Decatur: School Bond Goes to Voters, and Decatur's Historic Future Is on the Line

PSA: we’ll be publishing on Tuesday next week, because Memorial Day.

Hey Decatur! Big week for decisions that will shape what this city looks and feels like for years to come. Governor Kemp signed legislation requiring a public vote before City Schools of Decatur can bond for a new early learning center, putting real power in residents' hands — and that's just the start. The Historic Preservation Commission is also weighing a potential development moratorium this week, which could have serious implications for anyone watching what gets built where in this city.

- News — Kemp signed two bills that hit close to home: one sends the early learning center bond to a public vote, and another strips party labels from DeKalb local elections; plus MARTA is prepping for World Cup crowds in ways that will affect your daily commute.
- Events — The DeKalb Symphony wraps its 61st season Tuesday at First Baptist, Eddie's Attic has shows nearly every night, Avondale is putting on a free Shakespeare show, and the Chapel on Sycamore is pulling double-Candlelight duty Friday. It's a full week.
- Government — The Historic Preservation Commission could vote Tuesday on a development moratorium and a bid to designate Decatur Cemetery as a Local Historic District, while Avondale Estates faces two major redevelopment proposals Thursday — a 13-acre mixed-use project and a townhome development — that will reshape its downtown edge.
- Construction — A fitness studio appears to be taking shape at 3000 N. Decatur Rd., a Pineview Drive home is undergoing a $350K fire-damage rebuild, and a protected cycle track is coming to SR-10; here's what's permitted, planned, and already underway.

Let's dive in.

NEWS

Governor Signs Bill Requiring Referendum for Decatur Early Learning Center Funding
City Schools of Decatur wanted to issue bonds for a new early learning center — now they'll need to ask voters first. Governor Kemp signed legislation that puts the multi-million dollar funding decision directly in the hands of residents, turning what was a school board debate into a public referendum that the whole community will have a stake in.

Governor signs bill making DeKalb elections nonpartisan
Party labels are coming off the ballot for several DeKalb County elected positions under a new law signed by Governor Kemp. For Decatur voters, that means future local races will be decided on what candidates actually stand for — not which party they belong to.

Key DeKalb Schools leadership roles become vacant amid consolidation talks
The timing couldn't be more awkward: two significant leadership positions inside DeKalb County School District have opened up just as the district is deep in conversations about school closures and boundary consolidations. Families in Brookhaven and Chamblee who've been watching those discussions closely will want to pay attention to who steps into these seats next.

MARTA finalizes transit plans for 2026 FIFA World Cup crowds
Atlanta is about to host the world, and MARTA has a plan for what that actually looks like on the ground — more trains, tighter security, and a whole lot more people on the platforms. If your daily commute runs through Lindbergh, Buckhead, or Lenox stations, expect your routine to look noticeably different once the tournament kicks off.

DeKalb Commission approves contract for new fire stations
DeKalb County is putting real money behind public safety, approving a contract to design and build several new fire stations across the county. For residents in Brookhaven and Chamblee, this means faster emergency response times — the kind of infrastructure investment that doesn't make headlines until the moment you desperately need it.

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EVENTS

Monday, May 18
- White Winged Doves: A Stevie Nicks Poetry Anthology Reading | Decatur Library
- Joseph E Reed: Joseph E. Reed, The One Man Orchestra, Live Music in Decatur Square! | Decatur Square - Decatur, GA
- Summer Reading Challenge Scavenger Hunt | Decatur Library
- Tai Chi/Qigong Midlevel Practice | Legacy Park

Tuesday, May 19
- DeKalb Symphony Orchestra Season 61 Finale | First Baptist Church of Decatur
- Truckin' Tuesdays | Legacy Park
- Andrew James Birthday Show | Eddie's Attic
- Justice & Advocacy Prayer Night | First Baptist Church of Decatur

Wednesday, May 20
- Hops: The Muleskinner & the King with J. D. Porter | 101 E Court Square
- Midnight, At the War: Devi S. Laskar with Anjali Enjeti | Decatur Library
- The Overseer Class: A Manifesto -- Steven W. Thrasher in conversation with Donovan X. Ramsey | 184 S. Candler St.
- Atlanta Americana Presents: Greenwood Rye | Eddie's Attic
- Anne Richmond Boston | Eddie's Attic
- Volunteer Project | Woodlands Garden

