Decatur: Directly Elected Mayor Coming to Decatur Plus a $1M Gift for Avondale

Welcome to this week’s update for the Decatur area. We’re highlighting a historic shift to a directly elected mayor and a generous $1 million anonymous gift to Avondale Estates.

Big Stories — Decatur is moving toward a directly elected mayor starting in 2027, and Avondale Estates received a surprise $1 million donation credited to Waffle House. Plus, get the latest on the Lulah Hills retail lineup and World Cup infrastructure preparations.

Local Business Updates — Rising Son closes, while the Amplify Decatur Music Festival reveals its star-studded 10th-anniversary lineup.

Upcoming Events — Lace up your running shoes for the Tour deCatur 5K this Saturday or catch several live shows at Eddie’s Attic. Other highlights include the Spring Fling Market at Harmony Park and a series of author talks at the library.

Local Government Discussion — DeKalb County is moving forward with $40 million in sewer and water upgrades, while Decatur officials have set the new 2026 sanitation fee schedule. Neighbors are also making their voices heard regarding dedicated pickleball courts and upcoming rezonings on North Decatur Road.

Development & Construction Nearby — The US 278 "road diet" is officially under construction to improve pedestrian safety, and plans for a new cycle track on SR 10 are gaining momentum. Recent permits also highlight a $200,000 office renovation in Kensington and new EV charging stations for Avondale Creek.

Let’s dive in.

Decatur will shift to a directly elected mayor in 2027 (March 04, 2026)
The City of Decatur is moving toward a major shift in its local government structure following the passage of new legislation. Starting in 2027, residents will directly elect their mayor rather than having the city commission appoint one from within their own ranks.

Decatur City Commission sets residential sanitation fee (March 03, 2026)
Decatur residents now have clarity on their upcoming utility costs after city commissioners officially established the residential sanitation fees for the year. The move follows several reviews of the city’s budget requirements for maintaining waste and recycling services across the neighborhood.

Avondale Estates receives anonymous $1 million gift ‘thanks to Waffle House’ (March 02, 2026)
In a surprising boost for the local community, Avondale Estates has received a $1 million donation from anonymous donors. The gift was made to benefit the city and its residents, with the donors specifically crediting Waffle House for the success that allowed them to make the contribution.

North DeKalb Mall redevelopment bags fresh slate of retailers (March 04, 2026)
The massive 78-acre redevelopment project known as Lulah Hills is gaining momentum with a new list of confirmed national and local retailers. This project aims to transform the former North DeKalb Mall site into a vibrant mixed-use destination featuring new housing and shopping options for nearby residents.

Decatur gives update on World Cup preparations (March 05, 2026)
City officials are proactively planning for the impact of the upcoming World Cup, detailing how Decatur will manage the expected influx of visitors. The update focused on infrastructure readiness and how local neighborhoods can prepare for the logistical challenges and opportunities the global event will bring to the metro area.

Here is who will be on the ballot in DeKalb County this May (March 08, 2026)
The field is officially set for the upcoming May primary elections following the close of the qualifying period this week. Residents can now review the final list of candidates running for critical local positions, including seats on the DeKalb County Commission and the Board of Education.

Rising Son - closing - The popular Avondale Estates eatery is shutting its doors at the end of the month due to the sale of its building, though the owners hope to eventually relocate the concept. (March 03, 2026)

Amplify Decatur Music Festival - opening - Organizers announced the 10th-anniversary lineup for the downtown music festival, which will feature a four-day run of performances headlined by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings this June. (March 05, 2026)

This Saturday, March 14, the community will gather for the annual Tour deCatur 5K and fun run, which begins and ends at Decatur High School. Residents should expect significant pedestrian activity and localized road closures around the Downtown and West Clairemont areas throughout the morning.

Tuesday, March 10
- $5 Beer + Taco + Trivia Tuesdays in Avondale | Wild Heaven Beer
- BJ Barham of American Aquarium | Eddie's Attic
- The ADHD Field Guide for Adults: Cate Osborn & Erik Gude | Decatur Library
- Legacy Park Beaver Complex Tour | Legacy Park

- XINA MARIE JAZZ | Decatur

Wednesday, March 11
- Robert Olen Butler presents Twice Around a Marriage | Decatur Library
- Buffalo Traffic Jam | Eddie's Attic
- St. Patrick's Day Party - Senior Party | Decatur Library

Thursday, March 12
- Birding Lecture Series: How Birds Work, From Bones to Beak | Woodlands Garden
- Book Launch for YA Author Delali Adjoa's Free Verse Society | Brave and Kind Books
- The Ramona Flowers | Eddie's Attic

Friday, March 13
- Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings | The Chapel on Sycamore
- Paul Cauthen | Eddie's Attic
- St. Paddy's Day Bash - Grades 3-5 | Ebster Gym
- Kristy Lee | Eddie's Attic

