Druid Hills / Candler Park: Druid Hills High Upgrade and Lulah Hills Retailers

Welcome to this week’s update for Druid Hills and Candler Park. We’re highlighting a major modernization vote for Druid Hills High and the exciting new retail lineup coming to the Lulah Hills redevelopment.

Big Stories — The DeKalb Board of Education is set to vote on the next phase of Druid Hills High renovations, while the Lulah Hills project secures its first wave of new tenants.

Upcoming Events — The Atlanta Science Festival brings nature programs to Fernbank, the annual Tour deCatur hits the streets, and "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" continues at the Fox Theatre.

Local Government Discussion — Officials are debating a significant increase in on-street parking fees for the first time since 2010.

Development & Construction Nearby — Watch for commercial renovations on North Decatur Road and McLendon Avenue, plus several upcoming roundabout and drainage projects planned for Ponce de Leon.

Let’s dive in.

Next phase of Druid Hills High modernization up for a vote (March 05, 2026)
The DeKalb County Board of Education is moving forward with the next major set of renovations and facility upgrades for Druid Hills High School. This vote marks a significant step in the long-debated modernization of the campus, which aims to address aging infrastructure and improve classroom environments for local students.

North DeKalb Mall redevelopment bags fresh slate of retailers (March 04, 2026)
Developers behind the 78-acre Lulah Hills project have announced a new lineup of national and local tenants that will anchor the massive mixed-use site replacing the former North DeKalb Mall. For Druid Hills residents, this progress signals the transition of a long-dormant site into a primary shopping and residential hub that will likely shift local traffic patterns and property values.

One major neighborhood highlight this week is the Atlanta Science Festival, which kicks off several nature and science programs at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Additionally, the annual Tour deCatur will take place this Saturday, bringing significant activity to the nearby Decatur High School area.

Monday, March 09
- CPNO Board Meeting March | Candler Park
- Trattoria Lucia Wine Dinner | Atlanta Beltline
- Toddler Storytime | Decatur Library

Tuesday, March 10
- The ADHD Field Guide for Adults: Cate Osborn & Erik Gude | Decatur Library
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Touring) | Fox Theatre - Atlanta
- $5 Beer + Taco + Trivia Tuesdays in Avondale | Wild Heaven Beer
- Jordan Jensen: BUS-TED UP Tour | Variety Playhouse

Wednesday, March 11
- The SideBurners | Star Community Bar
- Robert Olen Butler presents Twice Around a Marriage | Decatur Library
- Spring Ultimate Frisbee 2026 | Columbia Theological Seminary

Thursday, March 12
- Birding Lecture Series: How Birds Work, From Bones to Beak | Woodlands Garden
- Kids Yoga | Decatur Library
- Book Launch for YA Author Delali Adjoa's Free Verse Society | Brave and Kind Books

Friday, March 13
- Life After Cars LIVE: Presented by Propel ATL | Plaza Theater Atlanta
- Fernbank After Dark: The Big Chill | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings | The Chapel on Sycamore
- Cat Power ‘The Greatest’ 20th Anniversary Tour | The Eastern
- Road Trip Comedy | Dad’s Garage

Saturday, March 14
- drivin' n' cryin' w/ Laid Back Country Picker | Variety Playhouse
- Flight of Butterflies | Fernbank Museum
- Atlanta Science Festival - Wildflower Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Atlanta Science Festival - Bugs Bonanza | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Tour deCatur | Decatur High School
- Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl | CRU Lounge – Edgewood
- Saint Patrick’s Day Party | New Realm Brewing
- Mamma Mia Brunch | City Winery Atlanta

Sunday, March 15
- Family Nature Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Tree Tour: Kirkwood, a Healthy Community | Bessie Branham Park
- Free Yoga | Wild Heaven Beer
- Jonathan McReynolds - Closer: One Night Only | Eddie's Attic

DeKalb County School District

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board of Education convened on March 9 for a multi-part session comprising an Executive Session, a Work Session, and a formal Business Meeting. While the specific voting results and policy details were not finalized in the preliminary public record, the session was structured to cover essential district operations. The Work Session typically involves the review of departmental reports and detailed discussion of policy changes before they are advanced to a vote, while the Business Meeting serves as the official forum for board action on district expenditures and administrative matters.

