Brookhaven / Chamblee: New Crime Center and More School Closure Talk

Welcome to your weekly update for Brookhaven and Chamblee! This week, we’re highlighting the launch of a high-tech crime center in Chamblee. We also have details on new luxury townhomes and ongoing local school closure discussions.

Big Stories — Chamblee is going high-tech with a new real-time crime center. Plus, learn about a new luxury townhome project on Buford Highway and what the latest DeKalb County school closure talks mean for local families.

Local Business Updates — Chamblee’s first self-pour taproom is now pouring 40 different beverages, and the beloved Rumi’s Kitchen has officially reopened its doors in Sandy Springs after renovations.

Upcoming Events — Get ready for early St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with the Lucky Run at South Peachtree Creek Trail or a block party at Fadó. Local libraries are also hosting plenty of family activities this week, including egg scavenger hunts and seed giveaways.

Local Government Discussion — Officials are reviewing a massive 320-unit mixed-use project at Century Center and considering significant building height increases along the Buford Highway corridor. In Brookhaven, the Planning Commission is evaluating a proposal to turn "stalled" office space at Perimeter Summit into an 8-story residential building.

Development & Construction Nearby — A new $8.6 million apartment complex is slated for Prestwick Shelby Lane, and major resurfacing continues along Buford Highway and Peachtree Road. Looking ahead, the Chamblee Rail Trail extension and pedestrian safety improvements near John Lewis Elementary are officially funded and moving forward.

Let’s dive in.

Chamblee police launch real-time crime center to track, prevent crime (March 05, 2026)
The city of Chamblee has officially opened a new Real-Time Crime Center, a high-tech facility that integrates public and private surveillance feeds to assist officers in the field. This infrastructure investment is designed to decrease emergency response times and provide investigators with immediate visual data during active incidents throughout the city.

Local builders developing luxury townhome community in Brookhaven (March 04, 2026)
Harrison Homes has broken ground on "Valemont," a new luxury townhome development located near the vibrant Buford Highway corridor. The project will bring 28 upscale units to the neighborhood, capitalizing on the high demand for walkable housing options near local international dining and retail hubs.

'Tree of Kovel' unveiled in Chamblee, honoring Ukraine (March 04, 2026)
Chamblee has dedicated a new public art installation that celebrates the city's "sister city" relationship with Kovel, Ukraine. The sculpture serves as a permanent symbol of international friendship and cultural exchange, offering residents a new landmark to visit in the city's growing public arts landscape.

8-year-old finds healing at Atlanta's new Ronald McDonald House (March 03, 2026)
The recently opened Ronald McDonald House in Brookhaven is already providing critical support and housing for families managing serious pediatric medical journeys. The facility offers specialized recovery spaces and community support for families like the Crosses, who have spent months away from home during intensive treatments.

Spruill Center to open affordable artist studio in Chamblee (March 02, 2026)
The Spruill Center for the Arts is expanding into Chamblee with a new initiative to provide affordable studio space for local artists. As property values in the area continue to rise, this project aims to preserve creative spaces and ensure that local makers can afford to live and work within our community.

Decaturish Download will discuss DeKalb School closures (March 04, 2026)
Local education officials are moving forward with difficult discussions regarding potential school closures across DeKalb County. These talks are a response to shifting neighborhood demographics and facility maintenance needs, and the outcomes could lead to significant redistricting for families in the Brookhaven and Chamblee areas.

Brews & Hops Taproom - opening - Chamblee’s first self-pour taproom is now open for business, featuring 40 beer and wine taps along with a snack menu of Indian-fusion flatbreads, wings, and chaat. (March 05, 2026)

Rumi's Kitchen - opening - The acclaimed Persian restaurant officially reopened its location in nearby Sandy Springs this week, welcoming diners back to the renovated space following a temporary closure for updates. (March 06, 2026)

Monday, March 09
- Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Adult Take & Make Craft | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Preschool Storytime | Chamblee Library
- Embry Hills Monday Book Club | Embry Hills Library

Tuesday, March 10
- Toddler Time | Chamblee Library
- Family Storytime | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Tuesday Trivia @ Toco Hills | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

Wednesday, March 11
- Literary Open Mic: In Full Bloom | Wild Aster Books
- English as a Second Language (ESL) | Chamblee Library
- Songs and Stories with Mr. Adam | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Ben Bostick | Moondog Pub & Grub
- Nimesh Patel: With All Due Disrespect | Buckhead Theatre

Thursday, March 12
- Atlanta Career Fair | Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Perimeter Center
- Anything Goes | Lakeside High School
- Tuna Cutting & Tasting at O by BRush | Buckhead Village District

Friday, March 13
- Homeschool Fun Fridays | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Lucky Steps: Irish Step Dancing Pop-Up at The Studios Brookhaven | The Studios Brookhaven
- Flip Frenzy Friday Pinball at The Escape Gamebar | The Escape Gamebar
- Sticky Fingers - Live in North America | Buckhead Theatre
- Children’s Museum of Atlanta Imagination Ball | Atlanta History Center

