Edgewood / Kirkwood / East Lake: Coke Campus for Sale and MARTA Moves

Good morning, Edgewood, Kirkwood, and East Lake! It’s a big week for our neck of the woods as MARTA construction finally wakes up from its year-long nap and a massive chunk of East Lake real estate hits the market. Stick around for the scoop on everything from school closure scares to where you can find a live tuna-cutting show this week.

- Big Stories — From the Coke campus hitting the market to MARTA finally dusting off the orange cones, we're breaking down the moves changing our neighborhood.
- Upcoming Events — Whether you’re into seitan-making classes, St. Paddy's karaoke, or a literal tuna-cutting spectacle, your social calendar is about to be booked solid.
- Local Government Discussion — We’ve got the tea on the APS "marriage counseling" retreat and the $1.25 billion plan to make sure our faucets keep flowing.
- Development & Construction Nearby — Between a new daycare on Memorial and those fancy new roundabouts coming to Ponce, the neighborhood is getting a serious facelift.

Let's dive in.

BIG STORIES

East Lake MARTA station construction resumes after year-long delay (March 10, 2026) Dust off those BREEZE cards because the orange cones are finally moving again. After a year of "coming soon" vibes and stalled progress, work is officially back on track to modernize our neighborhood station, hopefully making your morning commute a little less like an obstacle course.

Longtime Coca-Cola UNITED campus in East Lake for sale (March 13, 2026) A massive piece of East Lake real estate just hit the market, and the redevelopment potential is honestly staggering. Whether it becomes trendy lofts or another mixed-use playground, this sale is going to change the face of East Lake Boulevard forever—so get ready for the "Zoning Update" signs to start popping up.

DeKalb County looking to build public safety training center (March 13, 2026) DeKalb is officially scouting for its own version of a public safety training hub to beef up police and fire prep. While the project is still in the early stages, the "where" and "how much" are sure to be the talk of the next few town halls—grab your popcorn (and maybe your community advocate hat).

Doll's Head Trail, East Lake-Kirkwood | CL (March 11, 2026) If you haven’t taken a stroll through this quirky, slightly eerie local treasure lately, consider this your sign to go before the spring humidity really hits. It’s the perfect blend of folk art and nature that reminds us why our pocket of the city stays wonderfully weird.

Despite ever-evolving lighting industry, Atlanta's The Neon Company shines bright (March 13, 2026) Ever wonder who’s behind those glowing signs that make DeKalb Avenue look like a scene from a movie? The artisans at The Neon Company are still bending glass right in our backyard, proving that old-school craftsmanship is still the coolest way to light up the neighborhood.

UPCOMING EVENTS

It’s time to dust off the walking shoes and get your greenery fix! Between the neighborhood tree tours and the arrival of the Spring Equinox, this is the week to get outside and celebrate the changing seasons with your neighbors.

Monday, March 16
- Seitan 101 | La Semilla
- Atlanta Run Club: Monday Night Runs | Nike @ Ponce City Market
- Artificial Intelligence and Critical Thinking: For You and Your Kids | Decatur High School Learning Commons
- Westerman | The Earl

Tuesday, March 17
- Lucky Libations & Leprechaun Karaoke at Vesper | Vesper Atlanta
- $5 Beer + Taco + Trivia Tuesdays in Avondale | Wild Heaven Beer
- 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
- Takumi Cuisine's First Tuna Cutting Event | Takumi Cuisine
- Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers | Eddie's Attic
- The Voyage Quartet featuring Eva Slongo, Jimmy Grant and Samuel Farthing! | Waller's Coffee Shop

Thursday, March 19
- Mike Burton | City Winery Atlanta
- Thirsty Thursday | Wild Heaven Beer
- Boozy Bingo | The Reading Room
- Serenity Within: An Evening of Self-Care | The Legacy Park Auditorium

Friday, March 20
- Marc Ribot | Wild Heaven Beer
- Spring Equinox Guided Walk | Woodlands Garden
- Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings | The Chapel on Sycamore
- Yacht Rock Revue performs Stop Making Sense | Variety Playhouse
- Trans Talent Show | Argosy
- R&B Fridays at Marcus Bar & Grille | Marcus Bar & Grille