Saturday, March 14
- Tour deCatur | Decatur High School
- Spring Fling Market: Handmade Arts and Local Crafts at Harmony Park | Harmony Park
- “Abstraction" A Group Exhibition | Cat Eye Creative Gallery
- Carpool - Cars Tribute Band | Avon Theater
- American Peril: The Violent History of Anti-Asian Racism by Scott Kurashige | Decatur Library
- Nanseera | Eddie's Attic

Sunday, March 15
- An afternoon of Irish tunes w/ Fawney Rig and author Leara Rhodes | Eddie’s Attic
- NEST: Building an Improvisational Practice in a Burning World | Core Dance
- Marty O'Reilly | Eddie's Attic
- Jonathan McReynolds - Closer: One Night Only | Eddie's Attic
- Free Yoga | Wild Heaven Beer

DeKalb County School District

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board of Education held a multi-part session on March 9 that included a Work Session, an Executive Session, and a formal Business Meeting. During these sessions, the Board typically reviews upcoming policy changes, receives departmental reports, and discusses administrative oversight for the district. While the specific details of the March 9 votes were not included in the preliminary summary, these meetings serve as the primary vehicle for the Board to deliberate on district-wide expenditures and long-term strategic planning.

Other topics:
The meeting included a Community Input Session, which is a dedicated time for residents to address the Board directly. This session provides a forum for stakeholders to voice concerns or support regarding school facilities, staffing, and educational programming. Additionally, the Executive Session portion of the meeting was scheduled to handle confidential matters, which usually pertain to personnel issues, litigation, or potential real estate transactions.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board prioritized massive investments in county infrastructure and public services this week. The Committee of the Whole moved forward with over $40 million in water and sewer upgrades, including a $21 million contract for gravity sewer line restoration and $19 million for water valve replacements. Significant SPLOST funding was also greenlit for facility repairs, including $9 million for health facilities and $3 million for police precincts. Additionally, the county is advancing its strategy to address homelessness by moving the "DeKalb County Day Center" implementation plan to the full Board for final approval.

Another major policy shift involves public safety and environmental oversight. The committee approved a $500,000 allocation to evaluate potential sites for a new Public Safety Training Facility. Commissioners also began discussing a resolution that would require comprehensive health and environmental impact studies before any new data centers are permitted in the county, reflecting growing community concern over these large-scale industrial facilities.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
The Planning Commission reviewed a significant proposal for 3820 and 3828 North Decatur Road (Medlock/North Decatur area). Scope Builders, LLC is seeking to rezone the property to build a convenience store with fuel pumps, a drive-through pharmacy, and additional retail space. The Commission provided a recommendation on this case, which is now scheduled for a final legally binding vote by the Board of Commissioners on March 26, 2026.

Other topics:
The Planning Commission recommended approval for several residential developments outside the immediate neighborhood, including senior housing on Poplar Falls Road and cottage homes on South Indian Creek Drive. The Committee of the Whole also reviewed board appointments, including the nomination of Sheldon Fleming to the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs Board, and approved contracts for tire recycling and heavy machinery for the Seminole Landfill.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Board of Commissioners March 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM: The Board will take final action on items moved from committee, including a $22.2 million contract extension for the Lifeline Animal Project to run the county shelter, the $21 million Shoal Creek sewer project, and the resolution regarding environmental studies for data centers. Specific local items include funding for the master planning of park property on Briarcliff Road and repairs to the courthouse parking deck.

City of Decatur

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The City Commission moved forward with the 2026 Sanitation Fee Schedule, recommending an increase in the annual single-family residential fee from $350 to $360 per unit. This adjustment is driven by rising operational costs, specifically a hike in "tipping fees" for recyclables—which rose from $60 to $70 per ton—and a 2.5% merit-based salary increase for city staff. Officials emphasized that the new fees are necessary to preserve existing services like neighborhood cleanup days and electronics recycling.

The Commission also recommended the adoption of the 2026 Tax Billing Ordinance, which sets property tax installment due dates for June 1 and December 21, 2026. Late payments will face an interest rate of 9.75%, with penalties capped at 20% of the total unpaid taxes. Additionally, the Commission held a work session focused on the Teen Leadership Team and approved a resolution confirming recent executive session discussions regarding real estate matters.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
Several specific properties were the focus of Commission action or public comment. Foxtail Coffee was recommended for an alcoholic beverage license at 101 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, moving into the space formerly occupied by Emory. In the MAK Historic District, the city adopted a construction moratorium for 346 West Trinity Place while the Historic Preservation Commission considers the property for a formal historic designation.

In Oakhurst and near Scott Park, residents expressed strong support for dedicated pickleball courts, with 140 neighbors signing a petition to replace the current shared-court model. Finally, a $29,199 maintenance agreement was approved for 420 trees located along Commerce Drive, Ponce de Leon Avenue, North McDonough Street, East Trinity Place, Church Street, East Howard Avenue, and Marshall Street.

