Brookhaven / Chamblee: Dresden's $70M Makeover Is Done

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Hey, Brookhaven and Chamblee neighbors — big week on the ground and at City Hall. The $70 million Parkside on Dresden is officially open, marking a before-and-after moment for one of Brookhaven's most-watched corridors, and DeKalb's $288 million water debt problem is the kind of story that tends to end with a rate hike notice in your mailbox. Plenty more below, including a packed week of government votes you'll want to know about.

- News — Dresden Drive's transformation is complete with the opening of the $70M Parkside development, while DeKalb's $288M water department shortfall is raising real concerns about what comes next on your bill.
- Business — Gap is closing its Perimeter Mall location for good this May, while a Brookhaven home care agency is growing to meet rising demand from seniors aging in place.
- Events — It's a stacked week: Chamblee's free summer concert series kicks off June 12, the Brookhaven Farmers Market as always on Saturday, and the Atlanta Comic Convention lands at the Marriott Northeast on Sunday.
- Government — Brookhaven's City Council votes Monday on a height increase for High Street Atlanta and a possible ambulance hub on Buford Highway, while Chamblee City Council considers rezoning requests.
- Construction — SR-13 repaving is actively underway along Buford Highway, a mystery tenant is gut-renovating a commercial building on Peachtree Road, and a $900K warehouse fire alarm permit signals serious investment on Peachtree Industrial.

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Let’s dive in:

NEWS

DeKalb water customers still owe $288M in unpaid bills
DeKalb County is staring down a $288 million hole in its water department budget — a figure that should make every local homeowner take a second look at their next statement. If the county can't close the gap on delinquent accounts, rate hikes to cover the shortfall are the logical next stop, and that bill lands squarely on the rest of us.

City of Chamblee's summer concert series to feature tribute acts + national talent, kickoff June 12
Summer plans just got considerably easier to fill: Downtown Chamblee's outdoor stage is back with a lineup mixing tribute nostalgia and genuine national touring acts, all free of charge. Mark June 12 on the calendar now before it sneaks up on you.

Connolly Completes $70 Million Parkside on Dresden Mixed-Use Community in Brookhaven
The $70 million redevelopment of Dresden Drive is officially open for business, delivering high-end retail and luxury residential units to what is fast becoming Brookhaven's most transformed corridor. With the retail space already nearly fully leased, the project is a clear signal that the neighborhood's pivot toward a denser, walkable urban core is no longer a vision — it's a done deal.

Brookhaven honors Dan Woodley with dedication of Woodley Plaza
The city took a moment this week to formally recognize Dan Woodley, a civic cornerstone whose work shaped Brookhaven during its critical early years as an incorporated city. Woodley Plaza is a fitting, permanent thank-you from a community that hasn't forgotten who helped build it.

Dear Decaturish — DeKalb Schools' data credibility problem
A pointed critique of how DeKalb County Schools handles its own numbers is raising uncomfortable questions for parents who depend on that data to understand redistricting proposals and track academic performance. When the official stats don't hold up to scrutiny, everything built on top of them — policy, trust, decisions — gets shakier too.

BUSINESS

Complete Care at Home — The Brookhaven-based home care agency is expanding its senior support and specialized nursing services, meeting growing demand from neighbors who want to age in place on their own terms.

Gap — The Perimeter Mall location has kicked off a soft closing and will shut its doors for good this May.

EVENTS

-Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt— Mon Apr 27 — Brookhaven Branch Library
-Earth Day Movie Night— Mon Apr 27 — Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church
-StoryWalk® at Mason Mill Park— Mon Apr 27 — Mason Mill Park
-Coffee & Contacts: April 28— Tue Apr 28 — Corporate Environments
-Tuesday Trivia @ Toco Hills— Tue Apr 28 — Wild Heaven Toco Hills
-Read with a Firefighter— Wed Apr 29 — Brookhaven Branch Library
-Blood Drive— Wed Apr 29 — Brookhaven
-Brandy Clark— Wed Apr 29 — Buckhead Theatre
-Global Floral Show Fleurs de Villes FLORA— Wed Apr 29 — Phipps Plaza
-Lotus Lens Screening: Evil Does Not Exist— Thu Apr 30 — Atlanta Chinatown
-Ron Hsu in conversation with Henna Bakshi— Thu Apr 30 — Atlanta History Center
-Fashion In Bloom: A Spring Runway Show— Thu Apr 30 — Buckhead Village
-National Bubble Tea Day— Thu Apr 30 — Buckhead Village
-Disgraced - On Stage April 17 - May 3— Fri May 1 — Merely Players Presents
-Arts in the Garden— Fri May 1 — Skyland Trail
-Goldens are FURever Gala— Fri May 1 — Atlanta History Center
-Brookhaven Farmers Market— Sat May 2 — Brookhaven
-Handbuilt in Bloom: Ceramics Workshop with Anne— Sat May 2 — The Smith Ceramics Studio & Gallery
-Salsa Body Movement— Sat May 2 — Aatma Dance Studio
-Pro-Life Flower Sale and Baby Shower— Sat May 2 — Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church
-Disgraced - On Stage April 17 - May 3— Sat May 2 — Merely Players Presents
-Free Skin Cancer Screening— Sat May 2 — Peachtree Road Farmers Market
-Spring Fling at Shops Around Lenox— Sat May 2 — Shops Around Lenox
-Uptown Market Atlanta— Sat May 2 — The Lawn at Uptown
-Saved by the Band— Sat May 2 — Napoleon's Grill
-Pedal the Parks— Sun May 3 — Brookhaven Parks
-"Cinco de Mayo" Celebration— Sun May 3 — Plaza Fiesta
-Atlanta Comic Convention— Sun May 3 — Atlanta Marriott Northeast
-Disgraced - On Stage April 17 - May 3— Sun May 3 — Merely Players Presents
-Da Inphamus Amadeuz— Sun May 3 — Josephine Lounge
-Make your own fresh Pasta Class— Sun May 3 — Buckhead Village District

