Brookhaven / Chamblee: Crime Dips in Brookhaven and DeKalb Development Plan Moves Forward

Good morning, Brookhaven and Chamblee! Crime is down, Chamblee's downtown just got a major funding boost, and there's plenty to keep you busy this week — from free ice cream at High Street to a dog adoption event on Thursday.

- News — From a promising downward trend in Brookhaven crime to a closer look at school district travel spending, we're breaking down the headlines hitting closest to home.
- Business — Novo Cucina is now open for takeout in a BusyBody ATL exclusive.
- Events — Whether you're grabbing a free cone at High Street or adopting a pup at Mutts & Putts, there are plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the neighborhood.
- Government — City leaders are moving forward with vibrant new murals and the critical financing needed to finally turn Chamblee's City Center from a concept into a construction site.
- Construction — Between a major kitchen renovation at QuikTrip and resurfacing work on Buford Highway, several key infrastructure projects are beginning to ramp up.

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Let’s dive in.

NEWS

Crime rates decreased in Brookhaven from 2024-2025
If you've noticed a bit more peace and quiet lately, you aren't imagining it, as newly released data shows a downward trend in crime across the city. While the statistics are a win for the local police department, the report serves as a timely reminder for residents to keep those doorbell cameras active and stay neighborly.

Chamblee police chief committed to privacy rights, public safety with Real Time Crime Center
Chief Michael Dieppa is making a public case for the city's high-tech surveillance hub, framing it as a necessary evolution for modern public safety rather than a move toward "Big Brother." For those of us living and working in Chamblee, it means the city is doubling down on technology to cut response times, though the chief is working hard to reassure the skeptical that your privacy remains part of the plan.

Tenants upset about inconveniences after Brookhaven parking garage collapse
Residents affected by the recent garage collapse continue to deal with shuttle services and limited parking as repairs drag on, with growing frustration over the pace of recovery. Navigating the daily logistical hurdles of shuttles and limited parking has become a major headache, highlighting the long-term disruptions that follow even after the initial emergency crews have left the scene.

DeKalb superintendent travel costs draw scrutiny after Horton's federal indictment
Local parents are keeping a sharp eye on school board proceedings as questions arise regarding leadership's travel spending. With the district under a microscope following recent legal troubles for other officials, residents are demanding more transparency to ensure that tax dollars are actually reaching the classrooms instead of funding out-of-town trips.

Decide DeKalb approves strategic economic development plan
A new roadmap for growth has been greenlit, aiming to bring a more intentional approach to how the county attracts business and manages development. For Brookhaven and Chamblee residents, this plan could dictate the future of our commercial corridors, hopefully shifting the focus toward projects that add genuine value and better infrastructure to our busy streets.

BUSINESS

Novo Cucina — BusyBody ATL Original Story — Novo Cucina has just opened for takeout while they wait on their liquor license to get approved. Stay tuned for more details as they gear up for a full opening.

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EVENTS

Grab a free cone at Ben & Jerry's on Tuesday, check out the Mutts & Putts dog adoption event on Thursday, or hit the Brookhaven Farmers Market on Saturday — there are plenty of reasons to get outside this week.

Monday, April 13
- Adult Take & Make Craft | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Book Discussion: Poetry | Chamblee Library

Tuesday, April 14
- Family Storytime | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Personal Narrative Creative Writing Workshop | Wild Aster Books
- RE:IMAGINE's Free Ice Cream Cone Day with Ben & Jerry's | Ben & Jerry's - High Street Atlanta
- Tuesday Trivia @ Toco Hills | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

Wednesday, April 15
- LEGO Afternoon | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Cherokee Garden Library Spring Lecture: Thomas Woltz | Atlanta History Center
- The Academy Is… at Buckhead Theatre | Buckhead Theatre

Thursday, April 16
- Baby Rave | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Mutts & Putts Dog Adoption Event | Brookhaven
- LEGO® F1® – themed 'Build the Thrill Event' | LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta
- Wild Minds with Dr. Daniel Matisoff | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Diane Durrett & Soul Suga' Spring Fling | Napoleon's Grill

