East Atlanta: New Townhomes Heading to EAV and a Wind Phone for Oakland Cemetery

Welcome to this week's update for East Atlanta, keeping you informed on everything happening in our corner of the city. This week, we’re highlighting new housing developments near the Village and saying a difficult goodbye to a local favorite po'boy shop.

Big Stories — Oakland Cemetery is now home to a symbolic "wind phone" for grieving visitors, and the new Array townhome project is bringing more housing to the EAV area. We also cover the start of local election qualifying and the Beltline's new "ATL Spoke" transit pilot.

Local Business Updates — Just Loaf'n has permanently closed its East Atlanta Village location, citing economic challenges and facility construction issues.

Upcoming Events — Cat Power performs at The Eastern, while The EARL and 529 host a packed lineup of live music throughout the week. You can also catch the Bond Girl Revue drag series at Vesper or head to Zoo Atlanta for several specialty programs.

Local Government Discussion — City Council is considering a parking fee hike and a moratorium on new alcohol licenses for the Edgewood corridor. Meanwhile, county officials are debating property tax shifts and approving new capital improvements for Zoo Atlanta.

Development & Construction Nearby — Major roadwork continues on I-20 and Moreland Avenue, including a significant realignment where Glenwood Avenue meets Moreland. New commercial permits also indicate a new retail shop and a hair salon are coming to the Memorial Drive corridor.

Let’s dive in.

Atlanta’s first wind phone finds a permanent home at Oakland Cemetery (March 03, 2026)
Oakland Cemetery has been selected as the permanent home for Atlanta’s first "wind phone," a symbolic installation where visitors can "call" deceased loved ones to aid in the grieving process. This addition offers a new way for the community to engage with the historic site and find personal connection within the neighborhood's landmark green space.

Townhomes from $330Ks bound for former Atlanta strip mall site (March 06, 2026)
The redevelopment of a long-standing southeast Atlanta shopping center is entering its next phase with a new townhome project called Array, located near the heart of East Atlanta Village. With prices starting in the $330,000s, the development aims to provide more accessible for-sale housing options in one of the city's most popular neighborhoods.

County commission, school board races on tap this year in metro Atlanta (March 08, 2026)
Candidates have begun qualifying for critical county commission and school board seats that will be on the ballot later this year. These local leaders hold significant power over property taxes, education policy, and neighborhood infrastructure, making this a pivotal election cycle for area residents.

Beltline previews first transit initiative, now dubbed 'ATL Spoke' (March 06, 2026)
The Atlanta Beltline has introduced "ATL Spoke," a new transit initiative featuring lime-green minibuses designed to improve connectivity across the corridor. While the initial service is launching in Southwest Atlanta, the pilot program represents a major step toward bringing permanent public transit to the entire Beltline loop, including the segments through Grant Park and Reynoldstown.

Just Loaf'n - closing - The New Orleans-style po'boy shop in East Atlanta Village has permanently closed its doors, with the owners citing the ongoing impact of a slow economy and unresolved facility construction issues as reasons for the difficult decision. (March 07, 2026)

Monday, March 09
- Wine pairing dinner | Trattoria Lucia

Tuesday, March 10
- Bond Girl Revue: Vesper’s Monthly Drag Series | Vesper Atlanta
- Drook | The EARL

Wednesday, March 11
- Bond Girl Revue: Vesper’s Monthly Drag Series | Vesper Atlanta
- Spring HomeSchool Academy at Zoo Atlanta (K-12) | Zoo Atlanta
- MX Lonely | The EARL
- Karaoke Night! | 529 EAV

Thursday, March 12
- LiveKill | 529 EAV
- Cat Power ‘The Greatest' 20th Anniversary Tour | The Eastern
- Twen | The Earl