Saturday, March 14
- Atlanta United Watch Party | Plaza Fiesta
- Spring Ornaments | Brookhaven Branch Library
- STEM Adventures at Kiddie Academy of Dunwoody-Chamblee | Kiddie Academy of Dunwoody-Chamblee
- Daffodil Show at Peachtree Road Farmers Market | Peachtree Road Farmers Market
- Master’s & MBA Fair – QS Discover in Atlanta | Grand Hyatt Atlanta Buckhead
- St. Paddy's Day Lucky Run 5K/10K/13.1 ATLANTA | South Peachtree Creek Trail
- St. Patrick’s Day Block party at Fadó | Buckhead Village District
- Margaret Cho: Choligarchy | Buckhead Theatre

DeKalb County School District

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board of Education held a multi-part session on March 9, which included a Work Session, a Business Meeting, and an Executive Session. While the board met to review departmental reports and discuss policy changes, specific details regarding major policy decisions, large expenditures, or the results of formal votes were not detailed in the meeting’s summary directory. These sessions typically serve as the primary venue for the Board to vet upcoming agenda items before they are moved to a final vote.

Other topics:
The meeting included a dedicated Community Input Session, providing a platform for public comment, though specific resident concerns were not recorded in the available summary. The Board also entered into an Executive Session, a standard procedure for discussing confidential matters such as personnel, litigation, or real estate acquisition.

City of Chamblee

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Design Review Board (DRB) focused primarily on a major redevelopment proposal known as Alliance Century Center (or Broadstone Century Center). This "Development of Community Impact" (DCI) seeks to transform 15.7 acres of aging, mostly vacant office space at 1900 and 1901 Century Boulevard into a high-density mixed-use "village center." The project includes 320 multi-family residential units and approximately 10,200 square feet of ground-floor retail. The board reviewed a substantial list of 15 variances and waivers, including requests to reduce the required zoning buffer adjacent to single-family homes from 40 feet to 30 feet and to allow wood-frame construction rather than concrete/steel for the five-story buildings. The project is heavily influenced by environmental constraints from the North Fork Peachtree Creek, which limits the buildable area to the western side of the property.

The Board also reviewed the status of the "Edmund Chamblee" project, a 61-unit mixed-income development planned for Hardee Avenue. The DRB had previously recommended specific design changes, such as adding balconies and aligning the building with supplemental zones. This project is moving forward to a public hearing with the City Council this coming week.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
1900 and 1901 Century Boulevard: The proposed Alliance Century Center would replace 1970s-era office buildings with a modern residential and retail hub. Neighbors in the Hilcrest subdivision should take note of the requested buffer reductions and the anticipated traffic increase of roughly 127 afternoon peak-hour trips.

Other topics:
The board approved minutes from their February meeting, which solidified design recommendations for developments on Hardee Avenue and Fourth Street.

Meetings in the Next Week
- City Council Public Hearing & Work Session, March 12 at 6:00 PM: The Council will consider a 61-unit mixed-income development at 3380 & 3384 Hardee Avenue and 1982 & 1974 4th Street, as well as a map amendment to allow airport-related parking at 3297 and 3289 Hardee Avenue. Other major items include the adoption of the "Safe Streets for All" safety plan to address traffic fatalities and a land-use assignment for recently annexed properties at 2816, 2820, 2822, and 2824 Chamblee Tucker Rd.

City of Brookhaven

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Planning Commission focused on two major shifts in city density and land use. The first is a proposed 280-unit mixed-use apartment complex at Perimeter Summit (LUP25-00009). Developers are seeking to pivot from a 1980s-era office tower plan—which never materialized—to an 8-story residential building with 5,000 square feet of retail space. City staff noted that with local office vacancy rates at nearly 30%, converting these sites to residential is a key strategy for the city's Comprehensive Plan. While staff recommended approval, they have requested an expanded traffic study and the installation of public art.

The second major item is a city-wide text amendment (TA26-06) that would overhaul building height limits along the Buford Highway corridor. The proposal aims to allow taller buildings "by right," meaning developers could bypass the lengthier Special Land Use Permit process if they stay within new limits. Under the plan, the North Druid Hills node could see buildings up to 25 stories along I-85, while the Briarwood node would allow up to 10 stories along Buford Highway.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
The proposed development at 5005 Summit Blvd and 8008 Summit Blvd is drawing attention from residents in the Perimeter area, specifically those in the Villa Sonoma community. Concerns raised during public participation include traffic increases—estimated at over 100 new trips during peak hours—and the impact on local schools, with the project expected to add approximately 18 students to Montgomery Elementary, Chamblee Middle, and Chamblee High.

Other topics:
The Commission also held a work session dedicated to internal procedures and organizational matters. Of particular note for residents is the city’s implementation of "Wordly," an AI translation service that provides real-time meeting translations in over 25 languages for those attending via Zoom or using personal devices in the chamber.

