Buckhead: Bridge Blues, Bagel Bliss, and a $600k Pothole Plan

Good morning, Buckhead! We've got a mix of "wait, what?" and "finally!" this week, from a brand new Beltline bridge getting a do-over to a $600k war chest to finally fight our neighborhood potholes. Grab a coffee and let's dive into everything happening in our corner of the city.

- Big Stories — We're tracking a Beltline bridge "un-build," faith groups stepping up to help the unhoused, and what a new nonpartisan elections bill means for your ballot.
- Local Business Updates — Say hello to Montreal-style bagels and Afro-Caribbean soul food, but pour one out for a Peachtree Road breakfast staple.
- Upcoming Events — From heavy metal at the Buckhead Theatre to plenty of Easter brunch options, your social calendar is officially booked.
- Local Government Discussion — Local leaders are talking "drone defense" for the World Cup and putting some serious cash toward our bumpy roads.
- Development & Construction Nearby — Between major "tunnel surgery" on 400 and a new mega-development in Lindbergh, the orange cones are moving in.

Let's dive in.

BIG STORIES

Why a new, one-of-a-kind Beltline bridge is being disassembled (March 27, 2026) If you were looking forward to crossing the sweeping new bridge on the Northwest Trail near Peachtree Creek, I have some "good news/bad news" for you. The bad news? Builders are literally tearing it apart less than a year after putting it up. The good news is they're fixing structural issues now so it actually stays standing once we're all walking on it—patience is a virtue, right?

Faith organizations work to address homelessness in Buckhead community (March 26, 2026) Local churches and faith groups are stepping up their game to tackle the homelessness issue right here in our backyard. They're moving beyond temporary fixes and aiming for long-term housing solutions and support systems for those on the streets. It's a heavy lift, but seeing the community rally together like this is exactly why we love it here.

Spring Events Aim to Get Buckhead Moving (March 23, 2026) Dust off those sneakers because a whole slate of spring events is hitting the neighborhood to help us shake off the winter rust. From community walks to outdoor fitness meetups, there's no excuse to stay on the couch this week. Plus, it's a great way to actually meet the people you've only ever seen through their windshields.

Georgia House passes nonpartisan election bill for metro Atlanta (March 27, 2026) Things are getting interesting at the Gold Dome where the House just passed a bill to remove party labels from certain metro Atlanta elections. Supporters say it takes the toxic partisanship out of local governing, while critics think it's just a strategic move to help candidates in shifting districts. Either way, your next ballot might look a little different.

LOCAL BUSINESS UPDATES

Mister Eater - opening - Get your taste buds ready because some vibrant Afro-Caribbean soul food is slated to spice up our neighborhood this spring. (March 27, 2026)

Spread Bagelry - opening - Our breakfast game just got a massive upgrade with the grand opening of this Montreal-style, wood-fired bagel haven. (March 27, 2026)

West Paces Ferry Corner Restaurant - opening - Big things are finally brewing for that storied century-old building on the corner, with new high-profile restaurant plans officially on the table. (March 27, 2026)

The Dillon - sold out - Better look elsewhere if you're house hunting for a view—this posh high-rise has officially sold its very last unit after four years on the market.
(March 26, 2026)

Another Broken Egg Cafe - closing - We're genuinely bummed to see this Peachtree Road breakfast favorite exit the neighborhood for the second time; looks like we'll have to find a new mimosa spot. (March 24, 2026)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Get those Easter bonnets ready and clear your brunch schedule because this week is all about the eggs, the arts, and the start of Spring Break! Between the massive Sandy Springs Artsapalooza and a neighborhood-wide hunt for the best mimosa, Buckhead is officially coming into full bloom.