Friday, March 13
- An Evening with Cat Power: The Greatest Tour- 20th Anniversary performance | The Eastern
- Direct Depozit Presents: The 401(k)omedy Show | Metropolitan Studios
- School and Group NightCrawler Overnight | Zoo Atlanta
- Bible Belt Massacre | 529 EAV
- Levity presents LASERSHIP | The Eastern
- Small Reactions | The Earl

Saturday, March 14
- Levity presents LASERSHIP | The Eastern
- Engines of Ruin in Atlanta at 529 EAV | 529 Bar
- Educator Appreciation Day | Zoo Atlanta
- Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl | CRU Lounge - Edgewood
- 22nd Annual Bloom Ball | Zoo Atlanta
- School and Group NightCrawler Overnight | Zoo Atlanta
- Petting Zoo Painters | Zoo Atlanta
- Filth | 529 EAV
- Rose Hotel | The Earl

Sunday, March 15
- Trainer for a Day: World of Wild Theater | Zoo Atlanta
- Slow Parade | Cabbagetown Park

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board prioritized long-term fiscal oversight and healthcare infrastructure. A major resolution was passed to hire an independent contractor for a comprehensive audit of the $1 billion-plus 2026 budget to ensure financial transparency. Commissioners also formally urged the Georgia General Assembly to reject legislation that would eliminate property taxes, noting that such a move would jeopardize 80% of the county's annual revenue. In a significant policy shift regarding public health, the Board proposed reallocating at least 2% of the county budget toward the construction of new hospital facilities in Atlanta and South Fulton, citing the critical gap left by the closure of Atlanta Medical Center. Additionally, the county approved over $536,000 for consulting services to help the Fulton County Jail meet Department of Justice Consent Decree requirements for facility maintenance and tracking.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
800 Cherokee Ave SE (Zoo Atlanta): The Board approved the appropriation of $145,947.06 for capital improvements at the Zoo, which serves as a primary anchor for the Grant Park neighborhood.

Other topics:
The Board approved more than $800,000 in federal grant contracts for various municipal improvements in South Fulton and North Fulton cities, including playground upgrades and water main replacements. Other approved measures include a $262,667 contract for printing and mailing new voter precinct cards and a mandate for county facilities to display QR codes directing residents to voter ID resources. Infrastructure spending also included a $2.4 million agreement for water main relocations in Johns Creek and renovations at the county airport.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Committee of the Whole and the Planning Commission advanced several high-priority infrastructure and policy items that are set for final consideration at the upcoming March 10 meeting. A major focus was placed on the county’s aging infrastructure, with the committee moving forward a $21 million contract for gravity sewer line restoration and $19 million for water valve replacements. Additionally, the commissioners discussed a $500,000 allocation to evaluate sites for a new Public Safety Training Facility, a move that follows regional trends in prioritizing dedicated training centers for first responders.

Public health and safety funding also saw significant movement through the advancement of $9 million in SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funds for health facility improvements and $3 million for repairs to police precincts. Of note for county-wide service management, the board reviewed a $22.2 million contract extension for LifeLine Animal Project to continue operating the county animal shelter through 2027. The committee also moved forward with the "DeKalb County Day Center" implementation plan, a strategic framework designed to centralize and expand services for residents experiencing homelessness.

The board also began addressing the rapid growth of industrial technology by introducing a resolution to require a health and environmental impact study before issuing land disturbance permits for data centers. This reflects growing concerns regarding the heavy energy and water demands these facilities place on local infrastructure.

Other topics:
The Planning Commission reviewed 14 cases involving diverse development types, including proposals for new cottage home communities, senior housing, and a recycling plant. Most of these cases were recommended to move forward for a final vote by the Board of Commissioners on March 26. Additionally, the Committee of the Whole accepted various routine items for the consent agenda, such as $275,000 for tire recycling at the Seminole Landfill and approximately $40,000 in park bond funding for master planning and improvements at various county parks.

