Druid Hills / Candler Park: Soccer on the Green, High School Face-lifts, and a $1.75 Parking Spot

Good morning, Druid Hills and Candler Park neighbors! This week, we’re celebrating a massive win for Druid Hills High and debating whether soccer balls belong on our favorite golf course. Grab a coffee and settle in—we’ve got everything from St. Paddy’s plans to the latest "mall-walking" updates.

- Big Stories — From a $50 million high school makeover to the "FootGolf" debate heading to the green, we’re breaking down the biggest headlines hitting our streets.
- Local Business Updates — Get ready for new treats at Lulah Hills, and read about a unique bookstore / writing studio.
- Upcoming Events — Whether you’re into historic park tours, St. Paddy’s karaoke, or learning the secrets of seitan, your social calendar is officially booked.
- Local Government Discussion — We’re tracking parking fee hikes, a 52-year tribute on Ponce, and why the school board is suddenly into "personality tests."
- Development & Construction Nearby — Between new medians on Moreland and a serious "glow-up" for commercial spots on McLendon, the orange cones are out in full force this week.

Let's dive in.

BIG STORIES

First contract approved for Druid Hills High School modernization plan (March 10, 2026) It’s finally happening, people! The DeKalb School Board just greenlit the first $5.8 million contract for the massive $50 million overhaul of Druid Hills High. After years of literal leaks and figurative headaches, seeing the modernization project actually move forward feels like a collective exhale for the whole neighborhood.

3/26 Virtual Public Meeting: FootGolf @ Candler Park Golf Course (March 09, 2026) Ever looked at a golf course and thought, "this needs more soccer balls"? Well, the city is looking to bring FootGolf to Candler Park to make the green more "accessible" ahead of the World Cup. Whether you think it’s a fun twist or a total travesty for your backswing, make sure to hop on the virtual meeting on March 26th to give them a piece of your mind.

Unabashedly modern Frederick Walk project starts coming to market (March 10, 2026) If you’ve driven through North Druid Hills lately and wondered about those sleek new townhomes, they’re officially hitting the market. The project turned two former home lots into 18 "unabashedly modern" units tucked into our leafy landscape. It’s definitely a vibe shift for the area, but hey, that’s the price of progress (and proximity to everything).

LOCAL BUSINESS UPDATES

Lulah Hills - opening - The massive North DeKalb Mall redevelopment just dropped its latest roster of tenants, including Firepit Pizza Tavern and Honeysuckle Gelato. We are officially ready for the "mall-walking" era to be replaced by "gelato-strolling" along North Druid Hills Road. (March 09, 2026)

Lostintheletters - recognition - Candler Park’s literary hub is featured in this spotlight piece. Part bookstore and part writing studio, it’s a truly unique neighborhood cornerstone committed to supporting local creatives. (March 10, 2026)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Get your walking shoes ready because the Phoenix Flies Park Tours are back this weekend! This is the one you've been waiting for to get an insider’s look at our beautiful historic landscapes, so clear your Saturday and Sunday for some fresh air and neighborhood history.

Monday, March 16
- Movie: Voyage of the Rock Aliens | GA on Film | Plaza Theater Atlanta
- CPNO Monthly Meeting March | Candler Park
- Jonathan McReynolds – Closer: One Night Only | Decatur
- Seitan 101 | La Semilla

Tuesday, March 17
- Lucky Libations & Leprechaun Karaoke at Vesper | Atlanta Beltline
- 529 St. Paddy's Day Party | East Atlanta Village
- Nine Dot is the New Lucky Sip this St. Pat’s Day | Downtown Decatur
- Rainbow Kitten Surprise w/ Common People | The Eastern
- Braxton Cook | City Winery Atlanta

Wednesday, March 18
- Wednesday Walk & Talk | Woodlands Garden
- The Voyage Quartet featuring Eva Slongo, Jimmy Grant and Samuel Farthing! | Waller's Coffee Shop
- Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers | Eddie's Attic

Thursday, March 19
- Sustainable Landscaping Volunteer Day | Legacy Park
- Serenity Within: An Evening of Self-Care | The Legacy Park Auditorium
- Boozy Bingo | The Reading Room

