The board also held substantive discussions on two items that didn't go to a vote: proposed limits on student screen time during the school day, and a review of how the district handles electronic funds transfers. Neither screen time limits nor the digital funds policy are finalized yet — both will return at a future meeting as the district works through the details. Separately, the committee received a status report on surplus district properties, a routine update that often precedes decisions about selling or redeveloping unused school-owned land — residents interested in what happens to vacant school buildings in their area should watch upcoming meetings for those specifics.

Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee

The Zoning Committee's May 11 meeting brought a wave of consequential land-use decisions across the city. On the approval side, the committee cleared a 24.7-acre planned residential development, rezoned roughly 13 acres from industrial to multi-family housing near the Beltline, and granted Ansley Golf Club a special use permit — though notably, the committee approved one residential project over the objection of the local neighborhood planning unit. The committee also effectively killed a proposed community center on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway by "filing" the application — council shorthand for closing it out without further action. Several major items were punted for more review: a 13.8-acre mixed-use rezoning on Sylvan Road (which both city staff and the Zoning Review Board have recommended denying) remains held in committee, and a special use permit for a large alcohol-serving establishment on Marietta Street was referred back for additional deliberation. The committee also approved a neighborhood-specific policy change revising sidewalk repaving requirements within the Cabbagetown Landmark District — a small but meaningful update for property owners in that historic area.

Atlanta City Council — Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee

The Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee moved briskly through a heavy docket on May 11, approving a nearly $4.9 million contract extension for citywide demolition and asbestos abatement services — work that directly affects blighted and hazardous properties across Atlanta. The committee also authorized settlements in 14 lawsuits and legal claims, including a $400,000 payout in one case involving the city, while unanimously denying 25 other claims from residents citing potholes, manhole incidents, and sidewalk falls. On the public safety infrastructure side, the committee forwarded a roughly $102,000 annual lease for the Atlanta Police Department's Zone 6 precinct space, locking in that facility through 2030. A proposed 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses in the Edgewood Corridor — a closely watched item for residents in that area — was held in committee at the sponsor's own request, meaning it will return at a future meeting rather than moving forward now.

Atlanta City Council — City Utilities Committee

The City Utilities Committee authorized more than $100 million in water and sewer infrastructure spending at its May 12 meeting, making it one of the more consequential utility sessions in recent memory. The bulk of that figure came from a series of approvals targeting Atlanta's aging sanitary sewer system — including four separate contract actions collectively worth around $60 million for citywide sewer repairs and a $24 million change order to expand work on the Peachtree Creek Westside/Eastside project to include a new "Eastside 2B" phase. The committee also approved $7.5 million for a small water meter replacement program, which matters directly to residents and small businesses who depend on accurate billing. Two items were held for further review: a $4.1 million software maintenance contract for the Department of Watershed Management's billing system, and a request to waive standard flood elevation requirements for a property in the Oldfield Road area — the committee wants more information on both before acting.

Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee

The Community Development/Human Services Committee met May 12 with a packed agenda, but because minutes have not yet been posted, the outcomes of these items — whether approved, deferred, or withdrawn — are not yet confirmed. Among the most significant scheduled items: a $1.05 million contract renewal for Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. to continue maintaining parks and greenspaces within the BeltLine Tax Allocation District, a proposal to create a formal Office of Short-Term Rentals that would require platforms like Airbnb to verify city permits, and formal adoption votes for the Edgewood Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan and the Peachtree Park Neighborhood Plan. The committee was also set to consider an easement for a new public trail spur and a resolution requesting that Fulton County prioritize hospital investment on Atlanta's south and west sides. Residents should check back once minutes are posted to confirm what actually passed — agenda items at this stage can be tabled, deferred, or pulled without warning.

Atlanta City Council — Transportation Committee

The Transportation Committee's May 13 meeting produced a mix of clear wins and notable delays on infrastructure items across the city. The committee unanimously approved abandoning a stretch of Gilmer Street SE to allow Georgia State University to incorporate the right-of-way into its campus, and accepted $6.4 million in state road maintenance grants available for immediate repairs citywide. A resolution to commission a formal feasibility study on converting TSA security screening at Hartsfield-Jackson to a private model also passed 5-0 — a move that could have long-term implications for the airport's operations. On the other hand, three items were held for further review: a $3.6 million grant for Peachtree Street improvements (held for a second time), an $824,000 pedestrian safety project on Campbellton Road, and — notably for Beltline users — a resolution by Councilmember Mary Norwood to add dedicated bicycle and motorized vehicle lanes along the trail to improve pedestrian safety, which will return for additional discussion before any vote.