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 moved from last week's committee meeting, including the $21 million sewer restoration contract, the homelessness services implementation plan, and the $22.2 million animal services contract. They will also vote on a resolution regarding a health and environmental impact study for future data center developments. Significant infrastructure funding is also on the agenda for police precincts and health facilities outside the immediate neighborhood.

Atlanta City Council

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Council moved forward on several major policy changes this week, most notably a proposed increase in on-street metered parking fees from $1.00 to $1.75 per half-hour. This is the first such increase in 15 years and is intended to cover rising administrative costs. Significant preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup also took center stage, with approvals for the "Wi-Fi World Cup Initiative" to install smart streetlight infrastructure and digital connectivity across the city.

In a push for public safety reform, a resolution was introduced requesting the Atlanta Police Department to prioritize community-based diversion for low-level offenses rather than custodial arrests. The Council also began discussing the creation of a centralized "Office of Short-Term Rentals" to manage registration and enforcement for platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, as well as a new "Open Container District" to support South Downtown revitalization. Additionally, a 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses in the Edgewood Corridor is being considered following recent local safety concerns.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
In Reynoldstown, the Council considered an ordinance to grant a distance requirement exemption for a package store at 1675 Memorial Drive, SE. In Grant Park, the Committee on Council recommended accepting a $1,000 donation from Zoo Atlanta (800 Cherokee Avenue, SE) in the form of a waived rental fee for the upcoming 2026 City Council Retreat. The Council also reviewed a one-year lease extension for the Cabbagetown Center to continue community services through 2027.

Other topics:
Proposed City Charter amendments would limit mandatory ethics and legislative training to newly elected officials only, rather than requiring veterans to repeat courses. Another Charter amendment seeks to streamline how vacancies on city boards are filled by allowing council committees to nominate candidates if a seat remains empty for more than 31 days.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Zoning Committee, March 09, 2026 at 11:00 AM: The committee will review major rezonings including "The Works" expansion and new affordable townhomes on County Line Road. Locally, they will consider the residential renovation of a church property at 708 Kirkwood Avenue, SE and a 47-unit multifamily development nearby at 78 and 88 Howard Street, NE.
- Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee, March 09, 2026 at 1:00 PM: Agenda items include a $7.6 million federal grant for World Cup anti-drone technology and the proposed Edgewood Avenue alcohol license moratorium.
- City Utilities Committee, March 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM: Discussion will focus on $21 million in watershed funding and a contract extension for improvements at the East Area Water Quality Control Facility. The committee will also vote on raising levee systems to protect the RM Clayton Water Reclamation Center from flooding.
- Community Development/Human Services Committee, March 10, 2026 at 1:30 PM: Key topics include the creation of the Office of Short-Term Rentals and land acquisition for affordable housing near the Beltline. Notable local items include a lease extension for the community center at 177 Estoria Street, SE in Cabbagetown.
- Transportation Committee, March 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM: This meeting features public hearings on the metered parking fee increase and the renaming of Lee Street and Fulton Street. It also covers $34 million in "cosmetic" airport upgrades to ensure the city is "World Cup ready" for international visitors.
- Finance/Executive Committee, March 11, 2026 at 1:30 PM: The committee will consider a massive $1.25 billion bond issuance for water and sewer infrastructure and several annexation petitions for properties in DeKalb County, including parcels on Sargent Avenue, Smith Street, and Ford Street, SE.

Atlanta NPU

Meetings in the Next Week
- NPU-W, March 11, 2026 at 6:30 PM.

