Presented By Green Box Homes
Druid Hills / North Decatur
Hey, Druid Hills and North Decatur! Happy back-to-school for those with kids. This week: new renderings are out for a pedestrian bridge that will finally connect the Peachtree Creek Greenway across I-85. There's plenty more to dig into below, from principal reshuffles at DeKalb schools to a $900K permit that signals serious new construction on Burnt Leaf Lane.
- News — DeKalb's data center moratorium is still in play, principal changes are coming to area schools, and a funded pedestrian bridge over I-85 just got more funding.
- Business — Lulah Hills is pulling double duty this week: L.L. Bean is opening its first-ever Georgia store there, and Refuge Coffee has quietly added a new Decatur cafe to the mix.
- Events — A pretty regular week from an events standpoint: Fernbank activities, an author night at Eagle Eye Books and a pool party at Medlock Park.
- Government — Slow week with DeKalb Commissioners on summer recess. DeKalb Schools held a closed-door executive session.
- Construction — A $900K build on Burnt Leaf, a 75-foot competition pool on South Ponce, and a $725K ADU on Lullwater headline 85-plus permits filed across the area this week.
Let's dive in.
Green Box Homes makes regenerative landscaping easy and accessible. They grow beautiful, abundant, and sustainable yards one charming home at a time.
Sustainable design - Eco-friendly practices and materials that create sustainable designs, enhancing the natural environment and promoting biodiversity.
Green installation - Ecological designs brought to life by carefully shaping land, soil, water, and plant communities into resilient, living systems that grow healthier and more abundant over time.
Stewardship - A stewardship package that ensures each project matures gracefully, stays healthy, and continues to improve ecologically over time.
NEWS
Principal shuffles hit DeKalb schools, plus a data center moratorium and a new pedestrian bridge over I-85
DeKalb Schools announces multiple principal changes
The DeKalb County School District has announced a round of principal reassignments ahead of the upcoming school year, with new leadership slated for several county schools. Families will want to check the updated roster to confirm whether their neighborhood school will have a new principal this term.
DeKalb commissioners weigh data center debate, say more research needed
DeKalb County currently has a moratorium on new data center applications in place while commissioners call for deeper research into the facilities' environmental and utility impacts. Residents in Decatur and unincorporated DeKalb have raised concerns about effects on regional power grids, noise levels, and zoning.
Back-to-school events set for Decatur, DeKalb, Atlanta
A series of back-to-school events and school supply giveaways have been scheduled across the Decatur, DeKalb County, and Atlanta public school districts. Families with children enrolled in any of these three systems can follow the link for dates, locations, and details on each event.
Fresh images: How interstate-spanning people bridge will look, function
The Decide DeKalb Development Authority has approved more than $588,000 to help fund a pedestrian bridge that will span the interstate and connect segments of the Peachtree Creek Greenway. New renderings show how the structure will look and operate as a key link between Brookhaven and Druid Hills.
BUSINESS
L.L. Bean makes its Georgia debut at Lulah Hills, joined by Refuge Coffee's new Decatur cafe
Refuge Coffee Co. - opening - The community-focused non-profit coffee spot has expanded its presence in Decatur with a new cafe location at Lulah Hills.
L.L.Bean - opening - We covered this last week too, but this article has a helpful reminder of all the confirmed retail, restaurants, and housing coming to Lulah Hills.
Daily news for curious minds.
Be the smartest person in the room. 1440 navigates 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive, unbiased news roundup — politics, business, culture, and more — in a quick, 5-minute read. Completely free, completely factual.
EVENTS | Presented by
Peace of Mind Recycling is your one stop shop for a convenient and affordable way to make sure your recyclables actually get… recycled! With Atlanta's city recycling services your guess is as good as ours in regards to what actually gets recycled. We document where we take your glass, metal, electronics & everything else so you can rest assured it's going to the good place 100% of the time.
