BUSYBODY EDGEWOOD / KIRKWOOD / EAST LAKE
Welcome to your weekly update for Edgewood, Kirkwood, and East Lake. This week, we’re diving into a major milestone for a controversial Kirkwood housing project and gearing up for the lively Lanta Gras parade this Saturday.
Big Stories — A controversial Kirkwood affordable housing project has cleared a major hurdle, while DeKalb schools warn of potential closures due to declining enrollment. We also have updates on I-285 toll lane concerns.
Upcoming Events — The Lanta Gras parade and festival takes over Kirkwood this Saturday, alongside nature walks at Fernbank and plenty of live music at The Earl and The Eastern. Don’t miss local highlights like the Waxwing Coffee birthday pop-up and various community runs.
Local Government Discussion — Atlanta City Council is discussing an alcohol license moratorium for the Edgewood Corridor and a proposal to rename the Kirkwood Urban Forest. Meanwhile, DeKalb officials are moving forward with nearly $50 million in sewer infrastructure upgrades and new animal shelter contracts.
Development & Construction Nearby — New residential construction is hitting Glenwood Avenue and East Lake, while GDOT continues safety improvements along Memorial Drive and the I-20 corridor.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
BIG STORIES
Kirkwood housing hurdle cleared, school enrollment drops, and $3.5M for parks
Controversial Kirkwood affordable housing proposal clears key hurdle (February 17, 2026)
A significant supportive housing project planned near Kirkwood’s historic commercial village has moved a step closer to breaking ground following a key approval. While advocates argue the development is necessary to address local affordability, the proposal continues to face fervent opposition from some neighbors concerned about the project's impact on the immediate area.
An aging population, fewer babies and empty classrooms (February 16, 2026)
The DeKalb County School District has released a sobering report detailing declining enrollment trends that will likely lead to future school closures across the county. As the local population shifts, residents in Edgewood and East Lake should prepare for potential redistricting or campus consolidations as the district adapts to having fewer students.
I-285 expansion would add toll lanes. Some neighbors worry they’ll lose their homes (February 18, 2026)
A group of DeKalb County homeowners is organizing to halt a major expansion of Interstate 285 that would introduce new toll lanes and potentially claim several residential properties. The project has sparked anxiety among those living near the perimeter who fear their homes could be demolished to make way for the multi-lane expansion.
Park Pride announces $3.5 million in funds to park projects (February 18, 2026)
The nonprofit Park Pride has unveiled its 2026 grant recipients, allocating millions of dollars for 19 capital projects across Atlanta and DeKalb County. These funds are slated for physical improvements such as new playgrounds, benches, and gathering spaces, with over 60 percent of the investment targeted toward historically disinvested community parks.
EVENTS
Lanta Gras parade, Zoo Atlanta reptiles, and Fernbank evening forest hike
Kirkwood residents should prepare for the annual Lanta Gras celebration on Saturday, February 28, featuring a community parade and festival. Expect localized traffic impacts and a lively atmosphere throughout the neighborhood as the parade makes its way through the historic district.
Monday, February 23
- Jake Xerxes Fussell | The EARL |
- Creating Community at Work: A Panel on Storytelling and Meaningful Culture | Ponce City Market | 6:30 PM
- Atlanta Run Club: Monday Night Runs | Ponce City Market | 11:30 PM
Tuesday, February 24
- Spiritual Cramp | The Earl | 7:30 PM
- Robert Glasper | City Winery | 9:30 PM
Wednesday, February 25
- Keeper for a Day: Reptiles and Amphibians | Zoo Atlanta | 1:00 PM
- Jesse Welles | The Eastern | 8:00 PM
Thursday, February 26
- Evening Forest Hike | Fernbank Museum of Natural History | 7:00 PM
- Carter Faith at The Music Room At Smith’s Olde Bar | The Music Room |
- Dyskrasia | The Earl | 8:00 PM
Friday, February 27
- Djoli Kelen Black History African Dance and Drum | Moving in the Spirit |
- HOMESTAR KARAOKE | Genes | 1:00 AM
- WildWoods: AGLOW | Fernbank Museum of Natural History | 6:00 PM
- STS9 | The Eastern | 7:30 PM
- An Evening With Big Head Todd and the Monsters | Variety Playhouse | 8:00 PM
- The Constellations w/ ANTHMZ + Girl Saint | The Earl | 8:30 PM
Saturday, February 28
- Lanta Gras | Lanta Gras Parade |
- Birds Georgia Forest Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History | 9:00 AM
- Family Nature Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History | 11:30 AM
- Après Ski Party | New Realm Brewing | 7:0r0 PM
- Billy Gibbons | Variety Playhouse | 8:00 PM
- Dad's Garage Band | Dad's Garage | 8:00 PM
Sunday, March 01
- Pop Up Market: Waxwing Coffee's 1st Birthday | East Atlanta Village Farmers Market | 10:00 AM
- Family Nature Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History | 11:30 AM
- 2026 Atlanta Jewish Life Festival | Georgia Aquarium | 12:00 PM
LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISCUSSION
Edgewood alcohol moratorium, mold remediation, and DeKalb sewer upgrades
Meetings from the Past Week
DeKalb Board of Education
February 19, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Big agenda items: The committee reviewed several district-wide policies, including safety protocols (Policy EBB), rules for school visitors, and student attendance and admission requirements. They also discussed criteria for high school graduation, specifically focusing on community service requirements.
