Druid Hills / Candler Park: DeKalb's Strategic Growth Plan and Druid Hills Homes

Spring is officially in high gear as the Historic Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour returns. Beyond the blossoms, we're tracking significant traffic shifts on Moreland Avenue and new county rules designed to finally silence those chronic "party houses." And don't miss the Inman Park Festival coming up April 25–26.

- News — DeKalb's new strategic economic development plan and a Space Explorers program at Pullman Yards headline this week's local news.
- Events — From the elegance of the Home & Garden Tour to the high-energy return of Sweetwater 420 Fest, there are more than enough reasons to get out of the house this week.
- Government — DeKalb officials are weighing a $16.2 million police fleet update alongside a much-anticipated crackdown on nuisance properties and a new rebate for electric leaf blowers.
- Construction — Major site overhauls are beginning on Oxford Road while upcoming roundabout projects on Ponce promise to reshape our daily commutes.

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Let’s dive in.

NEWS

DeKalb County unveils strategic economic development plan
DeKalb County has released a new strategic economic development plan aimed at guiding growth, attracting investment, and strengthening the local business ecosystem. For Druid Hills and Candler Park residents, the plan signals a more intentional approach to shaping how commercial corridors and employment centers evolve across the county in the years ahead.

Space Explorers program launches at Pullman Yards
A new immersive Space Explorers experience has arrived at Pullman Yards, bringing an out-of-this-world educational and entertainment program to one of Atlanta's most dynamic event venues. It's a compelling outing for families and space enthusiasts alike, and close enough to our corner of the city to make for an easy weekend excursion.

EVENTS

This week marks the return of the Historic Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour, a neighborhood staple that offers a rare glimpse into some of the area's most stunning private residences and landscapes. Between the tour and the Sweetwater 420 Fest kicking off nearby, expect a lively atmosphere and a bit more foot traffic than usual through our tree-lined streets. Looking ahead, the Inman Park Festival (April 25–26) is just around the corner—one of Atlanta's signature neighborhood festivals and well worth a spot on your calendar.

Monday, April 13
- CPNO Board Meeting April | Candler Park
- Monday Night Board Games | Manuels Tavern
- Atlanta Run Club: Monday Night Runs | Ponce City Market

Tuesday, April 14
- Atlanta Veg Week Kickoff Party | Patagonia
- Allie X | Variety Playhouse
- Hops at the History Center: Georgia's Historical Recipes | Historic DeKalb Courthouse

Wednesday, April 15
- Historic Druid Hills Gala | Druid Hills Civic Association Events
- The Toasters | Star Community Bar
- Hippie Sabotage | The Eastern

Thursday, April 16
- The Blood Gospel Rebirth Tour | Star Community Bar
- illumine 2026 | Oakland Cemetery
- Oakhurst Jazz Nights | The Solarium
- Charles Wesley Godwin | The Eastern
- Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band | Variety Playhouse

Friday, April 17
- Historic Home & Garden Tour | Druid Hills Civic Association Events
- Adult Prom: Back to the Future | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Soraia | Star Community Bar
- Sweetwater 420 Fest | Shirley Clarke Franklin Park
- Acid Bath | The Eastern
- New Neighbor Party | Cabbagetown Neighborhood Improvement Association

Saturday, April 18
- Historic Home & Garden Tour | Druid Hills Civic Association Events
- Meet a Ranger | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Rob McHale | AAFFM
- Psychadelic Rabbit Fest | New Realm Brewing
- Legacy Community Day and Earth Day Festival | Legacy Park
- Spring Makers Market | Decatur Makers
- The Midnight: Time Machines | The Eastern

Sunday, April 19
- Historic Home & Garden Tour | Druid Hills Civic Association Events
- Family Nature Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Market in the Park Debuts in Grant Park | Grant Park
- Mornings at the Zoo | Zoo Atlanta
- VNV Nation | Variety Playhouse

GOVERNMENT

Note: it’s an unusually quiet week as many governing bodies take spring break; if you’re new here, you can see what this section usually looks like in prior issues

Meetings This Week
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Board of Commissioners April 14 at 9:00 AM
Commissioners will consider a $16.2 million police fleet overhaul and new regulations to crack down on "party houses" and chronic nuisance properties. The agenda also features a proposed rebate program for electric leaf blowers and stricter oversight for blasting operations at new construction sites. Notable locations mentioned include Rutledge Park and Frazier Rowe Park for improvements, and Forrest Road for a septic-to-sewer petition.

- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Committee of the Whole April 14 at 9:00 AM

CONSTRUCTION

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Permits
- Oxford Rd — $120,000 permit filed for a new pool and spa. Expect some excavation noise and outdoor work on this quiet residential stretch.
- Oxford Rd — $120,000 for nearly 38 linear feet of retaining walls. Between the pool and the walls, this property is undergoing a massive site overhaul.
- W Ponce de Leon Ave — $90,000 for a substantial residential addition. The project adds a sunroom, den, and a new two-car garage to the rear of the home along this historic corridor.
- Dyson Dr — $145,000 for a kitchen and laundry room renovation. This is a high-dollar interior refresh that modernizes the home without changing its exterior footprint.

In addition to these larger projects, 19 minor permits were filed this week—including five arborist visits for hazardous trees and several HVAC updates—representing another $27,000 in neighborhood maintenance.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 42/Moreland Avenue at Arkwright Place (Fulton County) — Crews are working to convert this intersection into a right-in/right-out configuration. A new median is being constructed to restrict left turns, which will change how you navigate the corridor near the Edgewood Retail District. Expect shifts in traffic patterns and potential delays on this major north-south artery.
- I-20 from Capitol Avenue to Flat Shoals Road (DeKalb & Fulton Counties) — This project spans multiple counties and involves a large-scale upgrade to energy-efficient LED lighting. While primarily improving visibility, the work includes replacing poles and conduit along the highway. Commuters should watch for nighttime lane closures between downtown and the Eastside.
- SR 260/Glenwood Avenue at Haas, Eastside, Brownwood, and Joseph Avenues (DeKalb County) — Active construction is underway to install pedestrian-activated signal beacons (RRFBs) at several intersections. Expect minor delays and roadside crews as these safety enhancements are implemented along the Glenwood corridor south of the neighborhood.

Pre-Construction
- SR 8/SR 10/US 23 @ Lullwater Creek (DeKalb County) — Bridge maintenance on Ponce De Leon Avenue over Lullwater Creek. Once work begins, expect lane shifts near the heart of Druid Hills.
- SR 8/US 23 Ponce De Leon Ave (DeKalb County) — Drainage improvements along Ponce between South Ponce De Leon Avenue and Ridgecrest Road to mitigate local flooding.
- SR 8 @ East Lake Rd & North Ponce De Leon Ave (DeKalb County) — Major intersection upgrades featuring two new roundabouts. One is slated for the East Lake Road intersection, and the second will manage the complex junction of North Ponce, West Parkwood, and East Parkwood.
- SR 8/US 23 @ SR 42 (DeKalb and Fulton Counties) — Operational improvements at the busy Ponce De Leon and Moreland Avenue intersection. Plans include extending the westbound left-turn lane and adding a new westbound right-turn lane to help clear the bottleneck.
- DeKalb Avenue @ CSX Crossing (DeKalb County) — Installation of updated railroad crossing warning devices near the Candler Park and Lake Claire border to improve safety along the rail corridor.
- Scott Blvd Complete Streets Plan (DeKalb County) — A significant project nearby focused on the redesign of the Scott Blvd corridor. This will eventually impact a primary route used by Druid Hills residents to reach Decatur and I-285.
- SR 42/US 23 from DeKalb Ave to Austin Ave (DeKalb County) — A scoping project on Moreland Avenue intended to narrow travel lanes from 11.5 feet to 10 feet, aimed at calming traffic and increasing safety on the neighborhood border.
- Atlanta Ave @ CSX & Adair Street Realignment (DeKalb County) — A nearby railroad crossing and street realignment project. While just outside the immediate neighborhood, it will affect south-side connectivity for residents heading toward Decatur.

Service Requests
- Potholes — Six separate reports concentrated along Oakdale Rd NE and Euclid Ave NE.