Thursday, May 21
- United States of Rejection: Alison Kinney with Anjali Enjeti | Decatur Library
- Levi Foster | Eddie's Attic
- Singing Workshop in the Pavilion – May | Woodlands Garden
- Sustainable Landscaping Volunteer Day | Legacy Park
- Boozy Bingo | The Reading Room

Friday, May 22
- The Little Mercies: Butterfly Whirl 2026 | Decatur Recreation Center
- Decatur FC VS. TN United | Decatur High School
- Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites ft. Songs by Prince, Childish Gambino, & More | The Chapel on Sycamore
- Candlelight - Back in Black - Tribute to AC/DC | The Chapel on Sycamore
- Jordan Thorne & Dakota East | Eddie's Attic
- Friday Night Live – Jason Montgomery | The Reading Room

Saturday, May 23
- A Shakespeare Happening Spring Series | Avondale Estates Business District
- Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings | The Chapel on Sycamore
- Quail P: In My Own Lane Tour w/ Anella | Eddie's Attic
- Foraging as Ecological Care | Legacy Park
- Thinking Man Tavern Decatur presents The Dark Star Bros Ensemble | Thinking Man Tavern
- Woodland Explorers | Woodlands Garden

Sunday, May 24
- David Nail | Eddie's Attic
- Christie Lenée w/ Katie Marie | Eddie's Attic
- Music in the Garden | Woodlands Garden

GOVERNMENT

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

Past Week Roundup

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners had a packed agenda at its May 12 meeting, and a second session was scheduled for May 16 — but because minutes have not been posted for either, outcomes and votes remain unknown; everything below reflects what was scheduled, and items may have been tabled, deferred, or amended. The most consequential items up for consideration include a $26.58 million project to construct three new fire stations and a $32.37 million emergency expansion of the Snapfinger wastewater treatment facility — both significant infrastructure investments that affect county-wide public safety and sewer capacity. On the development front, the board was scheduled to hear a public hearing on new county-wide data center zoning standards, alongside a proposed resolution that would require baseline health and environmental impact studies before new data center construction could begin, with a $15,000 grant to Science for Georgia to conduct that work. Residents worried about property rights and neighborhood character will also want to watch for outcomes on the chronic nuisance property ordinance — a long-deferred item that would allow the county to close properties designated as repeat problems — as well as a proposed electric landscaping equipment rebate program and a new civilian oversight board for the county's "Digital Shield" surveillance network. An $8 million allocation for the South Peachtree Creek Trail extension connecting Medlock Park to the Lulah Hills development and a formal Water Customer Bill of Rights were also on the docket, the latter a direct response to years of billing complaints from DeKalb utility customers.

DeKalb County School District Board of Education

The DeKalb County School Board had an active week, holding a substantive regular meeting on May 11 and a called session on May 15, with minutes confirmed for both. At the May 11 meeting, the board approved the FY2027 Tentative Budget and Tax Levy — the first formal step in setting next year's property tax millage rate — which makes it the most consequential item of the week for DeKalb homeowners. The board also green-lit more than $20 million in facility maintenance contracts, including $7.5 million for district-wide plumbing across eight vendors, $3.5 million for tree services, $3 million for bleacher replacements, and $1 million for a new fleet of public safety vehicles. A $600,000 contract with Georgia Power was approved to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure at a North Decatur district site, and nearly $500,000 in security and technology upgrades were approved for Cross Keys High School. At the May 15 called session, the board approved an additional $5.5 million in spending: $3 million to expand supplemental custodial contracts with four vendors and $2.5 million to renew district-wide landscaping services through Yellowstone Landscape SE, with executive session action items also approved following a closed-door meeting.

City of Avondale Estates Board of Mayor and Commissioners

The Avondale Estates Board of Mayor and Commissioners held both a work session and a regular meeting on May 13, and the Downtown Development Authority met on May 12 — but minutes have not been posted for any of these sessions, so outcomes are unknown and items may not have been acted upon as scheduled. The dominant theme across all three meetings was infrastructure: the board was scheduled to review a design proposal for the rehabilitation of the Lake Avondale Dam and surrounding stormwater system, and engineering firm Dewberry was set to present geotechnical recommendations on the dam's structural integrity — findings that could trigger significant future construction for residents near the lake. The work session agenda also included a stormwater improvement design proposal for a residential intersection and a resolution to formally abandon the city's public interest in a private way known as Franklin Street, while retaining a utility easement so city services can still access the site. At the DDA meeting, the board was scheduled to discuss the Downtown Development Master Plan — which governs building heights, architectural standards, and land use in the city center — and to enter executive session on potential real estate transactions, signaling that new development activity in the downtown district may be in the works. The city was also scheduled to consider re-qualifying for the DeKalb County CDBG and HOME federal funding programs for 2027–2029, which could support affordable housing and community improvement projects in the coming years.