Monday, March 30
- Karaoke Hot Hits Sing-along After Braves Game! | Park Bench
- Toddler Time | DeKalb County Public Library
- Trivia Night | Johnny's Hideaway

Tuesday, March 31
- Testament at Buckhead Theatre | Buckhead Theatre
- Passover Seder Carryout | Local Three Kitchen & Bar
- GHCA Annual Members' Meeting | Garden Hills Neighborhood Association
- Youth Outside Art TuePM - Christy | CAC Studio South
- Teen Illustration & Comics 101 Tue Evening - Sabine | CAC Studio East

Wednesday, April 01
- Tahir Moore | The Punchline
- Ladies Night | Johnny's Hideaway

Thursday, April 02
- Snow Tha Product: Before I Crashout | Buckhead Theatre
- Networking Over Lunch at Fogo De Chao | Fogo De Chao Buckhead
- Sahib Singh | The Punchline
- Perreologia | Tongue & Groove
- Teen Illustration & Comics 101 Thu Evening - Sabine | CAC Studio East

Friday, April 03
- DaBaby – Be More Grateful Tour | Buckhead Theatre
- Live Jazz Friday's Spring Sessions: Wine & Live Music | BuckheadView
- The Ultimate Cocktail Experience | Louisiana Bistreaux Buckhead
- Youth Exploration of Clay FriPM - Toni | CAC Childrens Studio

Saturday, April 04
- Head to Sandy Springs Artsapalooza Easter Weekend - April 4-5 | Sandy Springs
- Saturday Vinyasa Yoga Classes with Highland Yoga | Buckhead Village
- Dueling Pianos – All Night! | Park Bench

Sunday, April 05
- Easter Brunch at InterContinental Buckhead | InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta
- Easter Sunday at The Southern Gentleman | Buckhead Village District
- Easter Brunch Buffet at Local Three | Local Three Kitchen & Bar
- Four Course Easter Dinner with Chef Scott Conant! | The Americano
- Easter Brunch at Carmel | Carmel
- Easter Brunch at The Betty | The Betty
- Head to Sandy Springs Artsapalooza Easter Weekend - April 4-5 | Sandy Springs
- Event for Calendar 3 | Presence Arena

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISCUSSION

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

Fulton County leaders held a high-stakes strategy session to tackle two of the biggest bureaucratic brain-teasers on the books: the TSPLOST transportation tax and the Service Delivery Strategy (SDS). While it sounds like dry government-speak, this is actually the roadmap for how your tax dollars move through the region. The TSPLOST discussion is the starting point for deciding which "tier one" projects—like long-awaited sidewalk installations and intersection upgrades—actually get the green light in the coming years.

Meanwhile, the Board waded into the Service Delivery Strategy, which is essentially a legal pact to ensure you aren't being "double-dipped" on taxes for things like police, fire, and parks just because you live in both a city and a county. By calling this special session, the board cleared the deck of routine administrative fluff to focus entirely on these heavy-hitting financial pillars that dictate your property tax bill and the quality of local services.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Board of Commissioners, April 01, 2026 at 10:00 AM. Putting last week's infrastructure talk into action, the board will vote on a $600,000 boost for road paving and pothole repairs through 2026. Other major items include nearly $1 million for domestic violence survivors, the qualifying fees for a special election to fill the vacant District 4 seat, updates on jail staffing shortages, and a voter ID education campaign that has been carried over from previous March sessions.

Atlanta City Council

Discussion from the Past Week

The Finance Committee officially kicked off the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget cycle, moving the proposed spending plan and property tax rates toward a final vote. It's the annual "where does the money go?" conversation that eventually hits your mailbox, and so far, it includes a massive $81 million upgrade for the airport's air conditioning systems. Because if there is one thing Atlantans won't tolerate, it's a humid terminal.

Speaking of the airport, the Transportation Committee went even bigger, authorizing a staggering $1.04 billion for the widening of Concourse D. Meanwhile, back on the ground, the city is leaning into its "work hard, play hard" reputation. The Public Safety Committee approved a temporary "Public Entertainment District" downtown for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which essentially means legal street-drinking in designated areas from June 11 to July 19, 2026. To balance out the party vibes, they also accepted a $7.6 million grant for "drone defense" to keep the skies secure during the tournament.

The Community Development Committee advanced new neighborhood plans for Peachtree Park and Edgewood, and officially adopted the Collier Road Multimodal Study into the city's master plan. On the utility side, the city approved a $1.7 million "stopgap" extension for Republic Services to keep the bins moving while they figure out a long-term plan.