Saturday, March 21
- Women of Wisdom Celebration of Accomplishments | Edgewood / Kirkwood / East Lake
- Tree Tour: Reynoldstown Neighborhood Arboretum | Wylie Street Southeast
- Fair Off the Square | East Court Square
- Kaftans & Cocktails | Cabbagetown Neighborhood
- Mike Gordon at Variety Playhouse | Variety Playhouse
- KJ and the FunkMaysons | Grant Park PorchFest
- Sisters Of Faith #217 Paint & Sip Fundraiser | Decatur Legacy Park
- March Flight Club: Comedy + Wine | The Reading Room

Sunday, March 22
- Free Yoga | Wild Heaven Beer
- Spring Equinox Spell Craft Social | Nearby Neighborhoods
- The Fretliners | Eddie's Attic
- Die Laughing Comedy Show (21+) | Roaring Social Decatur

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISCUSSION

Atlanta Public Schools

Discussion from the Past Week

The Board of Education spent two days sequestered at Pittsburgh Yards for their annual retreat. While "retreat" might conjure images of spa days, this was more of a corporate-style marathon aimed at fixing the board’s internal vibes and charting the district's course for the next two decades. They started with some professional soul-searching, using "Strengths Finder" and "Work Appreciation" assessments to figure out how to actually get along and work as a team. It’s basically marriage counseling for the people in charge of our schools, designed to make their public meetings a little less chaotic.

But here’s the thing that actually matters for your students: a massive chunk of time was dedicated to the "Instructional Core." This is the district's fancy term for "how do we make sure kids can read and get jobs?" They are doubling down on "Accelerated Literacy" and college readiness programs. Meanwhile, they spent a significant amount of time debating "APS Forward 2040." This is the district’s long-term vision for what schools will look like 14 years from now. While it’s still in the "big ideas" phase, this plan will eventually dictate everything from school boundaries to which buildings get renovated.

Also worth noting: the board is looking at how they talk to us. They discussed "standardizing engagement protocols," which is bureaucratic speak for changing how public comment works and how they respond to parent emails. They want to streamline the process, though whether that means more transparency or just more polished PR remains to be seen. No major votes were tallied during these sessions, as the retreat focused on strategy rather than immediate policy changes.

Atlanta NPU

Discussion from the Past Week

NPU-O pulled back the curtain on Thursday night, proving once again that nothing brings people together like a shared concern over zoning and property lines. The virtual room was packed with the usual mix of eagle-eyed residents and city officials trying to navigate the balance between neighborhood charm and city growth.

The big talk centered on the city’s evolving approach to housing density and how it trickles down to our neck of the woods. For those of us in Edgewood and East Lake, this translates to ongoing debates about "missing middle" housing—basically, how many units can we reasonably fit on a lot before it stops feeling like the neighborhood we know? There’s a palpable tension between the city's push to streamline development and the neighbors' desire to keep a firm hand on the steering wheel of local character.

Meanwhile, the meat-and-potatoes of the meeting involved reports from APD Zone 6. The takeaway for the week was a familiar one: property crime remains the primary "nosy neighbor" topic. The officers reiterated the usual plea to clear out your cars and keep those porch lights on, as opportunistic break-ins continue to be the main headache for the area.

Also worth noting: there was a persistent nudge toward the Department of Watershed Management regarding lingering infrastructure issues. With spring rain starting to pick up, a few intersections in the Kirkwood area are beginning to look more like temporary ponds, and neighbors are making it very clear that their patience is drying up even if the pavement isn't.

Atlanta City Council

Discussion from the Past Week

It was a massive week at City Hall, where the price of living in—and even just visiting—Atlanta is officially getting a makeover. The Finance and Utilities committees were in a "big check" mood, moving forward with a staggering $1.25 billion in revenue bonds to fix our aging water and sewer systems. While a billion dollars sounds like a lot, it’s basically the city’s way of ensuring the taps stay on and the sewers don't, well, do what they did last summer. Meanwhile, the Transportation Committee decided that since it’s been 15 years, it’s finally time to hike on-street parking fees from $1.00 to $1.75 per half-hour.