City of Decatur Zoning Board of Appeals

The City of Decatur's Zoning Board of Appeals was scheduled to hear five variance requests at its May 11 meeting, though minutes have not been posted and actual outcomes are unknown. The most significant item on the agenda involved a request to dramatically reduce required tree canopy preservation — from 75% down to 23% — on a lot where a new duplex is proposed, a change that would meaningfully reduce greenspace and increase residential density at that location. Two other requests sought relief from standard setback rules: one to build an accessory dwelling unit slightly closer to the rear property line than code allows, and another to maintain an existing home foundation sitting just over five feet from a side property line rather than the standard ten. A fifth request sought to increase allowable lot coverage to 57% for a new shed — above the 54% threshold the city uses to manage stormwater runoff — while a business on the West Ponce de Leon corridor applied for permission to install more exterior wall signage than current code permits. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and Planning Commission also met on May 12, though no documents were available for the Planning Commission session; the Parks Board was scheduled to continue an ongoing park ordinance review and begin planning next steps for public input, suggesting residents may soon have a formal opportunity to weigh in on how the city governs its parks.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

City of Avondale Estates — Board of Mayor and Commissioners Work Session
- Intersection of Washington St. and Pine St. — A proposal to design stormwater improvements at this residential intersection is on the agenda, aimed at reducing localized flooding during heavy rains.

City of Decatur — Zoning Board of Appeals
- 217 Forkner Dr. — A variance is on the agenda that would reduce the required tree canopy preservation from 75% to 23% on this lot to allow construction of a new duplex.
- 340 W. Ponce De Leon — A business on this commercial corridor is seeking a variance to install more wall signage than current code permits.

Meetings This Week
- City of Decatur — City Commission Meeting — Monday, May 18, 2026, 7:30 PM
The evening includes work sessions on the city's property and casualty insurance program and a MARTA briefing before the full commission meeting convenes. The session is open in person at Decatur City Hall or via Zoom for registered virtual attendees.

- City of Decatur — Historic Preservation Commission — Tuesday, May 19, 2026
The commission is scheduled to consider a potential moratorium on permitting and construction, which could temporarily halt new development while the city reviews its preservation standards. Also on the agenda: a formal application to designate Decatur Cemetery as a Local Historic District, and a Designation Calendar outlining properties and neighborhoods under consideration for future historic protection.

- City of Avondale Estates — Planning, Architectural & Zoning Board — Thursday, May 21, 2026
Two major redevelopment proposals are scheduled for public hearings: a 13-acre mixed-use residential project near Oak Street and Laredo Drive, and a 1.9-acre townhome and single-family proposal at Franklin and Olive Streets — both brought by partnerships involving Hedgewood Homes and Avila Real Estate. The board will also review public feedback on updates to the city's Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Master Plan. Addresses on the agenda include 136 Laredo Drive, 147 and 143 Oak Street, 2968 Parry Street, 2950 and 2556 Franklin Street (the Oak Parcel), and 2804, 2816, and 2820 Franklin Street and 154 Olive Street (the North Maple Street parcel).

- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Committee of the Whole — Thursday, May 21, 2026, 9:00 AM
The committee is scheduled to take up tentative 2026 millage rates, proposed fee increases for sanitation and stormwater utilities, and parking rate hikes at the DeKalb County Courthouse. Also on the agenda: three proposed roundabouts — two along SR 8/Ponce De Leon Avenue (at East Lake Road and at West Ponce De Leon/North Parkwood Road) and one at SR 155/Clairmont Road and Rosecliff Drive — as well as a resolution to establish independent civilian oversight of the county's "Digital Shield" surveillance network.

