Buckhead: Mo Ivory Wins Fulton County and Equinox Is Coming to Buckhead

Hey Buckhead! Mo Ivory's upset victory over longtime Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts is the kind of result that reshapes local politics in ways we'll be tracking for months. Meanwhile, closer to home, Equinox just picked Buckhead for its first Georgia location, and that's only the start of what's in this week's edition. Read on.

- News — Mo Ivory pulls off a stunning runoff upset, the Buckhead Coalition backs AI-powered surveillance, Atlanta mandates construction walkways, and a paperwork error leaves Atlanta schools short on capital funds.
- Business — Equinox is bringing its first Georgia location to Buckhead Village
- Events — Todd Rundgren hits Buckhead Theatre Monday, Paula Poundstone closes out the week on Friday, and there's fresh pasta, mahjong, and a bar crawl in between.
- Government — The city council voted on the FY2027 budget and property tax rates, a contested 14-acre rezoning split city planners against the local NPU, and a packed week of committee meetings ahead includes a Peachtree Circle historic district proposal and a new fire station near Lindbergh.
- Construction — Six suite buildouts filed along the Buckhead corridor, GDOT is upgrading I-75 lighting, Peachtree Road is actively being resurfaced, and a future bridge replacement over CSX rail is one to keep on your radar.

Let's dive in.

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NEWS

Mo Ivory Unseats Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts
Mo Ivory pulled off one of the bigger upsets in recent local political memory, defeating incumbent Robb Pitts (who has held the Commission Chair seat for years) in the Democratic primary runoff. The transition in leadership could ripple across everything Fulton County touches: property tax policy, budget priorities, and the day-to-day services residents rely on.

ConnectAtlanta AI Surveillance Integration Supported by Buckhead Coalition
The Buckhead Coalition has thrown its weight behind the Atlanta Police Department's ConnectAtlanta initiative, which uses AI-powered surveillance to monitor and deter crime across the city. For a neighborhood that has long made public safety its loudest issue, this is a development worth watching closely, both for what it delivers and the civil liberties questions it inevitably raises.

Atlanta to require walkways for construction projects
Anyone who has been forced into traffic by a construction crew that simply coned off a sidewalk and called it a day will appreciate this one. The Atlanta City Council is moving to mandate safe, temporary pedestrian walkways around active construction sites — a common-sense rule that matters especially in Buckhead, where development projects seem to be a permanent fixture of the streetscape.

Atlanta, Decatur schools owed millions in sales tax funds after paperwork error
A bureaucratic paperwork error has left Atlanta Public Schools and City Schools of Decatur short on E-SPLOST funds owed by DeKalb Schools. This is money specifically earmarked for school construction, renovations, and capital improvements. It's the kind of administrative stumble that sounds mundane until you consider what's at stake: delayed projects, stretched budgets, and schools left waiting on dollars that should already be theirs.

BUSINESS

Equinox - opening - The luxury fitness brand is planting its first Georgia flag in Buckhead Village, bringing its signature high-end gym experience to a neighborhood that clearly has the motivation (and membership fees) to support it.

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Monday, June 22
- ANN HITE Author Talk: I Am a Georgia Girl | Northside Library
- Todd Rundgren: DAMNED IF I DO TOUR | Buckhead Theatre
- Trivia Night | Johnny's Hideaway

Tuesday, June 23
- Party with the Past: Midtown Bar Crawl | Atlanta History Center
- Buckhead CID - Monthly Meeting | Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods
- Mahjong & Mingle at Shops Around Lenox | Shops Around Lenox

Wednesday, June 24
- Lenox Square and YMCA of Metro Atlanta Host Soccer Ball Drive | Lenox Square

Thursday, June 25
- Veterans Legislative Breakfast | Buckhead Club
- Pilates at Margaret Mitchell House | Atlanta History Center
- Jesse Wegman in conversation with Claire Haley | Atlanta History Center
- Under Pressure Pop-up at Brush Sushi | Buckhead Village District

Friday, June 26
- Movie at Margaret Mitchell House | Atlanta History Center
- Paula Poundstone | Buckhead Theatre
- TRULY CONTENT CREATORS WEEKEND | Hyatt Centric Buckhead
- Summer Fridays | Buckhead Village District

