Decatur: Downtown Square, WatchFest, and Data Centers

Hey Decatur! Are you ready for the World Cup?? The long-awaited Downtown Square transformation is getting its ribbon-cutting just in time for a 34-day World Cup WatchFest, with Big Boi headlining Thursday night. And while the party gets going outside, there's serious business happening inside county chambers, from a $325 million water and sewer contract to a brewing fight over data centers in residential neighborhoods.

- News — The Downtown Square overhaul is done and WatchFest is coming, DeKalb schools earn a clean sweep on climate ratings, and county commissioners are pushing to double the buffer between data centers and homes.
- Events — WatchFest kicks off Thursday with Big Boi on the Square, plus a beaver complex tour at Legacy Park, live music every night at Eddie's Attic, and a packed week of author events, trivia, and World Cup watch parties.
- Government — Decatur's budget hearings are open for public input this week, City Schools approved the FY2027 budget and an E-SPLOST referendum, and DeKalb's Committee of the Whole advanced a staggering $325.5 million water and sewer repair contract.
- Construction — A $30.9 million apartment complex is clearing its final safety phase, a food-service buildout appears underway at 707 E. College Ave., and a protected cycle track is coming to the East Ponce de Leon corridor.

Let's dive in.

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NEWS

Decatur set to celebrate completion of Downtown Square transformation project in time for World Cup WatchFest
The ribbon is finally getting cut on Decatur's Downtown Square overhaul, and the timing couldn't be better, with a 34-day World Cup WatchFest on the horizon. The revamped space brings upgraded public amenities and improved safety features that residents from Oakhurst to the MAK Historic District will be using all summer long.

DeKalb Schools prepares vote on sales tax, bonding authority
DeKalb County School District is moving toward a vote on extending its sales tax and expanding its bonding authority — decisions that will shape school infrastructure for years to come. For families in Brookhaven and Chamblee, the stakes are real: this is where capital improvement funding comes from.

Some DeKalb leaders want to double distance required between data centers, homes
If you've ever lived next to a facility that hums at full volume around the clock, you understand exactly why some DeKalb commissioners are pushing to double the required buffer between data centers and residential neighborhoods. The proposed zoning change is a direct response to concerns about noise and environmental impact, and it signals that the county is paying closer attention to what gets built next to people's homes.

Decatur schools receive four stars or more on Climate rating
Every single City Schools of Decatur campus earned four stars or higher on the state's latest school climate ratings, a clean sweep that speaks to more than just good test scores. Safety, culture, and student engagement all factor into this measure, and families across College Heights, Winnona Park, and Oakhurst have reason to feel good about what's happening in their schools.

DeKalb DA files lawsuit against nonpartisan elections law
DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston is taking the state to court over a new law that would require nonpartisan local elections in several metro counties. It's a fight over more than ballot formatting as the outcome could fundamentally change how DeKalb voters choose their local representatives going forward.

EVENTS | Presented by

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Decatur WatchFest 26 takes over the Downtown Decatur Square starting Thursday, bringing with it a headlining set from hometown hero Big Boi — yes, that Big Boi. If you're heading anywhere near the Square this week, plan accordingly and maybe just plan to stay.

Monday, June 8
- John Patrick Green in conversation with Gregg Schigiel | Decatur Library
- Monday FUNday - Half-Priced Cocktails | Wild Heaven Beer
- Eddie's Attic Songwriters Open Mic Night | Eddie’s Attic

Tuesday, June 9
- Tony Lucca | Eddie’s Attic
- Exclusive Release Party - Harvest Season | Kiss and Tale Romance Bookshop
- Legacy Park Beaver Complex Tour | Legacy Park
- $5 Beer Trivia Tuesdays in Avondale | Wild Heaven Beer
- Folk Magic - Tim McNary, Logan Pilcher, & Tyler Edwards | Eddie's Attic

Wednesday, June 10
- Josh Rouse | Eddie’s Attic
- This Thug's Life: Maurice "Mopreme" Shakur | Decatur Library
- Volunteer Project | Woodlands Garden

Thursday, June 11
- Decatur WatchFest 26 | Downtown Decatur Square
- Big Boi | Downtown Decatur Square
- Sustainable Landscaping Volunteer Day | Legacy Park
- Singing Workshop in the Pavilion – June | Woodlands Garden
- Pub Theology Night | First Baptist Church of Decatur
- Ice Creamology! | First Baptist Church of Decatur
- Preston Cooper | Eddie's Attic

