Buckhead: Beltline Rail Fight and Lenox Gets a Walkable Makeover

Hello, Buckhead! It was a busy week, and a few stories deserve your full attention. Residents showed up in force to block a proposal that would have traded the Beltline's long-promised light rail for bike lanes, and separately, a Buckhead dental practice is reportedly seeing patients despite a suspended license; both worth reading closely. Stick around for a packed week of events, a promising restaurant opening, and a construction section that signals some real changes coming to Peachtree Road.

- News — The Beltline light rail fight is far from over, a pedestrian path through Lenox's chaos is nearly done, and state regulators are warning patients about a Buckhead dentist who reportedly reopened without a valid license.
- Business — Mozaika Mezze is bringing its acclaimed Mediterranean menu into Alma Cocina's old Terminus space, and Lucian Books and Wine is pivoting to dinner-only with a new monthly book club worth knowing about.
- Events — Triumph and April Wine hit Chastain Park on Tuesday, a rooftop wine social lands Wednesday, and a Woodford Reserve bourbon dinner at Fogo de Chao rounds out a packed Memorial Day week.
- Government — Fulton County had $5.36 million in nonprofit grants and a constitutional fight over nonpartisan elections on its agenda, while City Council committees this week are weighing $15 million in trail funding, a Chastain Park gym correction, and a PATH 400 expansion toward Sandy Springs.
- Construction — Demo permits are clustering along Peachtree Road ahead of what look like full concept changes, a major tech infrastructure buildout is underway on Roswell Road, and SR 9's Peachtree Road bridge over the CSX rail line is slated for full replacement — one to watch closely.

Let's dive in.

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Public Outcry Stalls Proposal to Replace Beltline Light Rail with Bike Lanes
At least 25 residents showed up and spoke out against District 8 Councilmember Mary Norwood's plan to swap the Beltline's long-promised light rail for bike and scooter lanes — and their pushback appears to have hit the brakes on the proposal, at least for now. For neighborhoods like Brookwood and Ardmore, the stakes couldn't be higher: the Northwest Beltline corridor is central to whether Atlanta's transit ambitions ever become reality or quietly get paved over.

Fulton County Commission Chair Race Heads to June Runoff
Longtime Fulton Commission Chairman Robb Pitts will face former Commissioner Mo Ivory in a June 16 runoff after neither pulled a majority in the primary. This isn't just political theater — whoever holds that chair controls property tax assessments, the county's judicial system, and regional health services that touch Buckhead residents directly.

Buckhead's New 'Lenox Boardwalk' Pedestrian Path Nears Completion
The Lenox Boardwalk — a three-phase linear urban park threading through one of Buckhead's most congested commercial corridors — is finally approaching its finish line. For anyone who has ever tried to navigate the chaos around Lenox Square on foot, this project promises something genuinely rare: a safer, more civilized way to get there.

Patients Warned After Buckhead Dentist Reportedly Reopens Despite Suspended License
A Buckhead Village dental practice has reportedly reopened its doors — even though its professional license is suspended — and that should alarm anyone who has visited recently or is thinking of making an appointment. State regulators have issued warnings, and residents are strongly advised to verify credentials before sitting down in any exam chair.

The Farmers of Buckhead: Inside a Quiet Residential Renaissance
Amid the manicured hedges and sweeping driveways of Tuxedo Park and Paces, something unexpected is taking root: chickens, raised beds, and serious urban agriculture on some of Buckhead's most storied estate lots. It's a quiet but meaningful shift in how this corner of Atlanta thinks about land, community, and what it means to be a good neighbor.

BUSINESS

Mozaika Mezze - opening - The beloved Alpharetta Mediterranean spot is bringing its mezze magic south, taking over the sprawling 7,000-square-foot former Alma Cocina space in the Terminus building — a welcome sign of life for a room that's been too quiet for too long.

Lucian Books and Wine - notable change - The acclaimed bookshop-restaurant is pivoting to dinner-only service starting in June and has launched "Bouquinistes," a monthly book club centered on art and cooking — leaning further into the kind of cultured, unhurried evening that made Lucian worth caring about in the first place.