Other topics:
The proceedings included a Community Input Session, which serves as the primary designated time for residents to address the Board of Education directly regarding school district concerns. Additionally, the Executive Session was scheduled to handle confidential deliberations, which generally include personnel matters, pending litigation, or real estate acquisitions.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board and its committees focused heavily on large-scale infrastructure and public safety investments. Significant items moved forward to the full agenda include a $21 million contract for gravity sewer line restoration, $19 million for water valve replacements, and over $3 million for repairs to police precincts. The county also moved forward with a $500,000 allocation to evaluate potential sites for a new Public Safety Training Facility.

Major policy discussions included the implementation plan for the "DeKalb County Day Center" to address homelessness and a proposed $22.2 million contract extension for the Lifeline Animal Project to manage the county animal shelter through 2027. Additionally, the Board began considering a resolution that would require health and environmental impact studies before any new data centers are permitted in the county.

Other topics:
The Board discussed accepting state funding for maintenance at DeKalb Peachtree (PDK) Airport and approved various service contracts for the Seminole Landfill, including tire recycling and equipment purchases. Funding was also moved forward for improvements at Briarlake Park and the DeKalb County Courthouse parking deck.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Board of Commissioners, March 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM: The Board is expected to take final action on items reviewed in committee last week, including the $22.2M animal shelter contract, the homelessness Day Center plan, and a $21M sewer restoration project. A vote is also scheduled for the Master Plan funding for 1634 Briarcliff Road.

Atlanta City Council

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Council moved forward with several major city-wide policy shifts, most notably a proposed increase in on-street metered parking fees. The rate is slated to rise from $1.00 per half-hour to $1.75 per half-hour, the first such increase since 2010. Significant focus was also placed on preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the "Wi-Fi World Cup Initiative" to install smart streetlight infrastructure and digital connectivity. Additionally, the Council is advancing amendments to the "Cool Roofs" ordinance to update reflectivity standards with a new effective date in 2027.

Regulatory frameworks for housing and nightlife were also center stage. The Council is considering the creation of a centralized "Office of Short-Term Rentals" within the Department of City Planning to manage the registration and enforcement of platforms like Airbnb. For public safety, a 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses was proposed for the Edgewood Corridor following recent violence, while a specific "Open Container District" is being designed to support revitalization in South Downtown.

Other topics:
The Committee on Council addressed significant administrative backlogs, noting that 85 city boards currently have vacancies. A proposed Charter amendment would allow council committees to nominate candidates if a seat remains vacant for over 31 days. The committee also recommended limiting mandatory ethics and legislative training to newly elected officials rather than requiring veterans to repeat the courses every term. Finally, the city accepted a $1,000 facility donation from Zoo Atlanta for the upcoming 2026 Council Retreat.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Zoning Committee (March 09, 2026 at 11:00 AM) — The committee will review massive mixed-use expansions for "The Works" on the Upper Westside and a 188-unit affordable townhome project on County Line Road. They will also consider the landmark designation of the historic New Hope AME Church and cemeteries in Buckhead.
- Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee (March 09, 2026 at 1:00 PM) — Key items include a $7.6 million federal grant for anti-drone technology for World Cup security and a proposed freeze on alcohol licenses in the Edgewood Avenue Corridor. The committee will also consider a legal claim for property damage at Briarcliff and Virginia Avenue related to a water valve leak.
- City Utilities Committee (March 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM) — Discussions will center on a $21 million funding increase for watershed management and proposed changes to Riparian Buffer protections to simplify stream restoration on city-owned land. They will also review multi-million dollar levee improvements at the RM Clayton Water Reclamation Center.
- Community Development/Human Services Committee (March 10, 2026 at 1:30 PM) — This meeting continues the discussion on establishing the "Office of Short-Term Rentals" and explores land acquisitions for a 200-unit affordable housing project near the Beltline at Chappell Road.
- Transportation Committee (March 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM) — This session includes a public hearing on the proposed on-street parking fee increase. Neighborhood-specific items include a proposal to designate South Ponce de Leon Avenue, NE (between Oakdale Road and Fairview Road) as "Honorary Paul Bianchi Way" to recognize the longtime Paideia School headmaster.
- Finance/Executive Committee (March 11, 2026 at 1:30 PM) — The committee will consider a massive $1.25 billion bond issuance for water and wastewater infrastructure and an $81 million agreement with Delta for airport cooling systems. They will also review several annexation petitions for properties currently in unincorporated DeKalb County.