Other topics: The board discussed financial procedures governing the Board Office and approved previous meeting minutes.
DeKalb County Committee of the Whole
February 17, 2026 at 09:00 AM
Big agenda items: The committee reviewed a $49.75 million contract for sewer infrastructure rehabilitation and a $22.2 million extension for animal shelter operations. Significant policy discussions included a proposed "Bill of Rights" for water customers and the implementation of a centralized "Day Center" to address homelessness.
Other topics: The committee discussed a moratorium on sexual device sales and the retirement of a police K-9.
Atlanta City Council
February 16, 2026 at 01:00 PM
Big agenda items: Council moved forward on a new mold remediation ordinance to protect residents in substandard housing and a mandate requiring push-button door activators for disability access in new commercial buildings. They also adopted the "Play Fair ATL" platform to ensure equity and human rights protections during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Neighborhood detail: A 180-day moratorium was imposed on new alcohol license applications within the Edgewood Corridor. The council also considered a Special Use Permit for outdoor dining at 717 Edgewood Avenue, SE.
Other topics: The council approved the renaming of Fulton Street to J. Lowell Ware Boulevard and authorized funding for playground improvements at Deerwood Park.
Atlanta City Council - Committee on Council
February 16, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Big agenda items: The committee recommended several key appointments, including District 5 Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari to the Atlanta Regional Commission Board of Directors. They also moved forward with appointments to the Water and Sewer Appeals Board and the Pension Investment Board.
Other topics: An administrative correction was made to a procurement waiver regarding the identity management system at the airport.
Upcoming Meetings in the Next Week
Atlanta City Council - Zoning Committee
Monday, February 23, 2026, 11:00 AM
The committee will review a proposal to prohibit new self-storage facilities along the Beltline and consider doubling residential density in the Historic West End. Members will also weigh several annexations and the "Cool Roofs" ordinance delay. Most notable to your neighborhood: a rezoning request for a 47-unit multifamily development at 88 Howard St NE, multiple residential projects at 1469–1483 Hosea L. Williams Dr, and a distance waiver for the renovation of the service station at 1675 Memorial Dr SE.
Atlanta City Council - Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee
Monday, February 23, 2026, 1:00 PM
The committee will discuss legalizing citywide "Happy Hour" alcohol discounts and establishing a new outdoor entertainment district in South Downtown. Members will also consider a resolution urging the police department to prioritize community-based diversion over custodial arrests for low-level offenses. Most notable to your neighborhood: a requested exemption for beer and wine sales at 1675 Memorial Dr SE and a proposed 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses for the Edgewood Corridor.
DeKalb County Board of Education
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 9:00 AM
The board will hold a two-day retreat and executive session to focus on long-term strategic planning and board governance training. These sessions are typically reserved for confidential matters, including personnel, litigation, and real estate acquisitions.
Atlanta City Council - City Utilities Committee
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 10:00 AM
The committee will vote on $24 million for water and wastewater infrastructure management and $1.1 million for levee improvements to protect against catastrophic flooding. Discussion also includes delaying the "Cool Roofs" ordinance until June 2027 to accommodate supply chain availability for roofing materials.
Atlanta City Council - Community Development/Human Services Committee
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1:30 PM
Members will consider centralizing short-term rental enforcement into a new city office and a $1-per-year lease for a new international peace institute in Vine City. The committee will also review adjustments to the city’s Comprehensive Development Plan for various residential rezonings. Most notable to your neighborhood: a proposal to rename the Kirkwood Urban Forest Preserve to the "Williamson Urban Forest" to honor long-time advocate Earl Williamson.
Atlanta City Council — Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1:30 PM (agenda not yet posted)
Atlanta City Council - Transportation Committee
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 10:00 AM
The committee will discuss increasing on-street metered parking fees to $1.75 per half-hour and fast-tracking airport beautification projects ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Members will also review a $3.6 million grant for safety improvements on Peachtree Street and multiple neighborhood requests for new stop signs and traffic-calming devices.
Atlanta City Council - Finance/Executive Committee
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 1:30 PM
The agenda features over $600,000 in Wi-Fi and smart-lighting contracts for World Cup preparations and a $4.8 million upgrade to the E911 system. Commissioners will also vote on a large-scale donation for public murals and align city tax interest rates with state law. Most notable to your neighborhood: a public hearing regarding the annexation and R-4 zoning of several properties along Sargent Avenue and Eastland Road.