In a move that surprised absolutely no one, the city is also fast-tracking tens of millions of dollars to pretty itself up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This includes everything from $34 million for "cosmetic" airport upgrades (think: new carpets and pressure washing) to $7.6 million for anti-drone technology to keep the skies secure. Also, if you’ve ever been frustrated by the neighbor’s revolving door of Airbnb guests, take note: the Community Development committee is pushing to create a dedicated "Office of Short-Term Rentals" to centralize permits and actually start enforcing the rules on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo.

On the "nosy neighbor" front, things got spicy in the Public Safety and Zoning committees. The city is considering an "Open Container District" for South Downtown to boost revitalization, but they’re taking the opposite approach on Edgewood Avenue. After a string of violent incidents, they are eyeing a 180-day freeze on all new alcohol licenses in the Edgewood Corridor. Plus, if you’re wondering where your tax dollars go, the Committee on Council is officially launching an investigation into $910,000 in "consulting payments" made to a former clerk for work that... nobody is quite sure actually happened.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
- Turner A.M.E. Apartments (88 Howard St NE): Progress is moving forward on a plan to rezone this site for a 47-unit multi-family apartment complex right on the edge of Edgewood and Kirkwood.
- Hosea L. Williams Drive (1469, 1473, 1477, 1483 SE): A cluster of addresses on this main Kirkwood corridor were flagged for zoning discussion this week, signaling continued interest in commercial or residential infill.
- 1675 Memorial Dr SE: This address was also under the microscope at the Zoning Committee; keep an eye on this spot for potential redevelopment news.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Committee on Council – March 16, 2026 at 11:30 AM: This session will dive deeper into the "ghost clerk" investigation regarding $910,000 in payments and consider a major Charter change that would let the Council bypass the Mayor’s office when hiring their own staff.
- Atlanta City Council – March 16, 2026 at 1:00 PM: The full body meets to finalize the South Downtown Open Container District and vote on "The Works" Phase 2 expansion on the Upper Westside. They’ll also review audits on the airport’s rental car center and the city’s controversial "blight tax" program.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

DeKalb County is currently in "spend money to make money" (or at least to keep the pipes from bursting) mode. The Board moved forward with a massive $21 million contract for gravity sewer line restoration. While sewer talk usually makes eyes glaze over, this matters because it’s the primary way the county is trying to prevent those lovely "spills" that plague our local waterways. They also signaled a major investment in public safety, earmarking over $3 million for police precinct repairs and another $9 million for health facility upgrades.

In a move that will likely please the "adopt, don't shop" crowd, the Board approved a $22.2 million contract extension for the Lifeline Animal Project. This keeps them running the county animal shelter through 2027. It’s a significant chunk of change, but given the ongoing overcrowding issues at the shelter, the commissioners seem to agree that stability is worth the price tag.

But here’s the thing: the county is getting very nervous about data centers. The Board discussed a new resolution that would require a full health and environmental impact study before any new data centers can get a land disturbance permit. Essentially, DeKalb is hitting the brakes to make sure these massive, power-hungry facilities don’t become a neighborhood nuisance or an environmental drain.

Also worth noting: the county is finally formalizing its "DeKalb County Day Center" plan. This is a dedicated strategy to provide centralized services for folks experiencing homelessness, moving beyond temporary fixes toward a more permanent infrastructure for support.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Committee of the Whole, March 17, 2026 at 9:00 AM: This is the "pre-game" for the next big vote. Expect more debate on the $21M sewer contract and a controversial new "Vagrancy Ordinance" regarding unauthorized camping. They’ll also discuss creating an "AI Tech Dividend Fund" and a study on whether to spin off Water and Sewer into its own independent Authority. Addresses mentioned include a deannexation at 5499 Woodsong Trace and improvements at Wade Walker Park.

DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION NEARBY

Permits
- 1976 Hosea L Williams Dr NE — Big moves on Hosea! There’s a plan in the works to demo the existing spot and construct a brand-new multi-use building. It’s still in the review phase, but get ready—this would be a major change for the block.
- 1655 Memorial Dr SE — Good news for the "daycare desert." A permit was just issued for a tenant fit-out to turn this one-story building into a new S3 Daycare.
- 285 Mayson Ave NE — The work continues over at the Mayson development in Edgewood. They’re currently wiring up the fire alarms and low-voltage systems, which means they are one step closer to opening those doors.
- Residential Watch — The hammers are staying busy! We’ve got 4 new residential homes starting construction this week and 10 permits filed for arborist work. If you hear chainsaws or heavy equipment, it’s just the neighborhood getting a little more crowded (and hopefully a little more manicured).

Road Work

Under Construction
- I-20 Lighting Upgrades (Fulton & DeKalb Counties) — Crews are working on swapping out old high-pressure sodium lights for bright, energy-efficient LEDs from Capitol Ave all the way down to Flat Shoals Road. It’ll make those late-night drives back to East Lake a lot clearer, but watch for occasional overnight shoulder or lane closures.
- SR 260 Pedestrian Safety at Haas Ave & Eastside Ave — Keep an eye out for crews on Glenwood Ave. They are installing those flashing pedestrian beacons (RRFBs) to help neighbors cross safely. It’s a small footprint, but a huge win for walkability in the area.
- SR 260 Pedestrian Safety at Brownwood Ave & Joseph Ave — More flashing beacons are going in further down Glenwood. Expect some activity near the curbs while they get the electrical and signage in place for these new crossings.
- SR 42/Moreland Ave Intersection Improvements (Fulton County) — Heads up if you use Arkwright Place to get to the Edgewood Retail District! They are officially turning this into a "right-in, right-out" intersection by building a median. This means no more risky left turns across Moreland traffic—you'll want to start planning your U-turn strategy now.
- I-20 Concrete Rehab (Fulton & DeKalb Counties) — This is the big one. GDOT is resurfacing a massive stretch of I-20 from Hill Street out toward Columbia Drive to fix the "low OCI" (basically, the road is currently too bumpy). Since this spans the heart of the DeKalb/Fulton line, expect some weekend lane closures that could back things up into our neck of the woods.

Construction Work Program
- SR 154/Memorial Drive Sidewalks (DeKalb County) — We’re finally getting some sidewalk love on Memorial between Moreland and Candler. GDOT is planning to add and rebuild walkways, which should make that trek to the shops a lot more pedestrian-friendly.
- Atlanta Traffic Signal Enhancements - Phase II (DeKalb & Fulton Counties) — This project spans the city line and will bring smarter signals, fiber communications, and updated ADA ramps to intersections. Hopefully, it means better timing for us and fewer "why is this light still red?" moments.
- DeKalb Avenue Railroad Warning Upgrades (DeKalb County) — Safety first at the CSX crossing on DeKalb Ave. They’ll be installing new railroad warning devices to keep things moving safely near the tracks.
- South McDonough St & Oakview Rd Shared Use Path (DeKalb County) — Big news for the Kirkwood-to-Decatur commute: a new shared-use path is in the works from Hosea Williams Drive up to College Ave. It’s a major win for anyone who prefers two wheels to four.
- Atlanta Ave & Adair Street Realignment (DeKalb County) — This project is hovering just nearby and aims to fix the awkward geometry and railroad crossing near the Oakhurst border. It's currently in the bidding/funding stage, so keep it on your radar for future detours.
- SR 8/Ponce De Leon Ave Roundabouts (DeKalb County) — Heads up, East Lake! Plans are moving forward for two roundabouts on Ponce: one at the East Lake Drive intersection and another at North Ponce/Parkwood. It’ll be a big adjustment for the "Ponce 500" crowd, but it's designed to calm the chaos.
- SR 8/Ponce De Leon Ave Drainage Improvements (DeKalb County) — Just up the road, GDOT is tackling the drainage issues between South Ponce and Ridgecrest. No more hydroplaning after a classic Georgia thunderstorm once this gets through the pipeline.
- SR 42/Moreland Ave Lane Scoping (DeKalb County) — They’re looking into narrowing the travel lanes on Moreland between DeKalb Ave and Austin Ave to make things a bit tighter and potentially safer. It’s in the early stages, but it’s the first step toward a more neighborhood-friendly Little Five Points.