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Tuesday, May 26
- Buckhead CID Monthly Meeting | Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods
- Triumph: The Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded Tour | Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
- Hot Pop & Country Hits | Park Bench

Wednesday, May 27
- Take Flight - Wine, Rooftop, Afterwork Social (Buckhead) | Hyatt Centric Buckhead Atlanta
- Ladies Night | Johnny's Hideaway
- Karaoke Night | Park Bench

Thursday, May 28
- Woodford Reserve Bourbon Dinner | Fogo De Chao Buckhead
- Under Pressure Pop-up at Brush Sushi | Buckhead Village District
- The Buckhead Social FINALE- Yes, This is it (Free Parking,Happy Hr) | Spaceman
- DJ EU: Perreologia at Tongue & Groove | Tongue & Groove
- Country Karaoke Hits & Requests | Park Bench

Friday, May 29
- Summer Styling Soiree at Maeve | Buckhead Village District
- MASON FINE ART ANNOUNCES A GROUP SHOW MAY 29TH | Mason Fine Art and Events
- Sip, and Sync with Pear Healthcare Networking Hour | Phipps Plaza
- Vegas-Style Piano Show | Park Bench

- Buckhead Wine Brats Summertime Patio Party | Little Alley Steak

Saturday, May 30
- Blade Rave | Buckhead Theatre
- Elevated Spirits: Rooftop Mixology Class | St. Julep
- Saturday Vinyasa Yoga Classes with Highland Yoga | Buckhead Village
- Dueling Pianos – All Night! | Park Bench

Sunday, May 31
- Basque in the Sun at Gypsy Kitchen | Buckhead Village District
- Full Moon Party at St. Julep Rooftop | St. Julep
- Georgian Chamber Players | Ahavath Achim Synagogue
- 3 Guys Burgers & Buys – Sunday Nights at L3 | Local Three Kitchen & Bar
- Pop & Country Hits | Park Bench

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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

Atlanta City Council

The Atlanta City Council and its committees moved forward on several infrastructure projects this week, though they officially deferred final decisions on the city's upcoming budget and property tax rates. During the May 18 general session, the Council approved a feasibility study to explore privatizing security at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and authorized the rezoning of land in Northwest Atlanta for new affordable workforce housing. Meanwhile, the Community Development Committee reviewed proposals for a massive shift from industrial to high-density mixed-use development in West Midtown and a safety plan for dedicated motorized vehicle lanes on the Beltline. The Committee on Council voted to dissolve several inactive boards to streamline government operations but chose to hold a resolution that would have required law enforcement presence at all recreation centers used as polling places. For families, the Council also approved a request to reform summer camp fees, ensuring children who qualify for free or reduced lunch can attend city programs at no cost.

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

Note: Only the agenda is available for this meeting — outcomes below reflect what was scheduled, and items may have been tabled, deferred, or withdrawn. The Board's May 20 agenda included several high-profile items, led by a proposed $5.36 million in grants to local nonprofits through the 2026 Community Services Program, which funds social services across the county. Also on the agenda: a resolution asking the Fulton County Sheriff to use existing authority to decline bookings for certain misdemeanor offenses — a notable policy move aimed at easing jail overcrowding while reserving space for serious offenders. Commissioners were also set to vote on authorizing a legal challenge to Georgia House Bill 369, which would require nonpartisan elections for county officers and district attorneys in several metro counties — including Fulton — starting in 2028, a change the Board appears ready to contest on constitutional grounds. Rounding out the major items, the agenda included a resolution to help small businesses in South Downtown benefit from the economic activity surrounding the 2026 World Cup, along with a $160,000 contract for alcohol and drug testing services for county law enforcement.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

Atlanta City Council
- 2745 Ridgewood Rd NW — The council moved forward with development plans for this property as part of the session's broader infrastructure and housing approvals.
- 4475 Roswell Rd NE — This site was included in the meeting's approved development actions aimed at managing growth in the North Buckhead area.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council — City Utilities Committee — Tuesday, May 26 at 10:00 AM
The committee is scheduled to consider adjustments to solid waste service fees, a $20 million transfer for sanitary sewer repairs, and new criteria defining when properties must connect to the public sewer system. A $8.5 million road resurfacing funding transfer and a $822,567 increase for the Greensferry Stream restoration project are also on the agenda.

- Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee — Tuesday, May 26 at 11:00 AM

- Atlanta City Council — Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee — Tuesday, May 26 at 1:00 PM
The committee will take up items carried over from its April 27 meeting, including an updated compensation plan for Atlanta Fire Rescue, a restriction on the use of field drug tests by APD, and a temporary open-container exemption for the FIFA World Cup.

- Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee — Tuesday, May 26 at 1:30 PM
The committee is set to consider a sweeping neighborhood investment ordinance that would extend Tax Allocation Districts and establish a new Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative trust fund, along with a $7.85 million proposal to acquire nearly 30 acres of forested land for permanent preservation. A $4.5 million funding correction for a new gymnasium at Chastain Park is also on the agenda, as are final-reading votes on high-density mixed-use rezonings in West Midtown. The city's proposed acquisition targets 3800 and 3910 Randall Mill Road NW for permanent forest preservation.

- Atlanta City Council — Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee — Tuesday, May 26 at 3:00 PM
The committee is scheduled to consider a $3.5 million contract amendment to equip APD with body cameras and a counter-drone detection system, along with a lease for a new Zone 6 Police Precinct on Hosea Williams Drive. A proposed 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses in the Edgewood Corridor remains before the committee.

- Atlanta City Council — Transportation Committee — Wednesday, May 27 at 10:00 AM
More than $15 million in trail and pedestrian infrastructure funding is up for consideration, including a new $8 million agreement for the PATH Westside Connector and an expanded budget for the PATH 400 Trail from Loridans Drive to the Sandy Springs city limit. The committee will also weigh a $6 million GDOT street resurfacing grant, a $3.6 million Peachtree Street safety improvement project, and a proposal to designate residential-only parking on Lakeview Avenue NE.

- Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee — Wednesday, May 27 at 11:00 AM
A proposed citywide ban on new self-storage facilities within the BeltLine Overlay District is scheduled to be heard, alongside major rezoning proposals along the Chattahoochee Avenue industrial corridor. The committee will also take up new Special Use Permit requirements for medical cannabis dispensaries and an outdoor dining permit application at 4475 Roswell Road NE. A proposal to landmark 3012 Arden Road NW (New Hope AME Church) are also on the agenda.

- Atlanta City Council — Finance/Executive Committee — Wednesday, May 27 at 1:30 PM
The committee is scheduled to consider the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and property tax rates, a proposal to temporarily lift outdoor event restrictions Downtown for the FIFA World Cup (June 11–July 19), and authorization for a new electronic payment surcharge on city bills. A utility easement at 2970 Howell Mill Road NW (Fire Station 26) is on the agenda as a necessary step to advance the Howell Mill Road Complete Street project.

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Permits

- 3280 Peachtree Rd NE — Interior and exterior demolition filed for an existing restaurant space. A secondary permit for interior buildout is still required, which suggests a full concept change is coming rather than a simple refresh.
- 3455 Peachtree Rd NE — Demo package filed to prep for new office space. Walls coming down before new ones go up.
- 3445 Peachtree Rd NE — Selective demolition plus new partitions, decorative finishes, and ceiling alterations permitted. Office or retail fitout in progress along the Peachtree corridor.
- 3715 Northside Pkwy NW — Two permits filed here: a first-floor corridor renovation in Building 300, plus fire sprinkler additions and relocations. A coordinated buildout is clearly moving forward at this complex.
- 4301 Northside Pkwy NW — Fire sprinkler heads being added and relocated, typically a sign that interior space is being reconfigured nearby.
- 3525 Piedmont Rd NE — Fire sprinkler system updates permitted, consistent with an interior renovation in progress.
- 3340 Peachtree Rd NE — Sprinkler work replacing upright heads with pendant sprinklers for a new ceiling area. Small but tells you the ceiling is changing.
- 8 Peachtree Battle Ave NW — Security vestibule upgrade permitted, with new power for door operators. Building access controls getting an overhaul.
- 4241 Roswell Rd NE — Large-scale network infrastructure installation pending: 130 Ethernet cables, racks, and equipment. A significant tech buildout for whatever is moving in or expanding here.

On the residential side, the area logged 27 arborist permits for dead, dying, or hazardous trees — a notable volume that likely reflects storm follow-up — alongside the usual mix of electrical, HVAC, and addition work across 127 homes.