Friday, April 17
- Disgraced | Merely Players Presents
- OLA Bingo Night | Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church
- Grupo Mandingo | El Centenario Restaurant & Bar
- RTP - The Rush Tribute Project | Buckhead Theatre

Saturday, April 18
- Brookhaven Farmers Market | Brookhaven Farmers Market
- Excursions: Atlanta 2026 | Excursions
- Mt. Joy: Hope We Have Fun Tour 26 | Chastain Park
- Love is Love Plant Sale | Peachtree Road Farmers Market
- Buttermilk Kitchen's Biscuit Making Class | The Pantry by Buttermilk Kitchen
- Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra Presents: Flying with Friends | North Decatur Presbyterian Church
- Pinewood Derby | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

Sunday, April 19
- Tree Tour: The Secrets of Chastain Park | Chastain Memorial Park
- Themestock 14 | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- The Art of Hatmaking Experience | BM Franklin & Co

GOVERNMENT

Note: it’s an unusually quiet week as many governing bodies take spring break; if you’re new here, you can see what this section usually looks like in prior issues

Past Week Roundup

Brookhaven Arts and Culture Commission
The Commission is mapping out a more vibrant visual landscape for the city, focusing on turning everyday infrastructure into points of pride. They are moving forward with a major mural proposal from Living Walls, which will likely bring large-scale art to high-visibility commercial corridors. This matters to residents because it directly impacts the aesthetic "brand" of the city and its appeal to visitors. Beyond new murals, the city is tackling the maintenance of existing crosswalk art to ensure pedestrian safety and neighborhood character remain intact during the upcoming work phase. Inside the new City Centre, plans are being finalized for a major atrium installation designed to make the taxpayer-funded facility feel like a welcoming public space rather than just a government office. Families should also look out for new art-meets-athletics installations at local soccer fields and the expansion of small-scale projects like poem boxes and community gardens aimed at improving neighborhood walkability.

Chamblee Downtown Development Authority
The gears of downtown redevelopment are turning faster following a special meeting focused on high-stakes financing. The Authority approved bond resolutions—essentially the legal paperwork required to secure the funding needed to build the apartments and retail shops planned for the new City Center. This is a critical milestone; it is the financial "green light" that moves the project from a concept to a construction site. Additionally, the Authority finalized land sales and updated agreements with major developers for high-end residential projects near the city's core. For residents, these bureaucratic steps are the clearest signal yet that significant building activity and new commercial options are imminent, marking the transition from planning the downtown's future to actually building it.

Meetings This Week
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Board of Commissioners, April 14 at 9:00 AM. This regular session typically covers county-wide legislative items, budget amendments, and departmental reports.

- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Committee of the Whole, April 14 at 9:00 AM. Commissioners use these meetings to discuss complex policy issues and upcoming legislation in detail before they move to a formal vote.

- City of Brookhaven — Development Authority Special Called, April 14 at 11:00 AM. This special session likely addresses specific economic development projects or public-private financing agreements within the city.

- City of Brookhaven — City Council Regular, April 14 at 6:30 PM. The Council will consider a city-wide text amendment regarding building heights and density, along with a $325,260 contract to rebuild the Brookhaven Park Pavilion. Other major items include a $446,918 expenditure for police tactical gear and emergency storm drain repairs.

- City of Brookhaven — Board of Appeals Work Session, April 15 at 5:30 PM. This session will review several homeowner requests to bypass standard zoning rules, including high-impact proposals to build within protected floodplains and stream buffers. The board will also examine requests for increased "hard surface" coverage and a safety waiver for a tall front-yard fence.

- City of Brookhaven — Board of Appeals Regular, April 15 at 7:00 PM. Following the work session, the board will hold formal hearings and vote on variance requests, including a complex proposal to develop a residential lot within a floodplain on Dunwoody Place. Other votes include reductions in property line setbacks and commercial signage requirements.