Permits

Here is a look at the latest building activity and permit filings for our corner of the city. It’s a busy week for commercial upgrades and a few major home repairs across Druid Hills and Candler Park.

- 1784 N Decatur Rd NE — Commercial renovation of the existing building including associated sitework and general improvements.
- 1653 McLendon Ave NE — Commercial electrical permit for a new 100-amp panel, lighting, and HVAC/water heater circuitry.
- 1215 Euclid Ave NE — Interior alterations within this multi-family building; work is limited to the interior with no exterior changes.

In addition to these larger projects, there are 27 minor residential permits currently active in the area. This includes 9 arborist visits for dead or hazardous trees, as well as several routine plumbing and addition permits totaling about $68,500 in smaller-scale neighborhood improvements.

Road Work
- SR 8/SR 10/US 23 @ Lullwater Creek Bridge Maintenance — This project is currently in the Construction Work Program. It is funded and approved, but active construction hasn't started yet. When it does, expect crews on Ponce De Leon Avenue performing structural maintenance on the bridge over Lullwater Creek.
- SR 8/US 23 Drainage Improvements (South Ponce de Leon Ave to Ridgecrest Road) — Listed in the Construction Work Program. While the project is approved, work has not yet begun. This will involve drainage upgrades along the urban arterial section of Ponce de Leon.
- SR 8 Roundabout Installations (Eastlake and North Ponce de Leon Ave) — Currently in the Construction Work Program phase. This project is moving forward but is not yet Under Construction. It includes two proposed roundabouts: one at the SR 8 and Eastlake intersection and another at North Ponce and the Parkwoods.
- SR 8/US 23 at SR 42 Operational Improvements — This multi-county project is in the Construction Work Program. It is approved for future work to extend turn lanes on Ponce de Leon Avenue at the Briarcliff/Moreland intersection to ease congestion.
- DeKalb Avenue Railroad Crossing Warning Devices — Status is Construction Work Program. This project is approved and funded, but work has not started. It will involve installing new railroad crossing warning upgrades at the CSX crossing on DeKalb Avenue.
- SR 42 & SR 154 Signal Upgrades — This project is Under Construction. Crews are actively on-site performing signal upgrades and pedestrian accommodation work across several intersections to meet ADA requirements. Expect traffic impacts while work is underway.
- Off-System Safety Improvements — Currently Under Construction. This is an active project where crews are on-site installing enhanced crosswalks, radar signs, and flashing beacons at various locations across the county to improve safety.

Service Requests

Here are the latest service requests to help keep our streets safe and clean across Druid Hills, Candler Park, and Lake Claire:

- Traffic Signal & Sign Repairs — Non-emergency maintenance at Clifton Rd & DeKalb Ave and the intersection of Clifton Rd NE and Harriett Ave NE.
- Litter & Illegal Dumping — An investigation on Sterling St NE and right-of-way litter removal on Candler St NE.