Brookhaven / Chamblee: $13.6M Greenway Win and DeKalb Schools Go Leaderless

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

Hey Brookhaven and Chamblee! Big week on multiple fronts. The city locked in nearly $13.6 million in federal funding for Peachtree Creek Greenway's next phase, a genuinely meaningful step toward that long-promised BeltLine connection. Meanwhile, DeKalb County Schools just lost two key leaders mid-consolidation, and parents are already asking hard questions about what that means for a process that didn't feel transparent to begin with.

- News — Brookhaven lands $13.6M for the Peachtree Creek Greenway, DeKalb school leadership goes vacant at the worst possible moment, and Chamblee debuts floating wetlands to clean up local creeks.
- Business — The Alden, one of Chamblee's most celebrated restaurants, is temporarily closed after a fire tore through a neighboring apartment complex and displaced 72 residents.
- Events — The Memorial Day Run 5K/10K/13.1 hits the South Peachtree Creek Trail Saturday morning, with a Dalai Lama exhibit, a mixology class at Bar Margot, and a full week of events to round out the long weekend.
- Government — Brookhaven's City Council unanimously approved the Lake Hearn Side Path and locked in a World Cup hosting agreement, while Chamblee heads into a big Monday night council meeting with six zoning cases and a park bond update on the docket.
- Construction — A $300K food-service buildout is moving on Buford Highway, SR-13 resurfacing is actively underway, and several trail and sidewalk projects are funded and inching toward construction.

Let's dive in.

NEWS

Brookhaven secures $13.6 million for Peachtree Creek Greenway Phase II
Big money, big vision. Brookhaven has locked in nearly $13.6 million in federal funding to push the Peachtree Creek Greenway into its second phase, expanding the multi-use trail system toward an eventual connection with the Atlanta BeltLine. Residents in Ashford Park and Brookhaven Fields stand to gain the most immediate access — but the long-term payoff is a genuinely connected regional trail network that's been years in the making.

Key DeKalb Schools leadership roles become vacant amid consolidation talks
The timing couldn't be more uncomfortable: two significant leadership positions in DeKalb County Schools have gone vacant just as the district is deep in deliberations over school closures and boundary changes. For Brookhaven and Chamblee families already watching these consolidation talks closely, a leaderless process is not exactly a reassuring sign.

Governor signs bill making DeKalb elections nonpartisan
Governor Kemp has signed legislation shifting several DeKalb County elected positions to a nonpartisan format — meaning no more party labels on those ballots. Whether you see that as a feature or a bug likely depends on where you stand politically, but either way, it changes how local voters in Brookhaven and Chamblee will evaluate candidates going forward.

Chamblee launches floating wetlands trash trap to clean local waterways
Chamblee is thinking outside the stormwater drain. The city has deployed innovative "floating wetlands" in local creeks — structures designed to physically trap litter and filter out pollutants before they travel further downstream. It's the kind of low-profile infrastructure project that doesn't make headlines until you realize how much junk was ending up in your neighborhood waterways.

DeKalb Commission approves contract for new fire stations
The DeKalb County Commission has greenlit a major contract to design and build new fire stations across the county, a significant public safety investment that's been a long time coming. Faster emergency response times are the direct goal — and for residents in busy, growing corridors like Brookhaven and Chamblee, that's not an abstract benefit.

DeKalb parents push for more engagement on school boundary and closure plans
Parents across DeKalb aren't just worried about which schools might close — they're frustrated that the process itself feels opaque. Community members are pressing the district for genuine engagement as it weighs boundary changes and consolidations that could reshape where kids go to school and what resources they'll have access to throughout the Brookhaven and Chamblee clusters.

BUSINESS

The Alden - temporarily closed - The acclaimed Chamblee restaurant has gone dark after a major fire tore through the neighboring Windsor Parkview apartments on May 10, displacing 72 residents. No word yet on a reopening timeline, but the closure is a tough blow for a spot that's become one of the neighborhood's most celebrated tables.