Saturday, June 27
- GACA Bingo Bonanza | Peachtree Presbyterian Church
- Preserving a City Block Midtown Tour | Atlanta History Center
- Make Your Own Fresh Pasta Class at Bella Cucina | Buckhead Village District
- Saturday Vinyasa Yoga Classes with Highland Yoga | Buckhead Village
- idobi Radio Summer School w/ Honey Revenge & more | Buckhead Theatre
- The Elizabeth B. Stephens International Organ Competition | Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

Sunday, June 28
- Basque in the Sun at Gypsy Kitchen | Buckhead Village District
- 3 Guys Burgers & Buys – Sunday Nights at L3 | Local Three Kitchen & Bar

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 full Atlanta City Council met on June 15 and, with minutes now posted, confirmed several significant actions. Among the most consequential items on the agenda was the proposed adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 city budget alongside new property tax rates covering general operations, debt service, parks, education, and special districts like the Atlanta Beltline — decisions that directly affect what residents pay and what services they receive. The council also took up a proposed $7.85 million acquisition of nearly 30 acres of forested land to be permanently protected as greenspace, funded primarily through the Tree Trust Fund and impact fees, a move that signals continued city investment in tree canopy preservation. A proposed ordinance to require mandatory, ADA-compliant pedestrian detour routes whenever sidewalks are blocked by construction was also on the table, addressing a persistent safety frustration for walkers across the city. Separately, the council considered a major mixed-use rezoning request for nearly 14 acres — one where city planning staff and the Zoning Review Board recommended denial while the local Neighborhood Planning Unit recommended approval, setting up a notable split of opinion. A new ordinance to correct funding sources for the city's previously promised $4.5 million contribution to a new Chastain Park gymnasium was also among the items considered.

Atlanta City Council — Committee on Council

Also meeting on June 15, the Committee on Council — whose minutes are now posted — took up a resolution requesting that Georgia POST-certified law enforcement officers be stationed at every city recreation center used as a polling place during major state and federal elections, a security proposal affecting early voting, election day, and runoff periods citywide. The committee also considered a proposed ordinance from Councilmember Byron D. Amos that would change how residents sign up for and deliver public comments at council meetings, which could meaningfully alter how neighbors engage with city leadership going forward. Several civic appointments were on the agenda, including nominees to the BeltLine Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee, the Atlanta Citizen Review Board (representing NPUs S through Z), and the city's Housing Commission. A separate resolution requesting the City Attorney hire outside counsel to independently investigate contracts and payments tied to former Municipal Clerk Foris Webb, III remained in committee, keeping that matter in play.

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners held its second regular meeting of June on June 17, and because minutes have not yet been posted, the items below reflect what was scheduled — outcomes may differ if any items were tabled, deferred, or withdrawn. Affordable housing was a central theme: the board was set to consider grants to convert 66 existing market-rate Downtown Atlanta apartments into affordable units, fund a new 20-unit affordable development in the English Avenue neighborhood, and support site preparation for the future Andrew Young International Institute for Peace and Reconciliation in Vine City. The board also had on its agenda funding to restore and preserve two historic properties tied to Atlanta's Civil Rights history — the George Towns and Grace Towns Hamilton Homes — a preservation effort with cultural significance well beyond the properties themselves. On the technology side, commissioners were scheduled to vote on more than $5.2 million in contracts for cybersecurity firewall upgrades and countywide telecommunications services with AT&T and Comcast, infrastructure investments that underpin county operations residents depend on daily. Notably, a proposed $8.96 million contract for temporary election staffing was removed from the agenda before a vote could be held.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

Atlanta City Council
- 2745 Ridgewood Road NW — A request for a Metropolitan River Protection Act certificate to construct a new single-family dwelling on the 1.88-acre property was on the council's agenda.
- 3800 & 3910 Randall Mill Road NW — The council considered an ordinance authorizing the city to purchase nearly 30 acres of forested land at these two addresses for approximately $7.85 million, to be preserved as permanent greenspace funded by the Tree Trust Fund and impact fees.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee — Monday, June 22, 2026 at 11:00 AM
A packed agenda is set to include a city-wide 180-day moratorium on new self-storage facilities, the rezoning of two large industrial sites along the Beltline into mixed-use apartment communities, and a proposed new Historic District overlay for Peachtree Circle. A rezoning proposal at 1950 West Paces Ferry Road and 2518 West Wesley Road NW — an 11-acre wooded estate tract — is scheduled for a second reading to allow a planned residential subdivision, despite opposition from NPU A; a driveway width waiver for a property on Foxcroft Road is also on the agenda.