Friday, March 20
- Spring Equinox Guided Walk | Woodlands Garden
- Yacht Rock Revue performs Stop Making Sense | Variety Playhouse
- Marc Ribot | Wild Heaven Beer Avondale
- Candlelight: Tribute to Whitney Houston | The Chapel on Sycamore
- Only Improv in the Building | Dad's Garage

Saturday, March 21
- Phoenix Flies Park Tour | Druid Hills Civic Association
- Family Nature Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Teen Forest Lab: Insects | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Grant Park PorchFest | Grant Park
- Hashtronaut | Star Community Bar
- Fair Off the Square | East Court Square Decatur
- Mike Gordon | Variety Playhouse

Sunday, March 22
- Phoenix Flies Park Tours | Druid Hills Civic Association
- Meet a Ranger | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Rhye | City Winery Atlanta

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISCUSSION

Atlanta Public Schools

Discussion from the Past Week

The school board spent its weekend at Pittsburgh Yards for a two-day retreat that felt part corporate team-building, part "vision board" session for the next generation. There weren’t any high-stakes budget brawls or controversial policy votes this time; instead, the board focused on its own internal plumbing. They spent time reviewing "Strengths Finder" assessments and the "Five Languages of Work Appreciation" to figure out how to work together without the usual friction. While it sounds a bit like an HR seminar, the goal is to make the board more efficient at holding the district accountable.

But here’s the thing: it wasn't all personality tests. The board spent significant time on "APS Forward 2040," which is the district’s long-term strategic map. They are essentially trying to decide what an Atlanta education should look like fourteen years from now. A major chunk of the second day was dedicated to the "Instructional Core"—specifically, how to jumpstart literacy rates and ensure students aren't just graduating, but are actually ready for college or a career.

Also worth noting: The board is looking at how it talks to you. They discussed standardizing public engagement and how they structure their meeting cadences. While the official record currently shows "No Minutes" (meaning we don’t have a play-by-play of every debate), the takeaway is clear: the board is trying to get its own house in order before the next round of major strategic decisions for 2040 hits the table.

Atlanta City Council

Discussion from the Past Week

It was a busy week at City Hall as committees prepped for the 2026 World Cup, tackled the "nosy neighbor" issue of short-term rentals, and moved to hike parking fees for the first time in over a decade. If you’ve been frustrated by the city’s aging water pipes, there’s a massive $1.25 billion bond issuance on the table to refinance debt and fund improvements to the drinking water and sewer systems. Meanwhile, the city is asserting its independence from the Mayor’s office, pushing a Charter amendment that would stop the executive branch from "reviewing" who the Council hires for its own staff.

In a move that will affect your wallet, the Transportation Committee moved forward with a plan to raise on-street parking fees from $1.00 to $1.75 per half-hour. This is the first hike since 2010, intended to cover rising administrative costs. Speaking of moving around, the city is getting its "glow up" ready for international visitors; $34 million is being funneled into "cosmetic-type work" at Hartsfield-Jackson—think pressure washing, fresh carpet, and painting crosswalks—while another $7.6 million in federal grant money is being earmarked for "anti-drone" technology to keep the skies secure during World Cup matches.

But here’s the thing: while the city looks for ways to spend, it's also looking for ways to regulate. A new "Office of Short-Term Rentals" is being proposed within the Department of City Planning to centralize the permitting and enforcement of Airbnbs and Vrbos. On the nightlife front, the city is moving to modernize "happy hour" rules. While "all you can drink" specials remain banned, businesses might soon be allowed to offer discounts of up to 50% off menu prices. Also worth noting: Council is taking a look at $910,000 in mysterious payments made to a former clerk for "consulting" that apparently never happened, prompting a call for an independent, "conflict-free" investigation.

Finally, for the homeowners: the City Utilities committee is looking to simplify rules for "riparian buffers" (the land near streams). Currently, only single-family homeowners can easily restore these areas, but a new amendment would let the city perform stream restoration and "green infrastructure" projects on public lands without jumping through a dozen hoops.