Several projects are currently stuck in bureaucratic limbo. A controversial annexation of properties on Woodland Avenue NE is stalled across multiple committees, and a high-profile $3.6 million grant for Peachtree Street improvements in Midtown was held for more debate.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
The Zoning Committee is considering a landmark designation for 3012 Arden Road NW (New Hope AME Church), which would give the historic site permanent protection. In the "not so fast" category, a request from the owner of 2428 Oldfield Road NW to waive floodplain elevation standards was held for further review, as was a proposal to create residential-only parking on Lakeview Avenue NE. On a more permanent note, the Peachtree Park neighborhood plan is one step closer to final adoption, and the city officially green-lit the Collier Road Multimodal Study, which aims to make that notoriously tricky corridor easier to navigate for everyone, not just cars.

Atlanta Public Schools

Discussion from the Past Week

Last week, the students officially took the mic. The APS Student Advisory Council (SAC) gathered at the district headquarters to weigh in on the high-level decisions that usually happen behind closed doors. While the official minutes are currently missing in action, the agenda shows the "junior board" is digging into the heavy-duty topics that eventually dictate how your property tax dollars are spent.

Top of the list was SPLOST. For the uninitiated, that’s the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax—essentially the "penny tax" that pays for shiny new school buildings, HVAC repairs, and the tech upgrades that keep the district running. The council received a briefing on how these capital funds are being allocated, which is the first step before these projects land on the main Board of Education's desk for a final vote.

Meanwhile, the group tackled the "where is everyone?" problem. Dr. C. Windom presented on the district's ongoing battle with chronic absenteeism. It’s a significant issue because when kids don't show up, it doesn't just hurt test scores; it can eventually impact state funding for the district. The students also reviewed the CLIP (Comprehensive Literacy Instructional Plan) survey, which is the roadmap for how APS plans to get reading levels back on track across all neighborhoods.

Also worth noting: The council spent time recapping their "Breakfast with the Board" event. This is where the student reps get face-time with the actual Board of Education members to complain about—or praise—what’s happening in the hallways. If you’re wondering why certain school policies suddenly shift, it’s often because these student advisors are whispering in the ears of the people in charge.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Atlanta Board of Education, April 06, 2026: The full board is scheduled for their regular session to likely tackle the big-picture versions of last week's student discussions, including SPLOST funding updates and literacy initiatives.

DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION NEARBY

Permits
- 3393 Peachtree Rd NE — Out with the sugar, in with the caffeine. The old Candy Scoops space in the Lenox Square food court is being gutted to make way for Molly Tea. Expect some demolition noise near the dining area while they rip out the old walls.
- 579 Garson Dr NE — Huge news for the Lindbergh area: a massive new development is moving forward. We're talking five levels of apartments, a 100-space concrete parking deck, and a "commercial core" for future shops. This is going to be a major construction zone for the foreseeable future.
- Battle View Dr NW — Someone is seriously leveling up their living space. A 1,580-square-foot addition is in the works—that's practically adding a whole second house onto the original footprint!
- 3423 Piedmont Rd NE — More juice for the neighborhood's luxury EVs. They're ripping out old equipment in the parking garage to install eight new high-end "MaxiCharger" charging stations.
- Slaton Dr NW — A townhome in the heart of Buckhead is getting a high-end makeover. New cabinets, countertops, and backsplashes are being installed, so keep an eye out for the designer delivery trucks.
- 3340 & 3414 Peachtree Rd NE — It's corporate musical chairs in the office towers. Both buildings have permits for "second generation" buildouts and interior alterations to get vacant suites ready for new tenants.
- Buckhead (General) — Our local arborists have been busy! There are 32 permits out this week for removing dead or hazardous trees across the neighborhood. If you hear a chainsaw this weekend, that's likely why.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 400 Tunnel Bridge Rehab (Justin C. Martin Building) — If you feel like things are looking a bit "under construction" while driving under the Buckhead "Lid," it's because they are. Crews are performing some serious surgery on the tunnel, including roof slab repairs and fire system upgrades. Just stay alert when you're passing under the building.
- SR 9 / Peachtree Road Resurfacing (SR 3 to North of Paces Ferry Rd) — Our main corridor is finally getting some much-needed TLC. This project aims to fix that bumpy ride from Northside Drive up through the heart of Buckhead. Expect some lane shifts and fresh asphalt as they work to bring those road scores up.
- I-75 Lighting Upgrades (Musket Ridge Drive to I-85) — We're getting a lighting overhaul near the Brookwood Split. GDOT is swapping out the old, dim lights for crisp, energy-efficient LEDs. Most of the work involves poles and conduit, so keep an eye out for shoulder activity during your evening commute south.