Road Work

Under Construction
- I-75 Lighting Upgrade (Fulton County) — Crews are replacing outdated high-pressure sodium lighting with LED fixtures along I-75 between Musket Ridge Drive and I-85, roughly 1.7 miles from Buckhead. Pole and conduit replacements may also be part of the scope. Expect intermittent lane activity, particularly at night.
- SR 400 Tunnel Bridge Rehabilitation at the Justin C. Martin Building (Fulton County) — Active rehabilitation work is underway on the SR 400 tunnel, about 1.9 miles out. The project covers spall repair on transfer beams and roof slabs, fire system repairs, and additional structural upgrades. If you use SR 400 regularly, keep an eye on lane restrictions as this work progresses.
- SR 9 Resurfacing from SR 3 to North of Paces Ferry Road (Fulton County) — Paces Ferry Road-area commuters, take note: SR 9 is being resurfaced to address a low pavement condition score along this corridor, about 2.8 miles from Buckhead. Expect paving crews and potential lane closures during active work windows.

Pre-Construction
- SR 9/SR 237/Habersham Road Intersection Study (Fulton County) — A scoping study is underway for operational improvements at three interconnected intersections: Piedmont Road at Roswell Road, Piedmont Road at Habersham Road, and Roswell Road at Habersham Road. No construction yet, but this corridor is being sized up for changes — worth watching if you navigate this triangle regularly.
- SR 141 Connector Streetscape & Trail, Lenox Road — Phase III (Fulton County) — Streetscape improvements and a shared-use path network are planned along Lenox Road between Piedmont Road and Phipps Boulevard, connecting commercial, office, and residential destinations. Pedestrian and cyclist access through this stretch will improve once work gets underway.
- I-75 NB Ramps at Moores Mill Road — Roundabout (Fulton County) — A two-lane roundabout is planned at the intersection of Moores Mill Road and the I-75 northbound ramps. The design includes separated movements along Moores Mill Road eastbound. Pre-construction now, but this will be a notable change for anyone using this interchange.
- SR 3 at West Paces Ferry Road — Lane Restriping (Fulton County) — Restriping is planned on SR 3/Northside Parkway to create dual left-turn lanes in both directions, plus additional eastbound through lanes under the I-75 overpass. A low-lift project with real day-to-day impact for drivers on this stretch.
- SR 400 Atlanta Financial Center Tunnel — LED Lighting Upgrade (Fulton County) — Lighting replacement is planned inside the tunnel on SR 400. Straightforward maintenance, but expect lane restrictions when work begins.
- SR 400 Resurfacing, I-85 to south of Johnson Ferry Road (Fulton County) — Pavement resurfacing is queued up for this SR 400 stretch. Still in the pre-construction phase, but when it moves, expect lane closures along a heavily traveled commuter corridor.
- SR 9/US 19 Bridge Replacement over CSX Railroad (Fulton County) — The existing bridge carrying Peachtree Road over the CSX rail line is slated for full replacement. The current structure carries three inside lanes and two outside lanes — reconstruction of this kind typically means significant, extended traffic disruption. Keep an eye on this one.
- Bridge Preventative Maintenance — SR 6, SR 9, SR 14 & SR 70 (Fulton County) — Deck preservation, joint replacement, spall repairs, and steel painting are planned across four locations on these state routes. Targeted maintenance work, but bridge jobs routinely involve overnight or weekend closures.

Utility Work

Atlanta Watershed
- Lane Closure on Moores Mill Road for Storm Drain Improvements — Lane closure in effect on Moores Mill Road between Warren Road NW and Ridge Drive NW for an ongoing storm drain improvements project. Plan for delays if traveling through that corridor.

Service Requests

Buckhead residents filed 18 service requests this past week, covering a range of road and infrastructure concerns.

- Potholes — Ten reports came in across the area, including Colonial Homes Cir NW, Piedmont Rd NE, Chateau Dr NW, and Palisades Rd at Northwood Ave, among others. Most are in progress.
- Traffic Signal Issues — Four intersections flagged for non-emergency signal repairs: Peachtree St at Deering Rd, Lindbergh Way at Lindbergh Dr, Lindbergh Dr NE at the MARTA driveway, and Lenox Rd at Phipps Blvd. An emergency signal repair at Mt. Paran Rd NW and Northside Pkwy has already been resolved.
- Sign Repair — A sign at Oak Valley Rd and Peachtree Rd needs repair, replacement, or installation; work is underway.
- Downed Tree — A tree was reported down at Pine Tree Dr and Brentwood Dr; that one's been closed out.
- Litter Removal — A right-of-way cleanup request on Roswell Rd NE has been resolved.