Atlanta City Council

The full Atlanta City Council convened a Special Called Meeting on May 13 with a singular purpose: locking in the terms for a new series of water and wastewater sustainability bonds. With only eight of fifteen members present — enough for a quorum — the Council voted 8-0 to approve the supplemental pricing ordinance for the Series 2026 bonds, setting final interest rates, maturity dates, and principal amounts for the debt issuance. The bonds are designated as "sustainability bonds," a classification typically tied to projects with environmental or infrastructure benefits, and will fund ongoing improvements and debt refinancing for Atlanta's water and sewer systems. The Council immediately voted to send the ordinance to the Mayor "post-haste" for signature — a signal that locking in favorable bond market rates was time-sensitive and couldn't wait for a regular meeting cycle.

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners held a Special Called Meeting on May 12 focused entirely on one item: the county's Service Delivery Strategy, a state-required agreement between Fulton County and its municipalities that determines which government provides which services — and who pays for them. Because minutes have not yet been posted, it is not confirmed what was decided; the board was scheduled to discuss and potentially act on the strategy, but items on a special called agenda can be tabled or deferred without a final vote. For residents, this matters because the Service Delivery Strategy directly affects whether city and county taxes are being used efficiently and without overlap — it's the legal framework that prevents, for example, city residents from paying county taxes for services only delivered to unincorporated areas. Watch for posted minutes to learn whether the board reached any formal agreement or whether negotiations will continue.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council — Committee on Council — Monday, May 18 at 11:30 AM
The committee is scheduled to take up a resolution requesting certified law enforcement officers at Atlanta recreation centers used as polling sites, as well as a resolution that would authorize the city attorney to hire outside counsel for an independent investigation into contracts and administrative actions involving Foris Webb, III. Also on the agenda: appointments to the Budget Commission ahead of FY2027 planning, a proposed charter change requiring a councilmember to be listed as primary sponsor on most legislation, and a "sunset" resolution that would dissolve several city boards no longer considered active or necessary.

- Atlanta City Council — Monday, May 18 at 1:00 PM
The full council is scheduled to consider a wide range of items, including rezonings for large residential developments, a proposed five-year lease for a new APD Zone 6 precinct in Kirkwood/East Lake, and a $1.05 million renewal for Atlanta Beltline, Inc. to maintain parks and greenspaces within Beltline districts. A city-owned parcel at 3711 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW is up for sale to GDOT to accommodate the I-285/I-20 West interchange reconstruction, and a portion of Gilmer Street SE is proposed for transfer to Georgia State University. A development proposal at 520 Daniel Street SE — a Special Use Permit request for outdoor dining and sales near residential properties — is also on the agenda.

- Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee — Monday, May 18 at 1:00 PM
The committee will consider a resolution requesting dedicated bicycle and motorized vehicle lanes on the Atlanta Beltline to improve pedestrian safety, alongside the $1.05 million Beltline park maintenance contract renewal. Also on the agenda: a proposal to make summer camps free for children who qualify for free or reduced lunch, a renewed push to create an Office of Short-Term Rentals with mandatory permitting requirements, and sweeping land-use redesignations that would shift industrial parcels along Logan Circle and Chattahoochee Avenue NW in West Midtown to high-density mixed use.

- Fulton County Board of Commissioners — Wednesday, May 20 at 10:00 AM
Commissioners are scheduled to consider a resolution requesting the Sheriff decline certain misdemeanor bookings to address jail overcrowding, a $5.3 million funding package for local nonprofits through the Community Services Program, and a resolution supporting small business growth in South Downtown ahead of the 2026 World Cup. MARTA is also on the agenda for its quarterly briefing, and commissioners will consider a resolution challenging the constitutionality of Georgia House Bill 369, which would mandate nonpartisan elections for county officers and district attorneys in Fulton and other metro counties starting in 2028.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits
- 675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE (Ponce City Market) — Temporary Lululemon retail store permitted for Unit S102A. Maybe some sort of pop-up additive to the existing store.
- 676 N Highland Ave NE — Interior conversion underway for a new facial store. A beauty/skincare tenant is fitting out the space with a dedicated treatment room.
- 99 Krog St NE — Permit filed to remove drywall and weld structural signage support at Krog Street Market. A new tenant announcement may not be far behind.
- 650 N Ave NE — Major electrical work permitted: ~200 light fixtures, 65 receptacles, and two 150-amp panels. The scale suggests a significant commercial buildout is underway on the northern edge of O4W.
- 49 Blvd SE — Multiple permits filed for office/leasing and amenity space renovations, plus fire sprinkler work for a new tenant. This address is seeing a busy round of upgrades across the building.
- 348 Auburn Ave NE — Fire alarm system expansions permitted at two separate scopes, including horn strobes and pull stations. Likely part of a tenant buildout or occupancy change in Sweet Auburn.
- 616 Linwood Ave NE — Commercial furnace replacement. Routine, but worth knowing if you're near this stretch of Inman Park — HVAC crews will be on-site.

