East Atlanta: Left Turns Gone on Moreland, and Fringe Fest Incoming

Hey, East Atlanta! A busy week on the ground and in the meeting rooms. The intersection at Moreland and Arkwright is getting a permanent reconfiguration that will eliminate left turns, so if that's part of your daily route, now's the time to find your workaround. Fringe Fest is here for the next two weeks; not one to miss out on! And if you run a local business, there's still a window to get in on World Cup vendor opportunities, so don't sleep on it.

- News — Fringe Fest is packing Eastside venues through May 31, the Fulton Commission chair race heads to a June 16 runoff, and the city is spotlighting its underground flood defense after the latest round of flash flooding.
- Business — A 42-unit affordable housing development just opened in Reynoldstown, serving residents earning 30% or less of area median income — a meaningful arrival on a corridor where affordability has been slipping fast.
- Events — The Atlanta Cat 100 takes over Grant Park streets this Saturday, Punch Brothers hit The Eastern the same night, and Fringe Fest keeps the Eastside humming all week long.
- Government — DeKalb is moving toward higher sanitation fees and two new roundabouts, Atlanta City Council has a packed week of committee meetings touching everything from a Zone 6 precinct lease on Hosea Williams Drive to a proposed BeltLine self-storage ban, and a rezoning at 708 Kirkwood Ave is scheduled to be heard Monday.
- Construction — Left turns are being cut at Moreland and Arkwright for good, LED upgrades are underway along I-20, EV charging is coming to Glenwood Ave, and potholes are piling up on Gaskill, Carroll, and Emerson.

Let's dive in.

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Fulton County Commission Chair Race Heads to June Runoff
Longtime Chairman Robb Pitts and former Commissioner Mo Ivory are headed to a June 16 runoff after neither cleared a majority in the primary. The stakes are real — whoever leads the Fulton Commission controls property tax assessments, the county's judicial system, and regional health services, so this one's worth marking on your calendar.

Atlanta's Eastside Braces as Fringe Fest Unleashes Two Weeks of Weird
The 13th annual Atlanta Fringe Festival runs through May 31, filling Eastside venues with experimental theater and performance art that defies easy description — which is kind of the point. If you're near EAV or Little Five Points this week, plan ahead: foot traffic is up and parking is not.

City Highlights Underground Flood Defense After Recent Flash Flooding
After the latest round of flash flooding, city officials are drawing attention to the massive underground infrastructure quietly being built to handle extreme runoff. It won't fix what's already underwater, but it's the kind of long-game investment that could finally keep the eastside corridors from turning into rivers every time a storm rolls through.

Local Businesses Encouraged to Join World Cup Vendor Pool
Showcase Atlanta is making the case that it's not too late for East Atlanta Village entrepreneurs to get a seat at the FIFA World Cup table — vendor slots and grants for neighborhood watch parties are still on the table. With millions of visitors headed to the city, this is a rare opportunity for local businesses to punch well above their usual weight.

DeKalb County Commission and School Board Races Head to Runoffs
Several consequential DeKalb County races didn't settle on May 19, and now voters will head back to the polls to decide who leads both the County Commission and the School Board. Local governance and education policy hang in the balance — two areas where the wrong call tends to echo for years.

BUSINESS

111 Moreland - opening - This 42-unit affordable housing development in Reynoldstown officially opened its doors on May 18, offering dedicated rental homes to individuals and families earning 30% or less of the area median income — a meaningful addition to a corridor where affordability has become increasingly hard to come by.

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The Atlanta Cat 100 is rolling into Grant Park this Saturday, and if you're anywhere near the neighborhood, you'll want to plan accordingly. This cycling event brings a serious field and real road energy to the streets around the park — expect crowds, route closures, and the kind of buzz that makes the whole area feel alive.