Construction Work Program
- SR 9 @ SR 237 & @ Habersham Rd (Piedmont / Roswell / Habersham) — The "Bermuda Triangle" of Buckhead intersections is getting a scoping study for major improvements. Anyone who has sat through three light cycles here knows this one is a long time coming.
- SR 3 from I-75 to the Cobb County Line (Northside Drive) — Resurfacing and maintenance are on the horizon for this stretch of Northside. It's going to be smooth sailing eventually, but keep your coffee in a sealed mug once the orange cones arrive.
- SR 3 @ West Paces Ferry Road (Northside Parkway) — Big relief for the bottleneck under the I-75 overpass. Plans include restriping for dual left-turn lanes onto West Paces, which should help untangle the morning rush.
- Lenox Road (SR 141 Conn) Phase III — The next leg of the Lenox Road multi-use trail is in the works, connecting Piedmont Road over to Phipps Blvd. This is a huge win for walkability between the offices and the malls.
- SR 6, SR 9, SR 14 & SR 70 Bridge Maintenance — GDOT is showing our bridges some love with joint replacements and painting. Expect some "overnight-only" lane closures on Peachtree (SR 9) once this moves to the active phase.
- I-75 NB Ramps @ Moores Mill Road — A new roundabout is coming to the Moores Mill exit. It's designed to keep traffic moving onto the highway without the light-cycle headache, though we'll all have to brush up on our yielding skills.
- SR 400 at the Atlanta Financial Center Tunnel — We're finally getting LED lighting inside the tunnel. It'll be a lot brighter and less "cave-like" when you're zooming under the AFC building.
- SR 400 from I-85 to South of Johnson Ferry Road — Major resurfacing is planned for the Buckhead stretch of 400. This is a heavy-hitter project, so start mentally preparing for those inevitable "expect delays" weekend alerts.
- SR 9/US 19 (Peachtree Road) @ CSX Railroad — The bridge over the train tracks (near the Bennett Street area) is slated for a total replacement. This is a massive project for the south end of Buckhead, so keep this on your radar for your future commute.
- SR 237 (Piedmont Road) @ Main Street — A new mid-block crossing and pedestrian signal are coming to the Lindbergh area. A great safety upgrade for anyone trying to navigate that stretch of Piedmont on foot.

Service Requests
- Potholes — 28 reports across the area, specifically on Habersham Rd NW, Peachtree Rd & Biscayne Dr, Roswell Rd NE, and Brentwood Dr NE. Your suspension is officially on high alert—watch those tires.
- Traffic Signal Repairs — 10 reports of both emergency and non-emergency outages at major intersections, including Lenox Rd at both Phipps Blvd and Paces Ferry Rd, Paces Ferry Rd & Northside Pkwy, and the messy Lindbergh Dr & Adina Dr junction. Patience is a virtue, but working lights are better.
- Overgrown Right-of-Way — Sightline issues and overgrowth reported on E Conway Dr NW, Jett Rd NW, and Haverhill Dr & Herrington Dr. Nature is trying to reclaim the asphalt; time for a trim.
- Litter and Illegal Dumping — Crews are being called to I-85 & Piedmont Rd NE, Fairhaven Cir, and the Buckhead Loop. We're better than this, guys—let's keep the neighborhood clean.
- Sign Repair and Installation — Signage issues being addressed at the intersection of Collier Rd & Peachtree Rd and along Lindbergh Dr NE.
- Graffiti Removal — Cleanup is requested for tagging on Piedmont Rd NE.
- Downed Tree — A tree was reported down on Moores Mill Rd NW. Just a reminder that even the big oaks need a nap sometimes.