Other topics:
Residents wishing to participate in the budget process can provide feedback via "soccer-themed budget trellises" located at Harmony Park, Glenlake Park, and Decatur Square. Note that Zoom access for meetings is currently paused due to audio equipment issues in the meeting room. Upcoming engagement opportunities include a Comprehensive Plan Update kick-off on March 4 at the Decatur Recreation Center and the ongoing National Community Survey, which is open for public participation through March 12.

City Schools of Decatur

Meetings in the Next Week
- Board of Education (Executive Session), March 10, 2026. Following the March 5 community meeting, the Board will meet in a closed session to deliberate on confidential personnel matters, legal consultations, and student disciplinary cases. No official actions or final votes will be taken during this meeting, as those decisions are reserved for the regular public board meeting on March 25.

City of Avondale Estates

Meetings in the Next Week
- Board of Mayor and Commissioners Regular Meeting, March 11, 2026: The Board will hold public hearings and vote on a 50-unit townhome rezoning at 2700 US-278 (Covington Highway) and a stream buffer variance for a deck at 150 S. Avondale Road. Other items include a contract award for the North Woods Nature Trail improvement project and a permit amendment for outdoor seating at 2849 North Avondale Road.
- Board of Mayor and Commissioners Work Session, March 11, 2026: This session focuses on a Memorandum of Understanding for the 20-acre Fenner Dunlop site redevelopment at 2720 US Highway 278, which parallels the residential density discussions at 2700 US-278 in the regular meeting. The Board will also review a brewery permit for 64 North Avondale Road, Phase II of the North Avondale Road streetscape project (Ashton Place to Sams Crossing), and repairs for City Hall at 106 North Avondale Road.

Permits

Here’s a look at the latest permit activity across the Decatur area. We’re seeing some significant investment in local office space and a few high-dollar residential updates hitting the books this week:

- 3345 Kensington Rd, Ste C — Commercial renovation permit ($200,000) to build out office space for a non-profit organization.
- Lawrence St — High-dollar residential permit ($351,273) for the installation of a security system and various data and coax outlets.
- 750 Avondale Creek Dr — Commercial mixed-use permit for the installation of six new EV charging stations.

In addition to these larger projects, there were five minor residential and business permits filed this week for smaller improvements, totaling about $58,625 in estimated value.

Road Work
- SR 10/US 278 from Ashton Place to Sams Crossing — Under Construction. You’ve likely already noticed the activity here, as crews are currently on-site working to reconfigure this five-lane section into a three-lane "road diet." This project is actively happening now, so expect some traffic shifts as they work to make the stretch more pedestrian-friendly.
- SR 10 from S. Candler St (SR 155) to Arcadia Ave/Sam's Crossing — Construction Work Program. This major road transformation—which includes a protected two-way cycle track and a road diet—is officially funded and approved. While construction hasn't started just yet, it is imminent, and we should see contracts finalized shortly.
- Downtown Avondale Multi-Modal Improvements — Construction Work Program. Plans are moving forward for new shared-use paths along Washington, Franklin, and Oak Streets. This project is on the official schedule and funded, meaning construction is likely starting soon, even though crews aren't on the pavement just yet.
- Laredo Drive & N. Clarendon Ave — Construction Work Program. This project focusing on pedestrian and bicyclist "VRU" (Vulnerable Road User) connectivity is approved and funded. We are in the pre-construction phase, so keep an eye out for work to begin on these sidewalk and safety enhancements in the coming months.
- Atlanta Ave @ CSX & Adair Street Realignment — Construction Work Program. The realignment of Adair Street and improvements to the railroad crossing have been greenlit. The project is currently in the program and funded, though active construction has not yet begun.

Service Requests

Keeping up with city maintenance is a full-time job, and Decatur neighbors have been busy flagging issues this week. Here is a look at the latest service requests across our area:

- Street Signage — There were seven reports involving repairs or replacements, primarily concentrated at the intersection of Ansley Street and Greenwood Avenue, as well as locations on South Candler Street, Robin Street, and Midway Road.
- Code Violations — Residents flagged concerns regarding property standards along North Candler Street and Church Street.
- Missed Sanitation Collection — Neighbors on Scott Boulevard and Freeman Street reported missed pickups this week.
- Street and Sidewalk Maintenance — Requests for repairs were filed for the intersection of South Candler Street and Winnona Drive, along with sidewalk maintenance on East College Avenue.
- Traffic Signal Issue — A signal problem was reported on the 100 block of Shadowmoor Drive.
- Parks and Greenspace Maintenance — A maintenance request was logged for a greenspace area near the city center.
- Tree Maintenance — A request was submitted for tree care on the 300 block of Third Avenue.
- City Facilities Maintenance — General maintenance was requested for a facility on East Lake Drive.
- Animal Complaints — A report was made for a deceased animal removal at the intersection of Church Street and Lucerne Street.