Tuesday, May 26
- Gene's Memorial Day Party | Gene's
- Tsushimamire | The Earl
- Oakland Tour | Oakland Cemetery
- Summer Safari Camp at Zoo Atlanta | Zoo Atlanta

Wednesday, May 27
- Atlanta Fringe Festival 2026 | 14th Annual Atlanta Fringe Festival
- Trainer for a Day: World of Wild Theater | Zoo Atlanta
- Oakland Tour | Oakland Cemetery

Thursday, May 28
- Parker Smith Songs: ATL Songs | Buteco
- THE LOT LIZARDS | 529 Bar
- Sloping | The Earl
- Keeper for a Day: Elephants | Zoo Atlanta
- Oakland Tour | Oakland Cemetery

Friday, May 29
- Insane Clown Posse | The Eastern
- Cowboy Bingo | Cabbagetown Neighborhood Improvement Association
- One of Nine | 529 Bar
- GG King | The Earl
- Oakland Tour | Oakland Cemetery

Saturday, May 30
- Atlanta Cat 100 | Grant Park
- Punch Brothers | The Eastern
- The Collectibles | 529 Bar
- Del Roscoe | The Earl
- Behind the Stones: Preservation Tour | Oakland Cemetery
- Elephant Wild Encounter at Zoo Atlanta | Zoo Atlanta
- Oakland Tour | Oakland Cemetery

Sunday, May 31
- Love Stories of Oakland | Oakland Cemetery
- Mornings at the Zoo | Zoo Atlanta
- Oakland Tour | Oakland Cemetery

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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 Atlanta City Council and its committees tackled a dense agenda on May 18, highlighted by a move to commission a study on privatizing security screenings at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. In a win for families, the council approved a fee relief measure to ensure children qualifying for free lunch can attend city summer camps at no cost. Legislators also passed a significant street abandonment to facilitate Georgia State University’s expansion and approved rezoning for new workforce housing in Northwest Atlanta. While the council moved to dissolve several inactive city boards to streamline government, they opted to hold a proposal that would have required certified police officers at all city recreation centers used as polling sites. Additionally, the Community Development committee reviewed plans to transition several industrial corridors into high-density mixed-use hubs, though outcomes are pending the release of official minutes. Major decisions regarding next year's billion-dollar city budget and property tax rates were deferred, giving the public more time to review the spending plan before a final vote.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners – Committee of the Whole

The DeKalb County Committee of the Whole met May 21 and advanced several items that could directly affect what residents pay — the committee accepted tentative 2026 property tax millage rates, the first formal step toward setting this year's tax bills, and moved forward proposals to raise fees for both residential and commercial sanitation service as well as public parking at county facilities. On the infrastructure side, the committee signaled support for two GDOT roundabout projects — one at Ponce De Leon Avenue and another at Clairmont Road — moves that could meaningfully reshape traffic flow at two busy intersections. The committee also advanced a proposal to hold a public hearing on extending the county's existing moratorium on adult entertainment businesses, keeping that policy question alive for now. On the spending side, $98,750 was approved from District 1 reserves for a childcare and caregiving needs assessment, and District 3 saw several smaller community grants approved, including $15,000 for senior home repairs. Because this committee primarily sets the agenda for the full Board of Commissioners rather than making final decisions, most of the bigger-ticket items — including the millage rates, fee increases, and roundabout resolutions — will require a second vote before becoming official.

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners met May 20 and approved more than $5.3 million in grants to nonprofit organizations through the county's 2026 Community Services Program, which funds social services across the county. In a notable policy move, commissioners voted 5-0 to ask the Fulton County Sheriff to use existing authority to turn away bookings for certain misdemeanor offenses — an attempt to ease chronic jail overcrowding and prioritize space for people charged with more serious crimes. Looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the board unanimously backed a resolution to support independent small businesses in South Downtown, aiming to ensure locally owned shops and restaurants can capture some of the economic activity the tournament is expected to generate. Commissioners also voted to legally challenge Georgia House Bill 369, a new state law that would require nonpartisan elections for county officers and district attorneys in Fulton and several other metro counties starting in 2028 — a move with significant implications for how local elections are structured going forward. On the routine spending side, the board approved a $54,350 agreement with GDOT to relocate sewer lines to make room for turn-lane improvements at Fulton Industrial Boulevard, and expanded senior services contracts by $90,000 for centers in Alpharetta and College Park. Because minutes have not yet been posted for this meeting, outcomes described here are based on the agenda and post-agenda materials — any item may have been tabled, amended, or handled differently than scheduled.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee
- 708 Kirkwood Avenue SE — A proposal to rezone the property from low-density residential to low-density mixed-use is on the agenda, which could allow for a small business or shop to operate at the site.

Meetings This Week
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Committee of the Whole — Tuesday, May 26 at 9:00 AM
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Regular Meeting — Tuesday, May 26 at 9:00 AM
Commissioners are scheduled to take up the county's tentative 2026 millage rates, proposed fee increases for residential trash pickup and stormwater management, and a $1.86 million security upgrade at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport. Road safety is also on the agenda, with roundabouts proposed at Ponce De Leon Ave. at East Lake Road and Clairmont Road at Rosecliff Drive.