Friday, June 12
- World Cup Kick Off | Wild Heaven Beer
- HMR + World Cup at The Marlay House! | The Marlay House
- Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys with The Blacktop Rockets | Wild Heaven Beer
- Friday Night Live Patio Performance – Ansley Stewart | The Reading Room
- A Terrible Strength: Kemi Doll with Myleik Teele | Decatur Library

Saturday, June 13
- Thao | Eddie's Attic
- The Pink Stones with Dusky Waters and Teena May | Wild Heaven Beer

Sunday, June 14
- OurSong presents "When Dreams Take Wing" | First Baptist Church of Decatur
- Watercolor Class | Woodlands Garden
- BURLESQUE CABARET SHOW (21+) | Roaring Social
- Free Yoga | Wild Heaven Beer
- Jesse Ruben "Belong" Album Release Show | Eddie's Attic

GOVERNMENT

Note: our information comes from posted meetings documents (agendas and minutes when available) — latest source document hyperlinked to each meeting.

Past Week Roundup

Decatur City Commission

The Decatur City Commission held a busy stretch of meetings this week, with budget and infrastructure dominating the agenda. On June 1, the commission held a public hearing on the proposed 2026-2027 budget and 2026 millage rates — the key moment when residents can formally weigh in on how their property tax dollars will be spent — and voted to accept the dedication of newly built roads, sidewalks, and storm infrastructure at the Village at Legacy housing development from the Decatur Housing Authority, meaning local taxpayers will now be responsible for long-term upkeep of those improvements. A pre-meeting work session also covered the city's asset management system, the tool staff uses to track and schedule maintenance for roads, pipes, and public buildings. On June 3, commissioners held a dedicated budget work session to take a closer look at proposed FY 2026-2027 spending plans alongside mid-year adjustments to the current FY 2025-2026 budget; because this was a work session, no final votes were scheduled, but it's a key window into the city's spending priorities ahead of formal adoption. The Better Together Advisory Board also met on June 2 to work on its editorial calendar, hear workgroup updates, and follow up on its recent board retreat — though no minutes are posted yet, so it's unclear what, if anything, was finalized.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Committee of the Whole

DeKalb County's Committee of the Whole advanced a sweeping slate of infrastructure and budget items to the full Board of Commissioners this week, led by a staggering $325.5 million multi-year emergency contract for countywide water and sewer repairs, spread across six vendors — a scale that reflects just how significant the county's aging underground infrastructure challenge has become. The committee also forwarded a $20.6 million contract for construction management of the next phases of the Snapfinger Wastewater Treatment Facility expansion, and a $29.8 million payment to the City of Atlanta for joint capital improvement projects covering work stretching back to 2021. On the land use front, commissioners moved to schedule a public hearing on whether to extend the county's existing moratorium on new data centers — giving residents a formal opportunity to weigh in on a hotly debated facility type that has drawn concerns about power consumption, noise, and neighborhood compatibility. A proposed ordinance amendment to create a line-of-duty death benefit for county first responders was also advanced to a public hearing, along with district-level funding items including $50,000 for mobile veterinary services and roughly $10,000 for kudzu removal and community naturalist walks.

City Schools of Decatur Board of Education

The City Schools of Decatur Board of Education had one of its most consequential meetings of the year on June 2, approving the FY2027 school budget — the central financial decision governing school operations and local education tax allocations for the coming year. The board also voted on a resolution to place the E-SPLOST VII referendum before voters, a measure that would fund school capital improvements and technology upgrades through a 1% sales tax without raising property taxes. In a separate work session earlier that day, the board reviewed — but did not vote on — plans for a new Early Childhood Learning Center and a Decatur High School expansion to be financed partly through New Markets Tax Credits, as well as proposed revisions to school admissions policy and rules governing public participation at board meetings. A pre-work session also took up attendance zone policy and school law enforcement policy for preliminary discussion, with no decisions made. Across all three sessions, the board approved a range of vendor contracts covering technology infrastructure, classroom materials, and student dining, and adopted policy updates on emergency closings, wellness programming, and facility naming.