- Atlanta City Council — Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee — Monday, June 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM
The committee will consider a proposed $3.39 million land purchase from MARTA to build a new EMS and fire station within the Lindbergh City Center development, and a new ordinance that would allow forensic audits of alcohol-licensed businesses under police investigation.

- Atlanta Public Schools — Board of Education — Tuesday, June 23, 2026
The board is scheduled to take up a draft Electronic Payments and Funds Transfer Policy, along with discussions on student technology use and a policy governing the repurposing of underutilized school district facilities.

- Atlanta City Council — City Utilities Committee — Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM
A $2 million transfer to fund the Chastain Park Golf Course Stream Stabilization and Restoration Project is on the agenda, alongside proposed changes to solid waste fees and backyard trash collection eligibility. More than $36 million in water and sewer system repair contracts are also scheduled for votes. A floodplain elevation waiver for a single-family property at 2428 Oldfield Road NW is set to be heard.

- Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee — Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 1:30 PM
The committee is set to consider an ordinance that would codify free admission at all city pools and indoor natatoria, and a proposal to authorize a 20-year agreement with L.E.A.D., Inc. to build and operate a new community center near Center Hill Park. A $250,000 transit-oriented redevelopment study for the Ashby MARTA Station area is also on the agenda.

- Atlanta City Council — Transportation Committee — Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM
The permanent closure of a block of Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE near Grady Hospital — to be converted into a pedestrian plaza — is scheduled for consideration, along with a resolution requesting the Mayor to renegotiate the "More MARTA" transit agreement. New consumer protections for private parking lots and a $3.6 million state grant for Peachtree Street improvements are also on the agenda.

- Atlanta City Council — Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 12:30 PM
- Atlanta City Council — Finance/Executive Committee — Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 1:30 PM
The committee is scheduled to consider a resolution requesting Fulton County commit $200 million toward expanding healthcare infrastructure on Atlanta's Southside and Westside, and an ordinance to set the city's FY2027 property tax rates. A resolution requesting a written explanation for why a stalled construction site at 1155 Peachtree Street is receiving a property tax break is also on the agenda.

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Permits

- 3840 Roswell Rd NE — Commercial renovation underway, with an existing canopy coming down as part of a broader building overhaul. Expect some visible exterior changes along that stretch of Roswell.
- 3348 Peachtree Rd NE — A vacant suite is getting a full second-generation buildout for a new tenant — demo, new partitions, the works. Someone's moving in; we just don't know who yet.
- 3050 Peachtree Rd NW — Full suite gut job filed: walls, ceilings, mechanical, electrical, plumbing — all out. A clean-slate renovation that suggests a significant tenant change is coming.
- 3475 Piedmont Rd NE — Interior renovation permitted with new walls, lighting, millwork, and finishes. Minor demo involved, but the bones stay. A polish job, not a reinvention.
- 3500 Lenox Rd NE — Lobby refresh at what appears to be an office building: over 100 light fixtures being swapped out or added. Small upgrade, but signals someone's investing in the space.
- 1424 W Paces Ferry Rd NW — Commercial kitchen getting a refresh; an old dishwasher is being disconnected and the area renovated. Likely a restaurant or club facility making upgrades behind the scenes.
- 3425 Lenox Rd NE — Illuminated wall and canopy signs getting replaced. A rebranding or new tenant reveal is probably not far behind.

Beyond the highlights, the broader permit activity tells a familiar Buckhead story: 35 arborist permits filed (the most of any category), a steady stream of HVAC replacements, and 16 residential addition permits — homeowners quietly expanding while the commercial corridor keeps churning.

Road Work

Under Construction
- I-75 Lighting Upgrade (Fulton County) — GDOT is swapping out aging high-pressure sodium lights for LED fixtures along I-75 between Musket Ridge Drive and I-85, about 1.7 miles from Buckhead. Expect intermittent nighttime lane activity while crews work through the corridor.
- SR 400 Tunnel Bridge Rehab at the Justin C. Martin Building (Fulton County) — Rehabilitation work is underway on the SR 400 tunnel structure, located about 1.9 miles out. Work includes spall repairs to transfer beams and roof slabs, fire system repairs, and general upgrades. If you use SR 400 regularly, watch for lane shifts or closures near this section.
- SR 9 Resurfacing from SR 3 to North of Paces Ferry Road (Fulton County) — Paving crews are actively resurfacing SR 9 (Peachtree Road) through this stretch, targeting a low pavement condition score. At 2.8 miles out, this one hits close to home for anyone commuting along the Peachtree corridor. Expect lane restrictions during work hours and some rough transition zones near active paving.

