Druid Hills / Candler Park: A School Money Mess, and AfroXFest Saturday

Before we get into it this week, heads up that we’re thinking of making some changes to our neighborhood coverage, and this area is under consideration for changes. We realized that some areas don’t have enough truly local news on a weekly basis, so we’re looking to address that with some neighborhood combinations. Our commitment is that we will try to keep coverage balanced across neighborhoods in consolidated newsletters so you don’t lose any of the rich local content you’re used to. We’d like your opinion on which neighborhood combinations are most helpful for you, though. Please let us know below:

Hey neighbors! Big week in DeKalb politics, with incumbent Commissioner Nicole Massiah unseated in Tuesday's runoff and a bureaucratic paperwork error leaving local schools waiting on millions in E-SPLOST funds they're owed. On a lighter note, AfroXFest takes over Candler Park this Saturday, and there's plenty more happening across the neighborhood all week long.

- News — An incumbent DeKalb commissioner falls to a challenger, APS and Decatur City Schools are owed millions due to a paperwork error, and the county launches an affordable housing bond program.
- Events — AfroXFest headlines Saturday in Candler Park, with Lyle Lovett at City Winery Tuesday and The Earl's 27th anniversary series rolling through the week.
- Government — DeKalb commissioners are set to vote Tuesday on millage rates, a data center permit moratorium, and a $233.8 million water treatment plant overhaul; plus Atlanta City Council has a packed week of committee action.
- Construction — A $542K electrical permit at Fernbank points to a major new exhibit, McLendon Ave signals a restaurant may be on the way, and Ponce de Leon Ave has multiple GDOT projects in the pipeline.

Let's dive in.

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NEWS

DeKalb County to launch affordable housing investment bond
DeKalb County is moving to tackle its housing crunch head-on with a new affordable housing investment bond program designed to finance local development projects. For a county where housing costs have climbed steadily, this could be a meaningful tool; watch for how it shapes what gets built, and where.

Atlanta, Decatur schools owed millions in sales tax funds after paperwork error
A bureaucratic paperwork mistake has left both City Schools of Decatur and Atlanta Public Schools waiting on millions in E-SPLOST dollars from DeKalb Schools — money earmarked for school operations and capital improvements. The error is being addressed, but the delay is a real one, and parents and taxpayers alike have good reason to keep a close eye on the fallout.

Incumbent DeKalb commissioner defeated in runoff election, and DeKalb School board member chosen
District 3 Commissioner Nicole Massiah lost her seat to challenger Keyanna Jones Moore in Tuesday's runoff, a result that signals voters were ready for a change in county leadership. Meanwhile, in the School Board District 4 race — an open seat with no incumbent — Tracy Brisson came out on top over Sonja Szubski.

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AfroXFest lands in Candler Park this Saturday, and it's the real deal — a full-scale African experience festival bringing music, culture, and community to the park right in our backyard. Plan your route accordingly and expect a lively crowd.

Monday, June 22
- Southern Fried Queer Pride
- Eddie's Attic Songwriters Open Mic Night | Eddie's Attic
- EARL 27th Anniversary Series | The Earl

Tuesday, June 23
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Lyle Lovett | City Winery Atlanta
- Widowspeak | The Earl
- Timeless Tributes Candlelight Concert | Eddie's Attic
- Decatur FC VS. Chattanooga FC | Decatur High School

Wednesday, June 24
- Family Nature Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Dino Talk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Volunteer Project | Woodlands Garden
- Habitat for Humanity - Stand Up for Pride | Dad's Garage

Thursday, June 25
- Evening Hike | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Meet a Ranger | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- The War and Treaty | Downtown Decatur Square
- Classical Remix Gala Concert: America's 250th | Trolley Barn
- Singing Workshop in the Pavilion – June | Woodlands Garden
- Teach-in: Data centers, surveillance, and policing in DeKalb | 184 S. Candler

Friday, June 26
- LATER: Rex Factor | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- The Tree Economy screening with Director James Schroeder and Chad Radford | Wild Heaven Beer

Saturday, June 27
- AFROXFEST (The African Experience Festival) | Candler Park
- Fernbank Celebrates the USA | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Sensory Morning | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Dino Talk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Family Nature Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Pollinator Festival | Harmony Park
- 23rd Anniversary of The Room on 35mm w/Greg Sestero LIVE | Plaza Atlanta
- Woodland Explorers | Woodlands Garden
- Marcus Bar & Grille x Bomb Biscuit Brunch Collaboration with Erika Council | Marcus Bar & Grille

Sunday, June 28
- Teen Forest Lab: Water Quality | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Meet a Ranger | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History