- City of Decatur — Environmental Sustainability Board — Monday, May 25, 2026

- City of Decatur — Lifelong Community Advisory Board — Monday, May 25, 2026

CONSTRUCTION

Permits

- N. Decatur Rd — $197K permit filed for a major exterior and interior overhaul on a single-family home, including a full second-story addition, new roof, replacement windows, and wall reconfiguration. Expect noise and construction activity in the area for a while.
- 3000 N. Decatur Rd — $80K commercial buildout at this Decatur address, outfitting a space with new lighting, electrical, HVAC, and workout equipment. A gym or fitness studio appears to be taking shape here.
- 2780 Lulah Ave — Fire sprinkler system going into a new shop space (designated "Shop A20"), flagged as a retail or mercantile permit. A sign that a new commercial tenant is getting close to opening.
- Pineview Dr — $350K permitted for fire damage repair and full interior renovation on a single-family home, including framing replacement in the garage and basement. A significant rebuild.

Six additional routine residential permits were filed this week — mostly minor repairs and improvements — totaling around $26,500 in estimated value.

Road Work

Under Construction
- Kensington MARTA Station Transit Access & Mobility (Phase I, DeKalb County) — Improvements underway at the Kensington MARTA station focused on transit access and mobility connections. At 1.7 miles out, this one's close enough to affect how you get to and from the station — expect some disruption around the station entrance areas.
- I-285 Concrete Rehab: Snapfinger Road to SR-8 (DeKalb County) — Resurfacing work is active on SR-407 (I-285) between Snapfinger Road and SR-8, targeting a stretch with a low pavement condition score. At 2.3 miles from the neighborhood core, this is relevant if you're hopping on I-285 to the southeast — give yourself extra time and watch for lane restrictions.

Pre-Construction

- SR-10 Road Diet & Cycle Track (DeKalb County) — A significant street transformation is coming to SR-10 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. Cyclists and pedestrians will see the biggest upside here; drivers should expect a narrower travel envelope once work begins.
- Downtown Avondale Estates Multi-Modal Improvements — Shared-use paths are planned along Washington, Franklin, and Oak Streets in downtown Avondale Estates. Three separate project locations are in the funding pipeline, so this is a fairly broad reshape of how people move through the downtown core on foot and by bike.
- Laredo Drive & N. Clarendon Ave. Pedestrian/Bike Enhancements — Sidewalk and connectivity upgrades are planned at these two locations as part of GDOT's Vulnerable Road User program. Practical additions for anyone walking or biking in that corridor.
- S. McDonough St./Oakview Rd. Shared Use Path (SR-10 to Hosea Williams Dr.) — A new shared-use path is planned along South McDonough Street through the City of Decatur, running from Hosea L. Williams Drive up to College Avenue. A meaningful addition for pedestrians and cyclists connecting through that stretch.
- Scott Blvd. Complete Streets Plan — A complete streets overhaul is funded for Scott Blvd., though project details are still limited. Worth keeping an eye on — complete streets projects typically touch lanes, sidewalks, bike infrastructure, and intersection design.
- Atlanta Ave. @ CSX Railroad Crossing & Adair Street Realignment — Improvements are coming to the Atlanta Ave. crossing at the CSX rail line, paired with a realignment of Adair Street. Three project segments are listed, suggesting a fairly involved reconfiguration at and around that crossing.

Utility Work

DeKalb County
- Orion Drive Sewer Improvement Project Begins May 13 — Sewer improvement work on Orion Drive got underway May 13. Expect possible lane restrictions or disruptions in the area during construction.
- DeKalb Announces Memorial Day Residential Sanitation Collection Schedule — Trash and recycling pickup will run on a modified schedule around Memorial Day. Check the county's site to confirm your collection day.

Service Requests

Sidewalk Maintenance — Repairs needed at multiple locations across the area, with the heaviest concentration on Coventry Rd (3 reports) and Clarion Ave (2 reports), plus spots along E and W Ponce de Leon Ave, E Court Square, and eight additional streets. Sixteen reports total filed between May 11–16.

Code Violations — Six properties flagged across Ridley Cir, Chelsea Dr, Lansdowne Ave, Avery St, Kirk Rd, and one other location. Filed May 11–15.

Traffic Signal Issues — Signals reported out or malfunctioning at S Columbia Dr (500 block) and S McDonough St. Filed May 11–12.

Street Maintenance — Road issues reported on Coventry Rd and the 200 block of W Howard Ave. Filed May 12–16.

City Facilities Maintenance — Issues logged at Feld Ave and Greenwood Cir. Filed May 13–14.

Pothole — One reported on Adams St. Filed May 14.

Missed Sanitation Collection — Second Ave NE. Filed May 15.

Vegetation Maintenance — Overgrowth flagged on Woodlawn Ave. Filed May 12.

Deceased Animal — Reported on McEvoy Ln. Filed May 13.