EVENTS

The Memorial Day Run 5K/10K/13.1 hits the South Peachtree Creek Trail this Saturday — a great reason to lace up (or at least cheer from the sidelines) as the long weekend kicks off. Plan your route accordingly if you're heading that way in the morning.

Monday, May 18
- Summer Reading Challenge Scavenger Hunt | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Summer Reading Challenge Scavenger Hunt | Chamblee Library
- Weekday Winning: Mega Mondays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

Tuesday, May 19
- The Extraordinary Life of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama: An Illuminated Journey by Rima Fujita at OUMA | Oglethorpe University Museum of Art
- Natalie Nunn: "Already Rich" Tour | Buckhead Theatre
- Aaron Cline Hanbury | Atlanta History Center
- Diamond Painting | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Tuesday Trivia @ Toco Hills | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Mixology Class Returns to Bar Margot | Bar Margot

Wednesday, May 20
- Navigating A.I. For Business | Brookhaven City Centre
- Millage Rate & Mid-Year Budget Review Community Information Sessions | 3518 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA
- Ben Bostick | Moondog Pub & Grub
- Weekday Winning: Wicked Good Wednesday | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Ladies Night | Johnny's Hideaway

Thursday, May 21
- Party with the Past: Georgia Public Broadcasting Studios | Atlanta History Center
- 3rd Thursdays in the North Metro! | Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Dunwoody
- Paul Ollinger | The Punchline
- JHB PLAYS JGB | Napoleon's Grill
- Levi Ransom | The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill Buckhead

Friday, May 22
- Red Cross Blood Drive | Chamblee, GA
- RIDDIM FRIDAYS | Josephine Lounge

Saturday, May 23
- Brookhaven Farmers Market | Brookhaven Farmers Market
- Blooms Chinatown Market (5/23) | Atlanta Chinatown
- FREE Puppy Hour at Central Bark Brookhaven | Central Bark Brookhaven
- Fair Strikes Pinball Tournament at The Escape Gamebar | The Escape Gamebar
- Memorial Day Run 5K/10K/13.1 ATLANTA | South Peachtree Creek Trail
- Eric Roberson | Buckhead Theatre
- Pentecost Vigil | Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church
- Freight Dispatching Operations Workshop (Saturday Intensive) | Hands-On | 5269 Buford Hwy NE
- MJ THE XPERIENCE - LIVE | Londzell Performing Arts Theatre
- Saturday Vinyasa Yoga Classes with Highland Yoga | Buckhead Village

Sunday, May 24
- 3 Guys Burgers & Buys – Sunday Nights at L3 | Local Three Kitchen & Bar

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GOVERNMENT

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

Past Week Roundup

Brookhaven City Council

Brookhaven's City Council had a productive May 12 meeting, with every major item passing on unanimous 4-0 votes. The biggest infrastructure win was approval of a construction contract worth $87,024 for the Lake Hearn Side Path, a pedestrian and cyclist trail being built in partnership with the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts at a 50/50 cost split. Council also authorized more than $4.7 million in capital budget transfers — $2.05 million into the General Fund and $2.73 million into a Capital Reserve — to fund long-term infrastructure priorities. On the planning side, the council adopted the CDBG 2026–2030 Consolidated Plan, which locks in how the city will deploy federal Community Development Block Grant dollars for neighborhood improvements and social services over the next five years. The city also entered a hosting agreement with the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee, a move that positions Brookhaven to receive federal FEMA safety funding tied to the international tournament. Rounding out the meeting, a four-year signs and signals maintenance contract was awarded to Sunbelt Traffic, and Tim Grow was appointed to the Arts and Culture Commission.