Pre-Construction
- SR 9 / SR 237 Intersection Study (Piedmont Rd, Roswell Rd & Habersham Rd) — A scoping study is underway for improvements at three interlocking intersections: Piedmont at Roswell, Piedmont at Habersham, and Roswell at Habersham. If you navigate this triangle regularly, changes are coming — though the exact shape of them is still being defined.
- SR 3 Resurfacing (I-75 to Cobb County Line) — Northside Parkway/SR 3 is slated for resurfacing from I-75 north to the Cobb County line. Expect lane closures and some rougher-than-usual stretches once work gets underway.
- SR 3 @ West Paces Ferry Road — Restriping is planned at the Northside Parkway / West Paces Ferry intersection to add dual left-turn lanes in both directions on SR 3, plus improved lane configuration under the I-75 overpass. A relatively low-disruption fix that should meaningfully ease a notoriously awkward interchange.
- Lenox Road Shared-Use Path (SR 141 Connector, Phase III) — A streetscape and shared-use path network is planned along Lenox Road from Piedmont Road to Phipps Boulevard, connecting residential, office, and commercial destinations. Good news for pedestrians and cyclists in the Lenox area.
- Bridge Preventative Maintenance (SR 6, SR 9, SR 14 & SR 70) — Maintenance work across four bridge locations covering deck preservation, joint replacement, steel painting, spall repairs, and related upkeep. Expect intermittent lane restrictions at affected structures.
- I-75 Northbound Ramps @ Moores Mill Road — Roundabout — A two-lane roundabout is planned at the I-75 NB on/off ramps and Moores Mill Road. This one will reshape how you get on and off the highway at a busy spot just west of Buckhead — worth watching as it moves toward construction.
- SR 400 @ Atlanta Financial Center Tunnel — LED Lighting Upgrade — Lighting inside the SR 400 tunnel near the Atlanta Financial Center is being upgraded to LED. Minimal travel disruption expected, but plan for potential overnight lane restrictions during installation.
- SR 400 Resurfacing (I-85 to South of Johnson Ferry Road) — A resurfacing run along SR 400 is in the pipeline. When it kicks off, expect the usual nighttime lane closures along one of Buckhead's most-traveled corridors.
- SR 9 / US 19 Bridge Replacement over CSX Railroad — The existing Peachtree Road bridge 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 means significant disruption to one of Buckhead's main spines when work begins. Keep this one on your radar.
- SR 237 @ Main Street — Mid-Block Crossing & Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon — A new mid-block crossing and pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) signal is planned on Roswell Road at Main Street, giving pedestrians a safer, signalized crossing point along a busy stretch.

Service Requests

Buckhead residents filed 33 service requests this week, with traffic infrastructure and road conditions dominating the list.

- Traffic Signal Issues — Ten non-emergency repair requests were filed at Old Ivy Rd & Wieuca Rd NE (five reports alone at that intersection), Piedmont Rd & Paces Ferry Rd, Roswell Rd & Wieuca Rd, Wieuca Rd & Ivy Rd, and Northside Pkwy NW, among others. Four emergency-level signal repairs were also reported at Peachtree Rd & Piedmont Rd (two reports), Howell Mill Rd & Wesley Rd, and 1604–1618 Moores Mill Rd NW.
- Potholes — Ten reports spread across Tuxedo Rd NW (two), E Paces Ferry Rd NE, Grandview Ave & E Paces Ferry Rd NE, Peachtree Rd NW, Mt. Paran Rd, and four additional locations.
- Overgrowth & Visibility — Six right-of-way maintenance requests for overgrowth were filed at Wesley Rd NE, Habersham Rd & Piedmont Rd, Pharr Rd NE, Sidney Marcus Blvd & Buford Hwy, and Lindbergh Dr & Adina Dr, with one additional location.
- Downed Trees — Three trees reported down at Lakemoore Dr NE, Paces Forest Dr NW, and Saint Annes Ln NW.