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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

Chamblee City Council & Discover Chamblee Advisory Committee

Chamblee had a busy week at City Hall, with two meetings on the books — but since minutes haven't been posted for either, outcomes aren't yet confirmed. Items may have been tabled, deferred, or otherwise not acted upon.

The bigger of the two was the City Council's regular meeting on April 21, which carried a packed agenda. On the development front, several rezoning proposals were up for second reads — potentially final votes — including projects along Hardee Avenue and Chamblee Tucker Road. A separate proposal on Peachtree Road was also scheduled for action. Second reads are significant because they're typically the last step before a zoning change becomes official.

On infrastructure and parks, the council was set to consider a right-of-way acquisition agreement to extend the Rail Trail through Segments 7-12 — a key step in physically growing the trail network — along with a grant application for a stormwater wetland retrofit along the trail. The Keswick Park Master Plan Implementation Project was also on the agenda, with a notice of award to Foresite Group indicating a move toward active construction. A cost-sharing agreement for the 60% design phase of the Peachtree Boulevard realignment was scheduled as well, a milestone in what will eventually be a significant traffic pattern change.

Regulatory items included a second read on a new Electric Vehicle Parking ordinance, a vote on extending the city's moratorium on new alcohol licenses, a first read on broader alcohol ordinance changes, and a Unified Development Ordinance amendment touching regulations for beauty salons, microblading, and permanent makeup businesses. The council was also set to consider budget amendments for the fourth quarter of 2025 and first quarter of 2026.

The following day, the Discover Chamblee Advisory Committee met on April 22 to take up tourism and economic promotion topics, including a recap of Restaurant Week, updates on the upcoming Art Fest, and a marketing update from Discover DeKalb. No minutes are available from that meeting either.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Committee of the Whole

Minutes are posted for this one, so we know what actually moved forward. The April 21 Committee of the Whole session was dominated by major infrastructure and public safety spending, with the committee advancing items to the full Board of Commissioners for final action.

The largest dollar figures involved the county's wastewater system: a cluster of emergency contracts totaling more than $52 million was advanced for upgrades to the Snapfinger Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility, covering wet weather storage, membrane capacity improvements, and lift station work. These are emergency-level projects aimed at preventing system failures — the kind of investment that doesn't make headlines until a pipe bursts.

On public safety, a $26.6 million multi-year construction contract was awarded to Cooper & Company General Constructors to build three new fire stations in Tucker, Decatur, and Lithonia. New stations mean faster response times in those areas, and the item now moves to the Emergency Response and Public Safety Committee for further review.

The committee also advanced a resolution to issue $142.3 million in Tax Anticipation Notes — a standard short-term borrowing tool counties use to cover operating expenses before property tax revenue arrives later in the year. It's routine finance, but it's a significant number worth knowing about.

A petition for traffic calming on Post Road Pass, between Martin Road and Lost Creek Circle, was accepted and moved to a public hearing — a meaningful step for residents who've been pushing for relief on that stretch. The estimated cost is $15,100.

Other items advanced included a $250,000 contract to update the Kensington Livable Centers Initiative master plan (which guides development and walkability near the Kensington MARTA station), and a new ordinance that would regulate the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops, which heads to committee for further review.

DeKalb County School District Board of Education

The school board's April 20 meeting came with confirmed approvals across the board. The headline item was a $27.7 million mid-year budget amendment — the bulk of it going toward salary supplements for the current fiscal year, a significant financial commitment to staff compensation.