Brookhaven Development Authority

The Brookhaven Development Authority kept its May 14 meeting focused on fiscal housekeeping and property management. The board's one formal vote — a unanimous 6-0 approval — amended the FY2026 budget to realign the authority's economic development spending for the rest of the year. Beyond that, Economic Development Director Aaron Szarowicz gave status reports on lease agreements for two city-managed commercial properties along the Buford Highway corridor, signaling that those sites remain active points of oversight rather than settled matters. Deputy City Manager Steve Chapman also delivered a routine financial update on the authority's overall standing. While no new development projects were voted on, the meeting reflects the ongoing administrative work that keeps the city's commercial portfolio on track.

Brookhaven Arts and Culture Commission

The Brookhaven Arts and Culture Commission's May 13 meeting carried a full agenda of public art proposals and funding decisions — though because minutes have not yet been posted, it's unclear which items were approved, tabled, or deferred. The most notable financial item scheduled was a vote on Resolution ARTS26-04, which would authorize up to $8,000 to fund a soccer-themed community celebration tied to the upcoming World Cup. The commission was also set to consider two new public art installations — "Technicolor Timescape" and a "2026 Dashboard" piece by Wendy Mendro — proposed for City Centre, along with updated mural designs for North Druid Hills Road and a repair update on the decorative crosswalks at Windsor Parkway and Osborne Road. A revised FY2026 budget was also on the table, which would affect how the city's cultural dollars are allocated for the remainder of the year. Residents interested in these outcomes should check back once minutes are posted, as any item may have been tabled or amended during the actual meeting.

Chamblee City Council Public Hearing & Work Session

Chamblee's May 14 Public Hearing and Work Session was headlined by six zoning cases spanning some of the city's busiest corridors and quieter residential streets, though minutes haven't been posted yet so actual outcomes remain unknown. The cases — covering locations from Peachtree Road and Clairmont Road to Hildon Circle and the area near DeKalb-Peachtree Airport — represent a broad cross-section of the city, and public hearings like these are residents' primary opportunity to weigh in before the council acts. Also on the agenda: a staff update on the future Chamblee Park planned for the Woodacres Road and Clairmont Terrace site, a Park Bond project residents have been tracking for new greenspace. The council was also scheduled to consider a Preliminary Engineering Agreement for road and connectivity improvements along the Broad Street–Peachtree Road–Irvindale corridor, which could affect traffic flow between downtown Chamblee and its main commercial spine. Amendments to the city's Alcohol Ordinance were up for a second read, putting them close to a final vote, and the city was weighing whether to join an amicus brief in the zoning-related case Chang v. City of Milton. As always with agenda-only coverage, readers should note that any of these items may have been tabled or deferred.

DeKalb County School District Board of Education

The DeKalb County School Board met twice this week, with both meetings producing confirmed approvals. At the May 11 regular meeting, the board advanced the FY2027 Tentative Budget and Tax Levy — the first formal step toward setting next year's property tax rate for DeKalb residents — and approved more than $20 million in service contracts covering district-wide plumbing repairs ($7.5 million across eight vendors), tree trimming ($3.5 million), bleacher replacements ($3 million), and a new public safety vehicle fleet ($1 million). The board also greenlit nearly $500,000 in security and technology upgrades at Cross Keys High School, $600,000 for EV charging infrastructure at a North Decatur district site, and a $500,000 student enrollment recovery initiative. A policy update to the student assignment rules — which governs school zones and transfer protocols — was officially approved at that same meeting. Then at a May 15 called session, the full board approved $5.5 million more in facility contracts: a $3 million spending increase for supplemental custodial services across district buildings and a $2.5 million final renewal for district-wide landscaping through Yellowstone Landscape SE.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners had two meetings this week — a May 12 regular session and a May 16 follow-up — but minutes for neither have been posted, so actual votes and outcomes are not yet confirmed. The May 12 agenda was one of the year's most consequential, touching nearly every aspect of county life: a $26.58 million project to build three new fire stations was up for a vote, alongside an $8 million allocation for the South Peachtree Creek Trail Extension connecting Medlock Park to Lulah Hills, and $32.37 million in emergency upgrades to the Snapfinger wastewater facility. Data centers were a major focus, with a public hearing scheduled on countywide regulations for the industry and a separate proposal requiring health and environmental baseline studies before new data center permits are issued. Quality-of-life items included a proposed Water Customer Bill of Rights, a landscaping rebate program to incentivize residents to switch from gas- to electric-powered yard equipment, and a long-deferred ordinance targeting chronic nuisance properties. Readers should treat all of the above as scheduled agenda items only — any may have been tabled, deferred, or amended before a vote was taken.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