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 approved two of the biggest items on any government's annual calendar: the Fiscal Year 2027 city budget and the accompanying property tax rates, which cover everything from general operations and debt service to parks, education, and special districts like the Atlanta Beltline. The council also took up a $7.85 million acquisition of nearly 30 acres of forested land for permanent greenspace preservation, funded through the city's Tree Trust Fund and impact fees. On the development front, a large mixed-use rezoning proposal for nearly 14 acres off Sylvan Road — which city planning staff and the Zoning Review Board recommended denying, though the local NPU supported it — was among the major land-use items considered, alongside an annexation and apartment rezoning on Woodland Avenue NE. A new ordinance was also passed requiring Atlanta's Department of Transportation to establish mandatory, safe pedestrian detour routes whenever sidewalks are blocked by construction — a straightforward quality-of-life protection for anyone who walks in the city. Separately, the council's Committee on Council, which met the same morning, advanced a resolution requesting certified law enforcement officers be stationed at recreation centers used as polling places during major elections, and considered an ordinance that would change how residents sign up to deliver public comment at council meetings — a procedural shift that could affect how neighbors engage with their elected officials.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners – Committee of the Whole

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners was scheduled to meet June 18 to take up a packed agenda — though since no minutes are posted, note that any item could be tabled, deferred, or withdrawn before action is taken. The biggest-ticket item was a proposed $233.8 million design-build contract with Ruby-Collins, Inc. to demolish and rebuild major infrastructure at the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant, the facility that serves much of the county's drinking water supply; a separate $325.5 million multi-year contract for on-call water and sewer repairs was also on the table. Residents who walk or bike local trails will want to watch two proposed design contracts — a $3.12 million agreement to plan Phase VI of the South River Trail and a $998,946 contract to design a North Fork Peachtree Creek Trail segment toward Chamblee Tucker Road — which would advance two of the county's most anticipated greenway extensions. Public hearings on the 2026 property tax millage rates were also scheduled, giving residents a formal opportunity to weigh in before the county sets how much homeowners will owe. Rounding out the agenda are proposals to establish strict new zoning standards for data centers, add $1.48 million to the county's ambulance services contract with AMR to improve emergency response times, and allocate $500,000 in SPLOST II funding for a new bicycle and multi-use trail facility along Laredo Drive.

DeKalb County School District Board of Education

The DeKalb County School District Board of Education held two sessions on June 15 — the first was a public hearing for community input on the proposed budget and millage rate, with no votes recorded; the second was a full action meeting where the board officially adopted the FY2027 operating budget and set the local property tax levy, the decisions that will directly shape school funding and homeowners' tax bills for the coming year. The board also approved continuation of the E-SPLOST, the one-cent sales tax dedicated to school construction and infrastructure, locking in a critical long-term funding stream for capital projects across the district. On the spending side, the board authorized a $15 million purchase of updated K-12 science curriculum materials, a $3.1 million school bus procurement, and renovation contracts for multiple school campuses. Rounding out the meeting, the board introduced a new policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence in schools for its first reading — the district's opening move toward formally regulating how AI tools are used in classrooms.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee — Monday, June 22 at 11:00 AM
A packed agenda includes a proposed 59-acre truck terminal on Jonesboro Road, a city-wide 180-day moratorium on new self-storage facilities, and rezoning requests that would convert industrial sites on White Street and Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard into dense mixed-use apartment communities. Multiple requests to rezone single-family lots to duplexes and a proposed Peachtree Circle Historic District overlay are also on the agenda.

- Atlanta City Council — Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee — Monday, June 22 at 1:00 PM
The committee will consider a $3.39 million land purchase from MARTA to build a new EMS and Fire Station at Lindbergh City Center, a proposed ordinance that would allow forensic audits of alcohol-licensed businesses under police investigation, and a 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses along the Edgewood Corridor.

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

- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Board of Commissioners — Tuesday, June 23 at 9:00 AM
Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the 2026 property tax millage rates, proposed increases to stormwater and sanitation fees, and a resolution that would block land disturbance permits for new data centers pending a health and environmental impact study. Major infrastructure items include a $233.8 million design-build contract for the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant and design contracts totaling over $4 million for the South River Trail and North Fork Peachtree Creek Trail. The Fernbank Museum is referenced in connection with a proposed $30,000 allocation to the Jane Goodall Institute for youth environmental programming.

- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Committee of the Whole — Tuesday, June 23 at 9:00 AM
No agenda is currently available.

- Atlanta City Council — City Utilities Committee — Tuesday, June 23 at 10:00 AM
The committee is set to consider a restructuring of solid waste fees and backyard trash collection exemptions, a $2 million transfer to fund stream stabilization at Chastain Park Golf Course, and a $1.88 million land acquisition for a new constructed wetland. More than $36 million in water and sewer system repair contract renewals and a proposed ordinance establishing when property owners must connect to the public sewer system are also on the agenda.

- Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee — Tuesday, June 23 at 1:30 PM
The committee will consider an ordinance that would codify free admission at all city pools and indoor natatoria, a 20-year agreement with L.E.A.D., Inc. to build a community center near Center Hill Park, and a $250,000 Livable Centers Initiative study for the Ashby MARTA Station area. A long-pending ordinance to establish a formal Office of Short-Term Rentals is also scheduled to be heard.