- Atlanta City Council — City Utilities Committee — Tuesday, May 26 at 10:00 AM
The committee is scheduled to consider proposed adjustments to solid waste service fees, a transfer of $8.5 million toward citywide road resurfacing, and a new ordinance defining when property owners are required to connect to the public sewer system. A $20 million funding transfer for sanitary sewer repairs and an $822,567 contract amendment for Greensferry Stream restoration are also on the agenda.

- Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee — Tuesday, May 26 at 11:00 AM
- Atlanta City Council — Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee — Tuesday, May 26 at 1:00 PM
The committee will take up a temporary suspension of open-container restrictions in Downtown Atlanta for the FIFA World Cup (June 11–July 19), a new compensation plan for Atlanta Fire Rescue, and a resolution to restrict APD's use of field drug tests as a basis for arrest. A proposed 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses in the Edgewood Corridor remains held in committee.

- Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee — Tuesday, May 26 at 1:30 PM
A sweeping neighborhood investment ordinance is on the agenda that would extend Tax Allocation Districts and establish a new Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative trust fund, alongside a $7.8 million proposal to acquire nearly 30 acres of forested land in Northwest Atlanta. Final votes are also scheduled on rezoning several West Midtown industrial properties to high-density mixed use, and a $735,000 affordable housing investment at Sweet Auburn Grande. A rezoning proposal at 708 Kirkwood Ave SE — from Low Density Residential to Low Density Mixed Use — is scheduled to be heard.

- Atlanta City Council — Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee — Tuesday, May 26 at 3:00 PM
The committee is scheduled to consider a $3.5 million contract for APD body cameras and a counter-drone security system, as well as a proposed lease for a new Zone 6 Police Precinct at 2025 Hosea Williams Drive SE. The proposed 180-day freeze on new alcohol licenses in the Edgewood Corridor will also be before the committee. A claim related to an automobile incident on Moreland Ave SE is on the agenda.

- Atlanta City Council — Transportation Committee — Wednesday, May 27 at 10:00 AM
The committee is scheduled to consider over $15 million in funding for the PATH trail network — including a new $8 million PATH Westside Connector agreement and expanded funding for the PATH 400 Trail — alongside a $6 million GDOT grant for street resurfacing. Also on the agenda: a $3.6 million Peachtree Street improvement project, pedestrian upgrades on Campbellton Road, residential parking changes on Lakeview Avenue NE, and a resolution to add dedicated bike and vehicle lanes along the Atlanta BeltLine.

- Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee — Wednesday, May 27 at 11:00 AM
A proposed ordinance that would ban new self-storage facilities within the BeltLine Overlay District is scheduled to be heard, along with a major rezoning proposal that would convert large blocks along Logan Circle and Chattahoochee Avenue from heavy industrial to high-density mixed use. The committee will also consider a waiver request at 1675 Memorial Drive SE for a service station in a neighborhood commercial district, duplex rezonings in Northwest Atlanta, and new special use permit requirements for medical cannabis dispensaries.

- Atlanta City Council — Finance/Executive Committee — Wednesday, May 27 at 1:30 PM
Atlanta's FIFA World Cup preparations are expected to dominate the agenda, with a proposal to ratify an executive order creating a Downtown "activation zone" that would lift outdoor event restrictions from June 11 to July 19. The committee is also scheduled to consider the FY2027 property tax rates, a utility easement at Fire Station 26 to advance the Howell Mill Road Complete Street project, and the proposed annexation of properties on Woodland Avenue NE into the city.

- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Zoning Meeting — Thursday, May 28 at 5:30 PM
A proposal from D.R. Horton to build a 214-unit single-family subdivision on Norris Lake Way is the headliner, along with a cluster of special permit requests for a new QuikTrip — including a car wash, fuel pumps, and alcohol sales — at 4733 Memorial Drive. The board will also consider county-wide ordinance updates governing short-term rental taxes and a new "Repeated Nuisance" penalty framework for problem properties.