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 9:00 AM
The board is scheduled to adopt the 2026 Annual Budget and consider a new "chronic nuisance" ordinance that would allow the county to close problematic properties. Other items include $49.7 million for sewer infrastructure assessments and new maintenance standards for vacant buildings. Most notable to your neighborhood: $200,000 in funding for the "Stone Mountain Trail Cultural Corridor" project to add artistic crosswalks and path markings.
DeKalb County Committee of the Whole — Thursday, February 26, 2026, 9:00 AM (agenda not yet posted)
Atlanta Board of Education — Monday, March 2, 2026, 2:41 AM (agenda not yet posted)
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION NEARBY
New Glenwood home, East Lake starter house, and Memorial Drive roadwork
Permits
Keep an eye out for some activity around the neighborhood this week as several new projects get the green light. Here’s what’s happening with local permits in our neck of the woods:
2889 Glenwood Ave: Big news on Glenwood—a permit was finalized for a new $400,000 single-family home. Expect some heavy construction noise and crews in the area as this high-dollar build gets moving.
2575 Alston Dr SE: If you’re near the East Lake Golf Club, you’ll notice a small addition to the landscape. A new 83-square-foot "starter house" is being built at the first tee box to help coordinate rounds.
Vinson Dr SE: A significant residential project is coming to East Lake. This involves the construction of a large 22’x24’ two-story detached garage that will house a second-story home office, a kitchenette, and a full bathroom.
285 Mayson Ave NE: It looks like a new business is making progress in Edgewood. Recent permits were issued for a full commercial build-out, including new plumbing (floor drains and basins) and a 2.5-ton HVAC system.
121 Mellrich Ave NE: This commercial property in Kirkwood just received approval for a major HVAC overhaul, installing new 3-ton heat pumps and air handlers for both the upstairs and downstairs units.
Demolitions & Minor Work: Heads up for some extra dust and noise, as four residential demolition permits were issued this week. These are part of 37 total minor residential permits—mostly for electrical and HVAC upgrades—totaling about $10,000 in smaller neighborhood improvements.
Road Work
Keep an eye on the roads this week, neighbors! We have quite a few GDOT projects moving through the Edgewood, Kirkwood, and East Lake corridors that might affect your morning commute or your walk to the park. Here is what you need to know:
Memorial Drive from Moreland Avenue to Candler Road: This project is currently in the Construction Work Program phase. This means it is fully funded and approved, and while you won't see crews out there today, work is imminent as contracts are finalized. They will be adding and rebuilding sidewalks along this entire stretch to make it much more pedestrian-friendly.
Memorial Drive between Hill Street and Pearl Street: This project is officially Under Construction, so expect to see crews on site and potential traffic impacts. They are working on both the DeKalb and Fulton sides to add a new mid-block pedestrian crossing and "Restricted Crossing U-Turns" to improve safety.
I-20 Eastbound at Maynard Terrace and McPherson Avenue: Work is Under Construction here to replace the current intersection with a new roundabout. Crews are actively on-site at the off-ramp, so give yourself a little extra time if you’re heading east.
Glenwood Ave at Clifton Street and Flat Shoals: This is also Under Construction. GDOT is currently upgrading signal equipment and updating pedestrian ramps to meet ADA standards. Because this sits right on the DeKalb and Fulton line, expect activity at these busy neighborhood corners.
I-20 from Capitol Avenue to Flat Shoals Road: Lighting upgrades are Under Construction along this stretch of the interstate. Crews are on-site replacing old fixtures with energy-efficient LEDs and potentially replacing poles and conduit. This project spans both DeKalb and Fulton counties.
Atlanta Traffic Signal Enhancements (Phase II): This project is in the Construction Work Program phase. While active construction hasn't started yet, it is funded and coming soon. It will involve signal timing optimization and new fiber/4G communications at various intersections across DeKalb and Fulton to help traffic flow more smoothly.
DeKalb County Safety Improvements: There are safety upgrades Under Construction at 11 different locations across the county. Crews are on-site installing rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), new striping, and high-friction pavement markings to help keep everyone a bit safer on the road.
Service Requests
Keeping an eye on our streets helps keep our community safe and accessible. Here is a summary of the latest service requests from around the neighborhood:
- Potholes — Residents have reported issues that need attention at Warren St & Delano Dr, Marion Pl NE, and the intersection of Mortimer Pl & Battlefield Ave.
- Illegal Dumping — Requests for investigations into illegal dumping were filed for locations on Paxon St SE and Pharr Rd NE.
- Downed Tree — A report was submitted regarding a tree down on 3rd Ave SE.
- Sign Repair — A request is in for sign maintenance or replacement at the corner of Hutchinson St & Macklone St.
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Until next week,
Edgewood / Kirkwood / East Lake Busybody
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