DeKalb County School District Board of Education

The DeKalb County School District Board of Education held two called meetings on June 1, both focused on the financial decisions that will most directly affect local families and property owners in the coming year. The first was a presentation on the E-SPLOST VII resolution — the countywide education sales tax that funds school construction, technology, and facility upgrades — though no vote was recorded at that session. The second meeting served as the district's first budget presentation and first millage rate hearing, both paired with community input sessions giving residents a chance to speak before any numbers are finalized; no budget was adopted and no millage rate was set, as these were opening hearings in what is typically a multi-step public process. Residents with school-age children or concerns about property taxes should watch for the follow-up votes, which will carry real fiscal weight. These sessions matter for Decatur-area households because DeKalb's school millage rate and capital spending decisions affect nearly everyone who pays a property tax bill in the county.

Avondale Estates Historic Preservation Commission

The Avondale Estates Historic Preservation Commission's regular meeting scheduled for June 1 was cancelled, meaning no business was conducted and no agenda items were heard. The sole substantive item on the agenda — a continued review of a proposed garage renovation and addition at a 1928 English Cottage that had already been deferred from the commission's April meeting — remains unresolved and will need to be rescheduled. For property owners in the historic district who may be planning their own renovation projects, the cancellation is a reminder that commission review timelines can extend significantly when meetings are postponed. Residents should watch for a rescheduled date to appear on the city's agenda calendar.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

Decatur City Commission
- Village at Legacy at Decatur Legacy Park (Katie Kerr Drive & Ashbury Drive) — The commission approved accepting the dedication of newly constructed roads, sidewalks, and storm infrastructure from the Decatur Housing Authority, meaning city taxpayers will now be responsible for the long-term maintenance and upkeep of those assets.

Meetings This Week
- City of Decatur — Zoning Board of Appeals — June 8, 2026 | Decatur City Hall
- City of Decatur — City Commission Meeting — June 8, 2026, 6:00 PM | Decatur City Hall
The commission will hold a special public hearing on the proposed 2026-2027 budget, revised estimates for the current fiscal year, and the 2026 millage rates — which will directly determine city property tax bills. Residents can attend in person, participate via Zoom, or submit written comments to City Manager Andrea Arnold at [email protected] by 5:00 PM that day.

- City of Decatur — Parks & Recreation Board Meeting — June 9, 2026 | Decatur City Hall
- City of Decatur — Planning Commission — June 9, 2026 | Decatur City Hall
Consulting firm TSW is scheduled to present a progress update on the city's Comprehensive Plan, the guiding document for future land use, housing density, and transportation decisions across Decatur. Following the presentation, residents will have the opportunity to review display boards and submit feedback — note that the commission will not meet in July, with the next regular session set for August 11, 2026.

- City Schools of Decatur — Board of Education — June 9, 2026 | CSD Boardroom at Central Office
- City of Avondale Estates — Downtown Development Authority Regular Meeting — June 9, 2026 | Avondale Estates City Hall
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Committee of the Whole — June 9, 2026, 9:00 AM | 178 Sams Street, Decatur (Multipurpose Room A1201)
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Board of Commissioners — June 9, 2026, 9:00 AM | 178 Sams Street, Decatur (Multipurpose Room A1201)
- City of Avondale Estates — Board of Mayor and Commissioners — June 10, 2026 | Avondale Estates City Hall
- City of Avondale Estates — Board of Mayor and Commissioners Regular Meeting — June 10, 2026 | Avondale Estates City Hall
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Board of Commissioners — June 10, 2026, 6:30 PM | 178 Sams Street, Decatur (Multipurpose Room A1201)
- DeKalb County School District — Board of Education — June 11, 2026 | J. David Williamson Board Room, Stone Mountain
The board is scheduled to hold its second public hearing on the district's proposed millage rate, giving residents an opportunity to comment on the property tax rate before any final decision is made.