- Atlanta City Council — Transportation Committee — Wednesday, June 24 at 10:00 AM
On the agenda is a proposed permanent closure of a segment of Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE near Grady Hospital to create a pedestrian plaza, sweeping new consumer protections for private parking lots, and a resolution requesting the Mayor to renegotiate the "More MARTA" transit agreement. A $2.63 million safe streets design contract for Pryor Street and Central Avenue and a proposed parking ban on Sherwood Road NE near Smith Park are also scheduled for consideration. A temporary construction easement at 0 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE is on the agenda in connection with the Lullwater Creek Bridge Rehabilitation Project, and an encroachment agreement for an overhead canopy at 331 Elizabeth Street NE is up for a vote.

- Atlanta City Council — Wednesday, June 24 at 12:30 PM
No agenda is currently available.

- Atlanta City Council — Finance/Executive Committee — Wednesday, June 24 at 1:30 PM
The committee is scheduled to consider a resolution requesting Fulton County to commit $200 million toward healthcare facility expansion on Atlanta's Southside and Westside, an ordinance to set FY2027 property tax rates, and a measure that would authorize surcharges on certain electronic payments to the city. Also on the agenda: free youth summer camps, a $75,000 donation for senior home repairs, a firefighter compensation overhaul, and a resolution seeking an explanation for a tax break on a stalled construction site at 1155 Peachtree Street.

- Atlanta NPU — NPU-N — Thursday, June 25 at 7:00 PM (Virtual)
No agenda is currently available.

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Permits

The big story this week is 767 Clifton Rd — a $542,000 electrical permit closed for a "Changing Earth Exhibit," paired with a companion plumbing permit. That's almost certainly Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and it points to a significant new installation in the works.

Elsewhere on the commercial side:

- 585 Candler Park Dr NE — Parking lot getting ADA-compliant upgrades plus an 800 sq. ft. pavilion with sidewalk access. A small but meaningful improvement to what looks like a park or community facility.
- 1639 & 1643 McLendon Ave NE — Back-to-back commercial permits on the same block: a grease trap installation at 1639 and a full electrical service upgrade at 1643. Grease trap = food service, so keep an eye on this stretch for a new restaurant or café getting close to opening.
- 1189 Euclid Ave NE — Interior electrical renovation of a commercial space, replacing outlets and switches throughout.

On the residential side, a few higher-dollar projects worth noting:

- Clifton Rd — $220K basement renovation, including new flooring, a redone bathroom, and layout changes.
- E Lake Rd — $180K permit for wiring a new accessory dwelling unit (ADU), the latest in a steady regional trend of homeowners adding backyard or basement units.
- Oxford Rd — $50K electrical service upgrade, pulling a 400-amp permanent service.

Beyond that, 30 additional residential permits came through — mostly HVAC, arborist work, and minor alterations, totaling around $67K.

Road Work

Under Construction

- SR-42/US-23 at Moreland Ave & Arkwright Place (Fulton County) — GDOT is converting this intersection to a right-in/right-out configuration by adding a median that eliminates left turns. About 2.3 miles out, but if Moreland is part of your routine, expect the access pattern to feel different.
- SR-260 Pedestrian Improvements at Haas Ave, Eastside Ave & Brownwood Ave (DeKalb County) — GDOT is installing Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFBs) at multiple crosswalks along this corridor. Good for pedestrian safety; minor disruption to expect near the crossing points.
- I-20 Lighting Upgrade, Capitol Ave to Flat Shoals Road (DeKalb/Fulton) — Crews are swapping out old high-pressure sodium fixtures for LED lighting along this stretch. Mostly nighttime work, but if you use I-20 heading toward downtown or East Atlanta, anticipate lane restrictions during off-hours.

Pre-Construction
- SR 8/Ponce De Leon Ave Bridge at Lullwater Creek (DeKalb County) — Maintenance work is coming to the bridge carrying Ponce De Leon Avenue over Lullwater Creek, just under half a mile from the neighborhood. Expect lane impacts on one of the area's busiest corridors once work gets underway.
- SR 8/Ponce De Leon Ave Drainage Improvements (DeKalb County) — A stretch of Ponce De Leon Ave is slated for drainage upgrades. The segment is classified as an urban principal arterial, so any active work phases will likely mean disruptions along a road many residents use daily.
- SR 8/Ponce De Leon Ave Roundabouts at Eastlake and North Ponce (DeKalb County) — Two roundabouts are planned along the Ponce de Leon corridor: one at the SR 8/Eastlake intersection and a second at SR 8 where North Ponce, West Parkwood, and East Parkwood converge. A notable redesign of familiar intersections — worth watching as this moves toward construction.
- SR 8/Ponce De Leon Ave at SR 42 Intersection Improvements (DeKalb/Fulton Counties) — Turn lane extensions and additions are planned at the Ponce De Leon/SR 42 intersection, including a longer westbound left turn lane and a new westbound right turn lane. Spans both DeKalb and Fulton Counties. Should ease some of the bottleneck at this busy crossing once built.

Service Requests

Traffic Signal Repair — The signal at DeKalb Ave NE & Clifton Rd is being serviced. Right-of-Way Overgrowth — Visibility trimming was completed at Springdale Rd & Cofield Dr.