City of Chamblee — City Council Public Hearing & Work Session
- 3663 Clairmont Rd — A zoning case (PZ2026-1663) is scheduled to be heard at this high-visibility Clairmont Road address, with action potentially pending.
- 5037 Peachtree Rd — A development proposal (PZ2026-1664) is on the agenda for this Peachtree Road location in the heart of Chamblee.
- 2259 Lawson Way — A zoning case (PZ2026-2259) is on the agenda for this address near DeKalb-Peachtree Airport.
- 2145 Dering Cir — A zoning case (PZ2026-1645) is scheduled for consideration at this address near the I-85 corridor.
- 1901 & 1900 Century Blvd — Zoning case PZ2026-1644 is scheduled for a public hearing at these two addresses in the Century Center office hub.

City of Brookhaven — Arts and Culture Commission
- N Druid Hills Rd — A $500 payment to artist "Hey Elise" for revised mural designs along this corridor is scheduled to be considered by the commission.
- Windsor Pkwy & Osborne Rd — Staff is scheduled to provide an update on repair work for the decorative public art crosswalks at this neighborhood intersection.
- Brookhaven City Centre — Two new public art installations — "Technicolor Timescape" and a City Centre Atrium piece — are on the agenda for commission consideration.

Meetings This Week
- City of Chamblee — City Council Regular — Monday, May 19 at 6:00 PM
The Council is set to consider a progress update on the bond-funded Chamblee Park project at Woodacres Road and Clairmont Terrace, a preliminary engineering agreement for road and connectivity improvements along the Broad Street–Peachtree Road–Irvindale corridor, and a second reading of amendments to the city's Alcohol Ordinance. Six planning and zoning cases are also on the docket, with properties at 1900 and 1901 Century Blvd, 2145 Dering Cir, 3663 Clairmont Rd, 5037 Peachtree Rd, 3478 Hildon Cir, and 2259 Lawson Way all scheduled for review.

- City of Brookhaven — Board of Appeals Work Session — Tuesday, May 20 at 5:30 PM
The Board will preview a slate of residential variance requests ahead of the evening's formal meeting. Cases include requests to build within the city's 75-foot stream buffer at 1093 Hunters Brook Ct, 2574 Cove Cir, and 2640 Cove Cir; retaining wall setback reductions at 2871 Parkridge Dr and 1861 Remington Rd; increased impervious coverage at 1316 Sunland Dr; and a specimen tree removal request at 2957 Skyland Dr.

- City of Brookhaven — Board of Appeals Regular — Tuesday, May 20 at 7:00 PM
The Board will take up the same set of residential variance cases introduced at the earlier work session, with formal action possible. Requests involve stream buffer encroachments at 1093 Hunters Brook Ct, 2574 Cove Cir, and 2640 Cove Cir; setback and retaining wall variances at 2871 Parkridge Dr and 1861 Remington Rd; impervious coverage increases at 1316 Sunland Dr; and a request to remove a specimen tree at 2957 Skyland Dr.

- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Committee of the Whole — Wednesday, May 21 at 9:00 AM
Commissioners are scheduled to consider the tentative 2026 millage rates, proposed fee increases for sanitation and stormwater utilities, and rate hikes for county courthouse parking. Also on the agenda: proposed roundabouts at Ponce De Leon Avenue at East Lake Road and at W. Ponce De Leon/N. Parkwood Road, as well as at Clairmont Road and Rosecliff Drive; a resolution to establish independent civilian oversight of the county's "Digital Shield" surveillance network; and infrastructure contracts totaling several million dollars for airport security fencing, facility roof repairs, and park maintenance.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits

- 3600 DeKalb Technology Pkwy — Multiple business licenses filed at this Doraville address, including a canteen operator, an outdoor services company, and a team called Teamwork (filing under two license numbers). The DeKalb Technology Parkway corridor continues to see steady commercial activity.
- 5175 Buford Hwy — A $300K commercial permit filed, described as a fat and grease permit application — typically required for restaurant kitchen operations. A project this size suggests a significant food-service buildout or upgrade is underway.
- 4337 Buford Hwy #170 — Change of ownership for an existing restaurant space, with interior cosmetic renovations in the works. Nothing structural, but a new operator is taking over.
- 4301 N Peachtree Rd, Ste 100 — Fire Marshal review filed for a new business. No details on the tenant yet, but the review is a standard step before opening.
- 5197 Buford Hwy, Ste 217 — Grac'd Beauty filed for a business license. A new salon coming to the Buford Highway corridor.

On the residential side, 62 permits were filed this week — mostly occupational tax certificates, property maintenance, plumbing, and signage. Nothing dramatic, just the usual rhythm of the neighborhood keeping itself in order.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR-13 Resurfacing (DeKalb County) — Active resurfacing work is underway on SR-13 from the Fulton County line to Chamblee Tucker Road, targeting a stretch with a low pavement condition rating. Expect lane disruptions along this corridor and give yourself extra time if this is part of your daily route.
- Peachtree Industrial Blvd Signal Optimization (DeKalb County) — Work is ongoing to upgrade and optimize traffic signals along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard between Peachtree Road and New Peachtree Road. Signal timing and phasing may be off during active work periods, so don't be surprised by longer waits at intersections along this stretch.
- Ashford Dunwoody Road EB Ramp at I-285 (DeKalb County) — A third lane is being added to the eastbound ramp connecting Ashford Dunwoody Road to I-285 northbound, a long-overdue fix for one of the area's chronic bottlenecks. Construction is active, so expect some congestion near the interchange while work is underway — but the payoff should be meaningful relief once it's done.

Pre-Construction

- Ashford Dunwoody Road at Windsor Parkway (DeKalb County) — Intersection safety and operational improvements are coming to this busy crossing. No construction date yet, but the funding is in place — worth keeping an eye on if this is part of your daily route.
- Chamblee Rail Trail Extension (DeKalb County) — A new shared-use path will run from Pierce Drive north to Peachtree Boulevard, then along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard to Chamblee Dunwoody Road. A meaningful addition for cyclists and pedestrians once it breaks ground.
- Shallowford Road, New Peachtree to Chamblee Dunwoody (DeKalb County) — This 0.74-mile project adds a 10-foot shared-use path on the west side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the east side of Shallowford Road. Good news for anyone walking or biking this stretch.
- SR-141 at Peachtree Blvd / North Shallowford Road (DeKalb County) — Located in Chamblee, this project aims to realign the intersection at Peachtree Boulevard and North Shallowford Road. The geometry here has long been awkward; a redesign is overdue.
- North Fork Trail, Fischer Trail Park to Presidential Parkway — Phase I (DeKalb County) — Concept development is funded for a multiuse trail along North Fork Peachtree Creek from Fischer Trail to Chamblee-Tucker Road. Still early stage, but a promising long-term addition to the trail network.

Utility Work
- Grant Drive Road Closure Begins May 8 — Road closure on Grant Drive started May 8. Check the link for detour details and expected duration.
- DeKalb Announces Memorial Day Residential Sanitation Collection Schedule — Trash and recycling pickup schedules will shift around Memorial Day. Check the link to confirm your collection day.