- City of Chamblee — City Council Public Hearing & Work Session, April 16 at 6:00 PM. This meeting serves as a preliminary review of upcoming city ordinances and land-use petitions before they are moved to a regular voting session.

CONSTRUCTION

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Permits
- 5317 Peachtree Industrial Blvd — Interior renovation work is moving forward with fire safety upgrades. This busy commercial corridor continues to see a steady stream of tenant improvements.
- Pierce Dr & Hwy 141 — $145K renovation permit filed for the QuikTrip at this major intersection. The kitchen is getting a significant overhaul with new fryers and freezer equipment, signaling a heavy investment in their "full-service" food counter.
- Peachtree Industrial Blvd — Eight "Right-of-Way Utility Encroachment" permits were recently filed for the area. While minor in cost, these usually signal upcoming utility work near the road or sidewalk—keep an eye out for orange cones and temporary lane shifts.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 13 / Buford Highway Resurfacing (DeKalb County) — Maintenance crews are resurfacing a major stretch of SR 13 from the Fulton County line up to Chamblee Tucker Road. This project aims to fix low pavement ratings, so expect nighttime lane closures and uneven surfaces as you drive through the heart of Brookhaven and Chamblee.
- Peachtree Industrial Blvd Signal Optimization (DeKalb County) — Traffic signal upgrades and system optimizations are underway on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard between Peachtree Road and New Peachtree Road. This should eventually lead to better light timing, but watch for crews working near intersections.
- Ashford Dunwoody Road EB Ramp at I-285 (DeKalb County) — Construction is active on the eastbound ramp from Ashford Dunwoody Road to I-285 northbound. A third lane is being added to the ramp to help clear the bottleneck for commuters heading toward the Perimeter.
- PATH400 Trail Extension Phase II (Fulton County) — Work continues on the middle segment of the PATH400 trail, extending from Windsor Parkway to just north of Baroque Circle. While this is a pedestrian project, stay alert for construction activity near the city's western border with Sandy Springs.

Pre-Construction
- Ashford Dunwoody Road at Windsor Parkway — Safety and operational improvements at this key Brookhaven intersection are in the works. This project aims to streamline traffic flow and boost safety for one of the area's busiest connection points.
- City of Chamblee Rail Trail Extension — A new shared-use path is planned to run from Pierce Drive north toward Peachtree Boulevard, eventually crossing Chamblee Dunwoody Road. This extension will further connect the neighborhood's growing trail network.
- Shallowford Road Shared-Use Path — Expect new pedestrian and bike infrastructure between New Peachtree Road and Chamblee Dunwoody Road. The project adds a 10-foot shared-use path on the west side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the east side to improve neighborhood walkability.
- SR-141 (Peachtree Boulevard) at North Shallowford Road — This project in Chamblee will re-align the intersection at Parsons Drive and Peachtree Road to improve sightlines and traffic flow.
- I-285 Eastbound and Westbound Express Lanes (DeKalb & Fulton Counties) — A major regional project to construct two managed express lanes in each direction from the North Springs MARTA station on SR-400 to Henderson Road. This massive "Top End" undertaking spans multiple counties and will significantly alter the I-285 corridor.
- I-85 Pavement Markings (DeKalb & Gwinnett Counties) — Significant regional maintenance is planned for I-85 from north of SR-155 up to SR-140 (Jimmy Carter Blvd), which may impact late-night visibility and lane configurations during the striping phase.
- North Fork Trail (Phase I) — A multi-use trail is being developed along the North Fork Peachtree Creek, spanning from Fischer Trail Park to Chamblee-Tucker Road, adding more recreational connectivity to the area.
- I-85 and I-285 Bridge Preservation (DeKalb County) — Necessary maintenance is coming to four bridge locations across I-85 and I-285. Work includes polymer overlays, joint replacements, and painting to extend the lifespan of these heavily used overpasses.