Road Work

Under Construction
- I-75 Tunnel Lighting Upgrades (Fulton County) — GDOT is swapping out aging high-pressure sodium tunnel lighting for LED fixtures at the Ralph McGill Blvd and Baker Street underpasses along I-75. Work may also involve conduit and wiring replacements. Expect potential lane impacts near these downtown-adjacent tunnels less than a mile from the neighborhood.
- SR 8 Resurfacing (Fulton County) — Paving work is underway along SR 8 (Decatur Street/Memorial Drive corridor) from SR 3 to SR 42, targeting a stretch with a low pavement condition score. If you're cutting through toward downtown or Grant Park, factor in possible delays.
- I-75 LED Lighting Upgrade, I-85 to Memorial Drive (Fulton County) — A broader lighting overhaul is active along the I-75 corridor from the downtown connector to Memorial Drive. Pole, conduit, and wiring work may accompany the fixture replacements — night construction is likely.
- I-75/I-85 Connector Resurfacing (Fulton County) — The downtown connector is getting its first resurfacing since 2016, running from just south of the CSX crossing up to the Brookwood interchange. Heavy equipment on one of Atlanta's busiest stretches means you'll want to give yourself extra time through the connector.
- SR 154 Pedestrian Crossing Improvements (DeKalb & Fulton Counties) — Work is active on SR 154 (Memorial Drive) adding a mid-block pedestrian crossing plus right-in/right-out and restricted U-turn configurations between Hill Street and Pearl Street. This one directly affects walkability and traffic flow on a key east-side corridor close to Krog Street Market.
- SR 42/Moreland Ave at Arkwright Place — Intersection Reconfiguration (Fulton County) — A new median is going in at Moreland and Arkwright Place to create a right-in/right-out only intersection, eliminating left turns. If Moreland is part of your daily route between Inman Park and points south, start planning your approach now.
- I-20 LED Lighting Upgrade, Capitol Ave to Flat Shoals Road (DeKalb & Fulton Counties) — Lighting infrastructure along I-20 east of downtown is being upgraded to LED, with possible pole and conduit work in the mix. Spans both Fulton and DeKalb — worth noting if your commute dips south before heading east.

Pre-Construction

- SR 10 Resurfacing (Fulton County) — Pavement work on SR 10 between I-75 and Ponce de Leon Ave. A short stretch (0.2 miles out), but it sits right at the edge of the neighborhood — worth watching as it moves closer to a start date.
- I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector Study — GDOT is in early scoping on a one-mile segment of the Downtown Connector between Baker/Highland and Decatur Street. Nothing's breaking ground yet, but this study could shape major future changes to one of Atlanta's most congested corridors.
- The Stitch — Phase I (Fulton County) — The long-anticipated cap over I-75/I-85 is funded and in the pipeline. Phase I will begin reconnecting streets severed by the connector decades ago, with pedestrian-focused, multimodal infrastructure. Paired with a related Peachtree Street streetscape project (Ellis St to Baker St), the two projects together represent a significant reshaping of the edge between downtown and Midtown — and a future ripple effect on Beltline-area connectivity.
- SR 8/Ponce de Leon Ave at SR 42 — Intersection Improvements (DeKalb & Fulton) — Turn lane extensions and additions at the Ponce/SR 42 intersection, including a new westbound right turn lane and extended left turn storage. Spans both counties. When construction eventually begins, expect localized disruption on Ponce.
- I-75 Bridge Preservation — 4 Locations, Fulton County — Maintenance work including polymer overlay, repainting, joint replacement, and header repairs at four bridge locations along I-75. Specific sites aren't listed, but given the geography, nearby ramps and overpasses are likely candidates.
- SR 154/Memorial Drive Corridor (Fulton County) — Two linked projects on Memorial Drive between Connally and Grant Streets: auxiliary lane additions and expanded, ADA-upgraded sidewalks to fill gaps and fix damaged segments. Affects the southern edge of the area but could influence cut-through patterns on nearby streets.

Service Requests

Eight traffic signal issues are keeping crews busy across the neighborhood, with three reports clustered at Edgewood Ave & Randolph St, plus individual reports at Krog St & DeKalb Ave, John Wesley Dobbs Ave & Boulevard, N Angier Ave & Ralph McGill Blvd, and Moreland Ave & Euclid Ave.

Sign repairs and replacements are needed at three locations on Seminole Ave NE, along with Moreland & Mansfield and Austin & Moreland.

Potholes flagged at Auburn Ave & Boulevard, Ralph McGill Blvd & Central Park Pl, and Irwin St NE.

Litter removal requested along N Ave NE, Seminole & Sinclair, and Edgewood Ave NE.

Graffiti in the right of way reported at E Ave NE and Austin & Moreland.

Overgrowth blocking visibility on Ralph McGill Blvd NE and Glen Iris Dr NE.