Permits

Here’s a look at the latest activity from the city's planning department. From new businesses popping up in East Atlanta Village to some fresh construction in Reynoldstown and Grant Park, here are the permits you should know about this week:

- 1060 Memorial Dr SE — Commercial alteration permit to convert an existing assembly space into a new retail shop.
- 519 Memorial Dr SE — Commercial permit for a new aesthetics business offering facials, waxing, and lash services.
- 1 Moreland Ave SE — Commercial conversion to open a new hair salon specializing in textured hair, braids, and silk presses right at the edge of EAV.
- 1124 Wylie St SE — Roof replacement for an apartment building in Reynoldstown; expect some outdoor noise and construction crews in the area.
- 946 Cummings St SE — New construction permit for a duplex building near Grant Park.
- 468 Gift Ave SE — Residential addition and conversion to turn an existing duplex into a single-family dwelling.
- 491 Flat Shoals Ave SE — HVAC inspection and permit for a commercial space in the heart of East Atlanta Village.
- 1188 Glenwood Ave SE — Commercial permit for as-built drawings and floor plans for an existing business space.

Beyond the bigger projects, it’s going to be a busy week for tree crews. There were 20 arborist permits issued for dead or hazardous trees, along with about a dozen permits for residential additions and minor renovations across the neighborhood.

Road Work
- I-20 Concrete Rehab — Under Construction. Crews are actively on-site for a major resurfacing project on I-20 stretching from west of Hill Street over to Columbia Drive. Expect traffic impacts and lane closures while they work to improve the roadway's surface.
- I-20 @ SR 42/Moreland Ave — Under Construction. Active work is happening now to reconfigure the Moreland Avenue interchange. This operational improvement project spans about 0.3 miles from Memorial Drive down to Faith Avenue, so watch for construction crews if you’re heading toward the interstate.
- I-20 LED Lighting Upgrade — Under Construction. You’ll notice crews working between Capitol Avenue and Flat Shoals Road to replace old high-pressure sodium lights with energy-efficient LED fixtures. They are also replacing poles and conduit along this stretch.
- SR 42/Moreland Ave Pedestrian Crossings — Under Construction. New Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons are being installed to make crossing Moreland Avenue safer. Active work is happening at several spots, including the intersections at Faith Avenue, Sanders Avenue, and Custer Avenue.
- SR 260/Glenwood Ave Signal Upgrades — Under Construction. Work is underway to upgrade signals and pedestrian facilities to meet ADA standards at the intersections of Glenwood Avenue and Clifton Street, as well as Glenwood and Flat Shoals.
- SR 260/Glenwood Ave Realignment — Under Construction. Crews are actively working to realign Glenwood Avenue where it hits Moreland Avenue to eliminate the 70-foot offset. This project also includes a new 12-foot shared-use lane for the neighborhood.
- BeltLine Southside Trail: Segment 6 — Construction Work Program. This project, which covers Bill Kennedy Way between Glenwood Avenue and Woodward Avenue, is officially funded and approved. While crews aren't on-site just yet, contracts are being finalized for the trail and the new bridge over I-20, so construction is imminent.
- BeltLine Southside Trail: Faith Ave to SR 154 — Construction Work Program. This segment of the Southside Trail is also moving through the pipeline. It is approved and funded, with construction expected to start soon once the final paperwork is cleared.
- SR 260/Glenwood Ave Pedestrian Beacons — Under Construction. Expect to see crews on Glenwood Avenue near Brownwood Avenue and Joseph Avenue. They are currently installing Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) to help neighbors cross the street safely.

Service Requests

Here is a look at what’s been on the radar for city services around our neck of the woods this week. If you see something that needs fixing, remember to keep those 311 reports coming!

- Potholes — Reported along Boulevard SE, Flat Shoals Ave SE, Flat Shoals Rd SE, Ormewood Ave SE, and at the intersection of Boulevard & Hansell St.
- Traffic Signal Repairs — Non-emergency repairs requested for signals at Memorial Dr SE, Moreland Ave & Ormewood Ave, and the intersection of Wylie St SE & Moreland Ave SE.
- Illegal Dumping Investigation — Reported at the corner of Naomi St SE and 1030 Ormewood Ave.
- Sign Repair or Replacement — A request was submitted for signage maintenance on Pearl St SE.
- Downed Tree Reporting — A report was filed for a tree down on Cherokee Ave.