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Permits

- 461 Flat Shoals Ave SE — White-box buildout filed for an existing commercial space, with interior demo and new wall subdivisions. A tenant is getting ready to move in — worth watching to see what opens up along this Flat Shoals corridor.
- 750 Glenwood Ave SE — A 3,100 sq ft tenant space is being built out with two new offices and a breakroom. Commercial activity picking up on Glenwood.
- 951 Glenwood Ave SE — A Tesla Wall Connector EV charger is going in at this commercial address. Level 2, 11.5kW — the charging infrastructure buildout continues, one parking lot at a time.
- 791 Wylie St SE — Interior renovation underway in a Reynoldstown multifamily unit, splitting one bathroom into two. Routine, but a sign that older units in the building are getting updated.
- 545 Hill St SE — Two permits filed here: a security vestibule upgrade with new door operators, and a fire sprinkler addition. New construction trailer also spotted at 195 Chester Ave SE, suggesting active site prep nearby.

On the residential side, there were 40 additional permits logged across the area — mostly electrical work, minor interior alterations, and arborist visits (10 of those, notably — a lot of trees being assessed this week).

Road Work

Under Construction
- I-20 Lighting Upgrade (Capitol Ave to Flat Shoals Rd) — GDOT is replacing outdated high-pressure sodium fixtures with LED lighting along this stretch of I-20 spanning both Fulton and DeKalb counties. Expect periodic nighttime lane activity as crews work through the corridor.
- SR 42/Moreland Ave at Arkwright Place — Intersection Reconfiguration — This Fulton County project is converting the Moreland Ave and Arkwright Place intersection into a right-in/right-out only. A new median will eliminate left turns and prohibit through movements at that point. If you regularly turn left here, start planning your alternate now.
- SR 154/Memorial Drive — Pedestrian Crossing Improvements — Active work is underway at multiple locations along SR 154 across DeKalb and Fulton counties, including a new mid-block pedestrian crossing, a right-in/right-out restriction, and a Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) between Hill Street and Pearl Street. Expect shifting traffic patterns near these intersections.
- SR 260/Glenwood Ave — Pedestrian Safety Beacons — Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFBs) are being installed at several crossings along SR 260, including at Brownwood Ave, Joseph Ave, Haas Ave, and Eastside Ave in DeKalb County. Short-term lane interruptions are likely near each installation site.

Pre-Construction
- BeltLine Southside Trail – Glenwood Ave to Woodward Ave (Fulton County) — This segment of the Southside Trail (Segment 6) will run along Bill Kennedy Way (SR 154 Connector) and includes a new trail bridge over I-20. Still in the funding/pre-bid phase, but when it breaks ground, expect some disruption along Bill Kennedy Way near Glenwood Park and Ormewood Park.
- BeltLine Southside Trail – Faith Ave to SR 154 (Fulton County) — A companion segment to the above, also along the SR 154 Connector corridor. Together, these two segments will stitch together a meaningful stretch of the Southside Trail — good news for the long game, even if construction is still a ways off.
- SR 154/Memorial Drive Corridor Improvements (Fulton County) — Sidewalk expansions along Memorial Drive between Connally Street and Grant Street, filling gaps and bringing existing walks up to ADA standards. A quality-of-life upgrade for pedestrians cutting through this busy stretch near Grant Park and Reynoldstown.
- SR 154 – Connally St to Grant St Auxiliary Lanes (Fulton County) — Auxiliary lane additions along the same Memorial Drive stretch. Paired with the sidewalk project above, this corridor is due for a meaningful overhaul — watch this one.
- Atlanta Traffic Signal Enhancements – Phase II (DeKalb & Fulton Counties) — Signal upgrades, updated detection equipment, fiber/4G communications, ADA ramp improvements, and retimed signals at intersections across both counties. Broader in scope than it sounds — better-timed lights on key corridors could ease some of the daily grind on routes through East Atlanta.

Service Requests

Potholes are popping up across the area, with reports filed on Gaskill St SE, Carroll St SE, Emerson Ave, and at the intersection of Hansell and Muse streets.

Litter along public rights-of-way drew attention at Wylie & Krog, Martin St & MLK Jr Dr, and Chester Ave SE. Overgrowth and visibility issues were flagged nearby on Glenwood Ave SE (including the stretch from Cherokee Ave to Boulevard SE) and at Cleveland St & Wylie St — that last corridor sees enough foot and bike traffic to make sight-line obstructions worth watching.

A sign repair or replacement is underway at Woodward Ave SE and Bill Kennedy Way SE. A downed tree was reported on Stovall but logged as a duplicate or cancelled request.