On the capital side, the board approved more than $10 million in facility contracts. A districtwide electrical services contract worth $7 million will fund on-demand repairs and upgrades across school buildings countywide. A $2.5 million roofing contract went to Core Roofing Systems for major roof work at Sagamore Hills Elementary and Canby Lane Elementary. For the new Sequoyah High and Middle Schools and the new Cross Keys High School, the board approved $4.2 million in technology infrastructure — covering physical security systems, network cabling, and fiber installation as those campuses come online.

Furniture and equipment purchases rounded out the capital approvals: $1.5 million for Dresden Elementary and $900,000 for Murphey Candler Elementary, both following recent renovations. The board also approved utility easements at several school sites, clearing the path for Georgia Power and DeKalb County Watershed to bring electrical and sewer upgrades to older facilities and support new health portables.

Meetings This Week
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Committee of the Whole — April 28 at 9:00 AM
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Board of Commissioners — April 28 at 9:00 AM
- DeKalb County School District — Board of Education — April 28
- City of Brookhaven — City Council Work Session — April 28 at 4:30 PM
The council will hear an aquatics presentation — likely covering municipal pool operations, programming, or facility upgrades ahead of summer — and preview items scheduled for upcoming formal votes.

- City of Chamblee — Downtown Development Authority — April 28 at 6:30 PM
The authority is scheduled to consider bond resolutions to help finance a mixed-use City Center project featuring multifamily housing and retail space. The board will also review how DDA-owned properties will be used for the 2026 community events calendar.

- City of Brookhaven — City Council Regular Meeting — April 28 at 6:30 PM
A Special Land Use Permit request for the High Street Atlanta development is on the agenda, seeking a height increase and denser residential use at 5005 and 8008 Summit Blvd. The council will also consider leasing the city-owned building at 3292 Buford Hwy to American Medical Response for an ambulance hub, and is scheduled to vote on an event space policy for Brookhaven City Centre.

- DeKalb County School District — Board of Education Policy Committee — April 30
The committee is expected to advance several policy updates, including a new draft policy on artificial intelligence use in schools, an updated internet acceptable use policy, and a new literacy instruction policy aligned with state standards.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits

- 3747 Peachtree Rd NE — A healthcare facility is renovating serving and pantry spaces on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors (375 sq ft each). Three separate permits filed in quick succession suggest a coordinated floor-by-floor refresh — expect some interior work noise if you're in that building.
- Peachtree Industrial Blvd — A $900K fire alarm system installation permitted for a warehouse. Big-ticket infrastructure work that signals a serious operational commitment to the site.
- 4214 Peachtree Rd — A concrete masonry building is being renovated for a future tenant. No word yet on who's moving in, but a full structural renovation of an empty commercial space is worth watching.
- 3649 Buford Hwy NE — A $185K apartment project routed for DeKalb Watershed Management review. Watershed routing at this dollar level typically precedes larger site work.
- 2544 McClave Dr (Doraville-adjacent) — M&D Jewelry filed for a business license. A jewelry shop coming to the area.

Beyond the headliners, the week's broader permit activity includes 71 occupational tax certificates (a reliable indicator of new and renewing businesses), 38 property maintenance filings, 18 sign permits, and 8 driveway/culvert permits — routine churn, but the sign permits in particular often precede new business openings worth watching.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR-13 Resurfacing (DeKalb County) — Paving work is underway on SR-13 (Buford Highway) from the Fulton County line up to Chamblee Tucker Road. The road scored poorly on state pavement ratings, so GDOT is repaving the full stretch. Expect lane restrictions and slower travel along this corridor until work wraps up.
- Peachtree Industrial Blvd Signal Optimization (DeKalb County) — GDOT is actively tuning the signal system along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard between Peachtree Road and New Peachtree Road. The work aims to improve traffic flow through the corridor, but expect occasional disruptions while crews are on-site.
- Ashford Dunwoody Road EB Ramp at I-285 (DeKalb County) — A third lane is being added to the eastbound on-ramp where Ashford Dunwoody Road meets I-285 northbound. The extra lane is designed to ease the bottleneck that builds here during peak hours. Construction is active, so give yourself extra time if this is part of your daily route.

Pre-Construction

- Ashford Dunwoody Road at Windsor Parkway (DeKalb County) — Intersection safety and operational improvements are planned at this busy crossing. Expect changes to traffic flow at the intersection once work gets underway.
- 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. Good news for cyclists and pedestrians once it's built — for now, it's still in the pipeline.
- Shallowford Road, New Peachtree to Chamblee Dunwoody (DeKalb County) — A 0.74-mile stretch will get a 10-foot shared-use path on the west side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the east side. A meaningful pedestrian upgrade for this corridor when it arrives.
- SR-141 at Peachtree Blvd / North Shallowford Road (Chamblee) — This complex intersection in Chamblee is slated for realignment and operational improvements. If you navigate this tangle regularly, relief may eventually be on the way.
- 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 toward Chamblee-Tucker Road. Still early days, but it's officially in the works.