Most notable to your neighborhood:

Meetings in the Next Week
- Committee on Council, March 16, 11:30 AM – This session will focus on the high-profile investigation into $910,000 in payments made to a former clerk and a Charter amendment to require all legislation to have a primary Council sponsor for better accountability. The committee will also consider appointing Aisha Thomas to the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
- Atlanta City Council, March 16, 1:00 PM – The full body will convene to vote on the massive "The Works" expansion on the Upper Westside, the citywide parking fee increase, and the creation of a "South Downtown Open Container District" to allow outdoor drinking in specific areas through early 2027. They will also review audits of the airport's rental car center and the city's "blight tax" program.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

DeKalb County is currently in "fix-it" mode, moving massive amounts of money to address aging infrastructure and modern headaches. At the March 10 meeting, the Board moved forward with a $21 million contract for major gravity sewer line restoration. It’s the kind of unglamorous, "under-the-hood" work that keeps the county functioning, but the price tag shows just how much catching up there is to do. Interestingly, the county is also putting $300,000 toward a study to see if they should create a dedicated Water and Sewer Authority—basically a specialized spin-off entity—to manage these massive utilities.

The Board is also hitting the "pause" button on the data center gold rush. In response to mounting community concerns about noise and energy use, they discussed a resolution that would require a full health and environmental impact study before any new data centers can get their land disturbance permits. It’s a move that signals the county isn’t willing to trade neighborhood peace for tech tax dollars without a closer look.

On the public safety and services front, the Commissioners approved a $22.2 million contract extension for the Lifeline Animal Project to keep running the county animal shelter through 2027. They also greenlit over $3 million for repairs at police precincts and formally adopted the implementation plan for the "DeKalb County Day Center," a central hub designed to provide coordinated services for residents experiencing homelessness.

Most notable to your neighborhood: The Board approved $21,500 in park bond funding to develop a Master Plan for the property at 1634 Briarcliff Road. This vacant parcel in the Druid Hills area has been a point of local interest, and this funding is the first step in deciding what its permanent "public face" will look like.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Committee of the Whole, March 17 at 9:00 AM – This "pre-game" session for the full Board will dive into a controversial new Vagrancy Ordinance aimed at addressing unauthorized camping and public nuisances. They will also continue discussions on the $21 million sewer project and a $16 million refresh of the police vehicle fleet. Meanwhile, the debate over how to regulate data centers and a proposed "Blasting Ordinance" for construction oversight will carry over from last week’s session.

DeKalb County School District

Discussion from the Past Week

In a move that confirms keeping school hallways shiny and roofs over heads doesn’t come cheap, the DeKalb Board of Education cracked open the checkbook last Monday to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. The board approved a massive slate of contracts aimed at the "nuts and bolts" of the district. The heavy hitters included a $10 million contract for general maintenance supplies and a $12 million renewal for supplemental custodial services—because, as it turns out, keeping dozens of schools clean requires a small army of contractors.

Meanwhile, the board is also looking to brighten things up—literally—with a $2.9 million district-wide interior lighting upgrade. On the human resources front, they’ve acknowledged that the teacher shortage isn't going away on its own, greenlighting a $1 million, three-year recruitment and retention incentive program specifically designed to lure and keep educators in high-needs schools. In "Friday Night Lights" news, Stephenson High is getting a track renovation and three other schools are getting new bleachers, signaling a push to catch up on athletic infrastructure.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
The board approved a $7.6 million architectural contract amendment for the long-planned modernization of Druid Hills High School. This is a major milestone for the project, which has been a point of high-octane debate for years. While it’s just one step in the bureaucratic process, it’s the legal and financial green light needed to keep the design and overhaul of the campus moving forward.

DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION NEARBY

Permits
- Ridgecrest Ct — Someone in Lake Claire is dropping a cool $320K on a massive renovation. We’re talking a new kitchen, a bonus room, and a brand-new rear deck. Sounds like the neighborhood’s "host with the most" just leveled up.
- 1784 N Decatur Rd NE — Big things are brewing near Emory Village. This project involves a full renovation of the existing building plus "sitework," so keep an eye out for equipment and a fresh look for this commercial hub.
- 1653 McLendon Ave NE — This commercial space is getting a serious glow-up. Between new 100-amp electrical panels, plumbing for new restrooms, and a fresh HVAC system, it looks like a new neighbor is prepping to move in right across from the park.
- 1189 Euclid Ave NE — The physical therapy office here is stretching its legs with a new addition to the existing 2,040 sq ft space. Expect a bit of construction noise while they expand.
- Lullwater Rd — A $89K roofing project is underway to replace clay tiles with synthetic slate. It’ll keep that classic Druid Hills aesthetic without the heavy lifting.
- 1643 McLendon Ave NE — More commercial TLC for McLendon! This one is a quick HVAC upgrade with a high-tech media filter. Better air for everyone.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 42/Moreland Avenue at Arkwright Place — If you use Moreland to zip down toward Glenwood Park, heads up: crews are installing a median to turn Arkwright into a right-in/right-out only setup. It’s going to make that stretch a lot safer, but expect some orange-cone chaos while they restrict those left-turn movements.
- I-20 Lighting Upgrades (DeKalb and Fulton Counties) — Driving I-20 at night is about to get a whole lot brighter. Work is officially underway to swap out old, dim lights for energy-efficient LEDs between Capitol Avenue and Flat Shoals Road. Watch for nighttime lane shifts while the bucket trucks are out.
- SR 260/Glenwood Avenue Pedestrian Improvements — Keep an eye out for crews near Haas, Eastside, Brownwood, and Joseph Avenues. They’re installing those flashing pedestrian beacons (RRFBs) to make crossing the street a little less of a gamble. Great for walkers, but watch for quick lane closures during the install.

Construction Work Program
- SR 8/SR 10/US 23 (Ponce De Leon Ave) over Lullwater Creek — Bridge maintenance is on the horizon near Fernbank. It’s a small stretch (0.4 miles away), but expect some lane shifts once they start tinkering with the bridge structure over the creek.
- SR 8/US 23 (Ponce De Leon Ave) Drainage Improvements — Stretching from South Ponce to Ridgecrest Road, GDOT is planning to address the soggy spots on this urban arterial. It’s early days, but this will eventually mean crews digging along the shoulder.
- SR 8 (Ponce De Leon Ave) at East Lake Road and North Ponce/Parkwood — Heads up, we’ve got roundabouts in our future! Two of them are planned for these tricky intersections near the edge of Druid Hills. It should help traffic flow, but the construction phase will definitely be a "take the long way home" situation.
- SR 8/US 23 at SR 42 (Ponce & Moreland/Briarcliff) — This project spans both DeKalb and Fulton counties and aims to fix the bottleneck at this iconic (and frustrating) intersection. They’re planning to extend the westbound left-turn lane and add a new right-turn lane to keep things moving.
- DeKalb Avenue at CSX Railroad Crossing — New 2-quadrant warning devices are coming to the railroad crossing near the Lake Claire/Candler Park border. It's a quick safety upgrade that shouldn't disrupt your commute too much once work begins.
- Scott Blvd Complete Streets Plan — This major corridor just 1.5 miles away is earmarked for a "Complete Streets" makeover. Expect a focus on making the road safer for more than just cars, which is a big win for the area's overall walkability.
- SR 42/US 23 (Moreland Ave) from DeKalb Ave to Austin Ave — Currently in the scoping phase, GDOT is looking to narrow the travel lanes here from 11.5 feet to 10 feet. The goal is to calm traffic on this busy stretch between Little Five Points and the Edgewood retail district.
- Atlanta Ave at CSX & Adair Street Realignment — This notoriously awkward crossing is finally getting a realignment and updated railroad safety features. It’s technically on the edge of the area, but if you use this cut-through to get toward Decatur, you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on it.

Service Requests
- Traffic Signal Repair — At the intersection of Ponce de Leon Ave and Oakdale Rd. Let's hope for a quick fix before the rush hour "negotiations" get too spicy.
- Potholes — DeKalb Ave and Clifton Rd. A classic DeKalb Ave obstacle course update—watch your alignment out there.