Monday, July 27
- What's Your Favorite Fox Theatre Memory? | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- StoryWalk® at Mason Mill Park | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Weekday Winning: Mega Mondays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Story Time | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Books and Babies Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Toddler Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
Tuesday, July 28
- Weekday Winning Toco Tuesdays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Wednesday, July 29
- LEGO Legends Club | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Dino Talk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Preschool Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Drop-In Technology Support | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
Thursday, July 30
- H.M. Wolfe & Julian Winters - Daggermouth | Eagle Eye Book Shop
- Crafty Conversations: Nautical Glass Mosaic Picture Frame | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Weekday Winning: Thirsty Thursday | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Friday, July 31
- O God My Heart is Ready Opening Reception | Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
- July Front Yard Friday - Trisha and Ralph | Sagamore Hills Civic Association
- LATER: Rex Factor | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- UNCLE MIKE BAND | Napoleon's Grill
- Dave Deckebach | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Friday Movies | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Dino Talk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Saturday, August 1
- Summer Pool Party 2026 | Medlock Area Neighborhood Association
- A VOICE IN THE DARK Book Launch & Film Trailer Preview | Double Zero
- LAUGHS AT LONDZELL | Londzell Performing Arts Theatre
- Live Music: Cyrus at 4 pm | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- 19th annual Jerry Day Atlanta + The Days Between concerts | Avon Theater
Sunday, August 2
- The Summer Singers of Atlanta present Arthur Honeggar's KING DAVID | Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church
- Local Dog | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Magnolia Run 5k & 2k | Piedmont Park
GOVERNMENT
School board meets behind closed doors
Note: our information comes from posted meetings documents (agendas and minutes when available) — latest source document hyperlinked to each meeting.
Past Week Roundup
The Board held a Called Meeting and Executive Session on July 22, but it was a closed session with a vague agenda and no published minutes.
CONSTRUCTION
A $900K build on Burnt Leaf, a 75-foot competition pool on S Ponce, and 83 more permits filed
Permits
The biggest action this week is on Lullwater Rd, where someone's putting up a detached ADU. At $725,000 in electrical work alone, this is a substantial build. And over on Burnt Leaf Ln, a $900,000 permit filed for an electrical T-pole signals new construction is getting underway.
A few other projects worth watching:
- 1585 S Ponce de Leon Ave NE — A commercial inground gunite pool is permitted, rectangle 21' x 75' with an attached 8' x 8' spa. Public swimming pool work at this address.
- 1845 Lawrenceville Hwy — New ground sign permitted at 20 ft tall and 64 sq ft. A business is planting its flag here.
- Lullwater Rd — $725K electrical permit for a new detached ADU. This is a serious backyard build.
- Burnt Leaf Ln — $900K electrical T-pole permit. New construction is starting up.
- Memphis Dr — $215K water meter permit for Lot 16, another sign of new residential construction in the works.
- E Clifton Rd NE — $67K interior renovation. Bathroom reconfiguration and fixture replacements inside an existing home.
- International Community School — $80K electrical upgrade, including a new 800-amp service and five module panels wired in.
Beyond these, 83 additional permits covered routine residential work across the area, with an estimated combined value of $715,030. Apartment permits appeared twice in that batch, worth keeping an eye on as details become available.
Road Work
Under Construction
- Lavista EB Left Turn Lane Extension (DeKalb County) Crews are extending the eastbound left turn lane at Lavista and Clairmont. If you move through that intersection regularly, expect some disruption while work is active.
- Lavista & Shepherds Lane Signal Upgrade (DeKalb County) GDOT is upgrading the signal at Lavista and Shepherds Lane. Signal work tends to mean short delays around the intersection, so give yourself a little extra time if that's part of your route.
What did you think of this week's newsletter?
Want to sponsor us? Submit here
Want to alter your neighborhood selections? Submit here
Want to promote an event? Submit here
Until next week,
Druid Hills / North Decatur Busybody
Disclaimer: We use advanced data retrieval and analysis techniques across hundreds of sources, and may be prone to occasional error. Independently verify information with a secondary source, and please let us know if we got anything wrong via the feedback form.