- DeKalb County School District — Board of Education — June 15, 2026 | J. David Williamson Board Room

CONSTRUCTION | Presented by

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Permits
- Kensington Rd Apartments — Shell Building — $30.9M fire alarm installation filed for a new apartment complex shell. That's a significant signal that this large residential project is moving through its final systems-and-safety phase before occupancy gets any closer.
- Chapel St — $400K permit for new single-family home construction. A custom build in the works on a residential street.
- 707 E College Ave, Ste E — $325K commercial permit for Watershed, covering FOG (fats, oils & grease), backflow, and water & sewer review. The kind of utility work that typically precedes or accompanies a food-service buildout.
- 2665 N Decatur Rd, Ste 240 — Two permits totaling $324K filed for what looks like a significant tenant buildout: one for demolishing and relocating electrical panels with new Siemens controllers ($264K), another for new plumbing ($60K). Something substantial is coming to that suite.
- 3345 Kensington Rd — $200K fire alarm installation at a commercial address.
- 3000 N Decatur Rd — Commercial fire sprinkler modification tied to an ongoing renovation. Routine but confirms active work at the site.
- 230 New St, Unit 2101 — Townhouse permit to activate water service for a unit, suggesting the New Street development continues to fill out.

Nine additional residential permits came in across the area totaling about $70K — mostly routine single-family work.

Road Work

Under Construction
- Kensington MARTA Station Transit Access & Mobility – Phase I (DeKalb County) — Transit access improvements underway near the Kensington MARTA station, about 1.7 miles from Decatur. If you use this station or drive through that corridor, expect some disruption around the station entrance areas.
- I-285 Concrete Rehab: Snapfinger Road to SR-8 (DeKalb County) — Resurfacing work is active on I-285/SR-407 between Snapfinger Road and SR-8, roughly 2.3 miles out. The project is targeting a low pavement condition score, so crews are doing meaningful concrete rehab — not a quick patch job. If I-285 east of Decatur is part of your regular route, build in extra time or find an alternate.

Pre-Construction

- SR-10 Road Diet & Cycle Track (DeKalb County) — A significant transformation is coming to SR-10/East Ponce de Leon corridor between S. Candler St./E. Trinity Place and Arcadia Ave. Plans include center left-turn lanes and a protected two-way cycle track, plus a road diet to calm traffic. If you drive or bike this stretch regularly, the layout will look noticeably different once work begins.
- Downtown Avondale Estates Multi-Modal Improvements — Shared-use paths are planned along Washington, Franklin, and Oak Streets in downtown Avondale Estates, bringing dedicated space for pedestrians and cyclists to three locations in the heart of the neighborhood.
- Laredo Drive & N. Clarendon Ave. Pedestrian Upgrades (DeKalb County) — Sidewalk and bicycle connectivity enhancements are coming to Laredo Drive and North Clarendon Avenue, part of a broader state push to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists at targeted intersections.
- S. McDonough St./Oakview Rd. Shared-Use Path (DeKalb County) — A new shared-use path is planned along South McDonough Street from Hosea L. Williams Drive to College Avenue, running through the heart of Decatur. Good news for anyone walking or biking between those corridors.
- Scott Blvd. Complete Streets Plan (DeKalb County) — A complete streets overhaul is planned for Scott Boulevard, though full project details are still pending. Worth watching if this is part of your daily route.

Service Requests

Vegetation maintenance topped the list of recent requests, with five reports filed along E. College Ave., E. Ponce de Leon Ave., and Mountain View St. Street and infrastructure issues were also well-represented: three pothole reports came in from Adams St., Sycamore Pl., and Katie Kerr Dr., while street maintenance concerns were flagged on Avery St., Montgomery St., and S. Columbia Dr. Sidewalk issues were reported on Westchester Dr. and at the intersection of Clarke Hill St. and McEvoy Ln.

Traffic signals on Clairemont Ave. drew two reports — one at the Clairemont and Scott Blvd. intersection — and tree maintenance requests were filed on W. Ponce de Leon Ave. and at W. Benson St. and Oakview Rd. A stormwater issue on W. Ponce de Leon Ave. was also reported.

On the parks side, three City Parks and Greenspace Maintenance requests came in from E. Court Square, N. Candler St., and one GPS-pinned location near those coordinates. Code violations were reported at four addresses: W. Hill St., Brower St., and both W. and E. Ponce de Leon Ave. Missed sanitation pickups were flagged on Maxwell St., Melrose Ave., and Willow Ln.

Rounding things out: abandoned or improperly parked electric scooters or bikes were reported on Mountain View St. and Sycamore Dr., a street sign concern was noted on W. Howard Ave., and a city facilities maintenance request was filed on 5th Ave.