Meetings in the Next Week
- City Council Regular, March 10 at 6:30 PM: The Council will vote on a $150,000 emergency repair contract for Nancy Creek near Murphey Candler Lake to replace failed stream structures and will consider a settlement agreement to resolve a lawsuit involving the collapsed Pavilion C at Brookhaven Park. Specific locations mentioned include Upper North Fork Nancy Creek (upstream of the dam) and 4001 Peachtree Road.
- Arts and Culture Commission Regular, March 11 at 5:30 PM: No agenda is available yet.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board moved forward with several massive infrastructure and public safety investments this week. Significant allocations were approved for the county’s aging water and sewer systems, including a $21 million contract for gravity sewer line restoration and $19 million for water valve replacements. Commissioners also advanced a $500,000 plan to evaluate potential sites for a new Public Safety Training Facility and approved over $3 million in SPLOST funding for repairs to the East Precinct and Police Training Academy.

Policy discussions also focused on two high-priority community issues: homelessness and industrial development. The Committee of the Whole accepted the implementation plan for the "DeKalb County Day Center" to serve residents experiencing homelessness. Additionally, the Board began reviewing a resolution that would require a comprehensive health and environmental impact study before any new data centers can receive land disturbance permits, reflecting growing concerns about the utility and environmental demands of such facilities.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
Development activity is picking up near the Chamblee border. At the March 3 Planning Commission meeting, a proposal was heard to rezone 3003 Chamblee-Tucker Road and 2936 Mercer University Drive from office-institutional to multi-family residential to allow for a new townhome community. Additionally, the Committee of the Whole moved forward a request regarding a sublease for 2005 Flightway Drive at the DeKalb-Peachtree (PDK) Airport.

Other topics:
The Board moved several items to the consent agenda for final approval, including funding for park improvements at various county sites and a $22.2 million contract extension for the Lifeline Animal Project to manage the county animal shelter through 2027. Commissioners also discussed administrative resolutions regarding ADA digital accessibility and the dissolution of several obsolete county boards.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Board of Commissioners March 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM: The Board is expected to take final action on the $21 million sewer restoration contract, the homelessness "Day Center" plan, and the resolution regarding data center impact studies. Neighborhood-specific items include a vote on a sublease agreement for 2005 Flightway Drive at PDK Airport.

Permits

It’s a busy week for construction and new business activity around Brookhaven and Chamblee. If you’ve noticed more construction crews or utility markings lately, here is the breakdown of the most significant permits that might affect local traffic or noise levels near you:

- 2391 Prestwick Shelby Ln — New commercial apartment construction. This is a major $8.6 million project located in the heart of the district, involving a large-scale residential development with a newly assigned official address.
- N Druid Hills Rd — Residential demolition and rebuild. A $2 million permit has been filed to tear down an existing structure and build a new single-family home; the project is currently seeking sewer capacity and Brookhaven city approval.
- 5525 Peachtree Industrial Blvd — Commercial renovation at an existing car dealership. The work includes the construction of a new portion of the dealership building and associated site improvements.
- Brookhaven Residential Pool Area (Address Pending) — $300,000 renovation of community accessory structures. This project focuses on the ground floor of an existing two-story building near the pool, involving a full interior renovation of the laundry facilities and pool bathrooms.

In addition to these larger projects, there were 86 minor permits filed this week. These include 42 new occupational tax certificates for local businesses, as well as several permits for property maintenance and the removal of hazardous trees.

Road Work
- Ashford Dunwoody Road at Windsor Parkway — Construction Work Program. This project is funded and approved to bring much-needed safety and operational improvements to this busy intersection. While you won't see crews on-site today, contracts are being finalized and construction is imminent.
- SR 141 from the Fulton County Line to Peachtree Road — Under Construction. Active resurfacing and maintenance work is happening now on this stretch of SR 141. Expect to see crews and potential lane closures as they work to improve the roadway surface.
- Peachtree Industrial Boulevard Signal Optimization (SR 141) — Under Construction. Crews are currently on-site working on signal systems between Peachtree and New Peachtree. This is an active project aimed at improving traffic flow through the corridor.
- City of Chamblee Rail Trail Extension — Construction Work Program. Plans are moving forward for the shared-use path extending from Pierce Drive toward Peachtree Boulevard and along Peachtree Industrial. The project is funded and approved, though active construction has not yet started.
- SR 13 from Afton Lane to Shallowford Terrace — Under Construction. This "Phase II" project is actively underway. Crews are on-site adding a raised median and upgrading sidewalks and driveway aprons to make the corridor safer for both drivers and pedestrians.
- John Lewis Elementary School Pedestrian Improvements — Construction Work Program. This safety project for new pedestrian crossings near the school is approved and funded. It is currently in the pipeline with work expected to begin shortly.
- SR 13 from the Fulton County Line to Chamblee Tucker Road — Under Construction. Active resurfacing is happening along this major stretch of Buford Highway. Crews are on-site working to smooth out the roadway, so expect some delays during your commute.
- Shallowford Road Path from New Peachtree to Chamblee Dunwoody — Construction Work Program. This project will add a 10-foot shared-use path and new sidewalks along Shallowford Road. It is currently funded and approved, meaning construction is likely to start soon once contracts are finalized.