Emory / Druid Hills: A $6M Mansion and a Bookstore Plot Twist

Good morning, Druid Hills! Whether you're scouting a $6 million historic estate or just hunting for the perfect box of matzah in Toco Hills, we've got your neighborhood download ready to go. This week, we're talking bookstore revivals, a nonpartisan ballot shake-up, and why a brand-new bridge is already coming apart.

- Big Stories — From a somber tribute at the CDC to updates on school closures, we're diving into the headlines making waves this week.
- Local Business Updates — Toco Hills is getting a major bookstore back and Druid Hills is leveling up its caffeine game with a local roasting legend.
- Upcoming Events — Between 404 Day celebrations at Piedmont Park and a flurry of local Easter egg hunts, your social calendar is about to be very full.
- Local Government Discussion — We're tracking a $22 million police car shopping spree and the latest drama over a proposed gas station on North Decatur Road.
- Development & Construction Nearby — Massive museum expansions are moving forward, but get ready to dodge orange cones near Toco Hills and some serious potholes on Oakdale.

Let's dive in.

BIG STORIES

CDC to rename road near building after Officer David Rose (March 27, 2026) A stretch of road near the CDC headquarters is being renamed to honor Officer David Rose, who was killed in the line of duty at the campus last year. It's a somber but meaningful tribute to a man who protected one of our neighborhood's most vital institutions. Keep an eye out for the new signage next time you're navigating the Clifton Road corridor.

Historic Druid Hills estate designed for Coca-Cola exec lists for nearly $6 million (March 23, 2026) Ever wanted to live like a beverage tycoon? The stunning "Boxwood" estate on Springdale Road—originally built for a Coke executive—has officially hit the market for a cool $6 million. Even if you aren't ready to drop seven figures, the listing photos are world-class house porn for anyone who appreciates that classic, sprawling Druid Hills architecture.

⏲️ Countdown to Passover (March 27, 2026) If the lines at the Toco Hills shopping centers feel a bit more intense this week, here's why: the neighborhood is officially in high-gear Passover prep mode. From brisket shopping strategies to finding the best local catering for the seder table, it's a busy time for our local Jewish community. Pro tip: maybe get your grocery run done early before the matzah shelves get picked clean.

State legislation makes DeKalb DA a nonpartisan position (March 27, 2026) Big changes are coming to your future ballots. The Georgia House just passed a bill that would make the DeKalb District Attorney and other county positions nonpartisan, essentially stripping those "D" and "R" labels from the race. It's a move that has local political junkies buzzing and could fundamentally change how we vet our county leaders during election season.

School closure presentation frustrates DeKalb County parents (March 25, 2026) Things got a little spicy this week as DeKalb County parents voiced their "frustration" over a vague presentation regarding potential school closures. While the district's interim superintendent insists the state of the schools is "strong," families are still waiting for clear answers on which specific buildings might actually get the axe. This is definitely one to watch if you've got kids in the system.

LOCAL BUSINESS UPDATES

Barnes & Noble - opening - Put on your reading glasses because a major plot twist is coming to Toco Hills! This bookstore giant just inked a lease to take over the old Westside Market space. While we're excited for more shelves to browse, we're sending extra love to our indie favorite Tall Tales nearby—there's always room for more stories in our neighborhood! (March 27, 2026)

San Francisco Coffee Roasting Company - opening - Your morning routine is about to get a whole lot tastier now that this local roasting legend is officially expanding into Druid Hills. We're already dreaming of those cozy afternoons spent nursing a latte and "working" from our new favorite neighborhood caffeine fix—welcome to the area! (March 23, 2026)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Get ready for a massive weekend as we celebrate the city we love and the arrival of spring! Saturday marks the legendary 404 Day with a huge celebration at Piedmont Park, and Sunday brings all the holiday magic with Easter brunches popping up across the neighborhood. Whether you're heading to the park for the big vibes or staying local for some nature trails, this is the week to be out and about.

Monday, March 30
- StoryWalk® at Mason Mill Park | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- JWJI Colloquium featuring Kristin Waters | Emory Bookstore
- Books and Babies Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- English as a Second Language (ESL) | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- DAP 18 - Emerging Artist Portfolio Prep (Middle & High School) (Mains) | Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
- Weekday Winning: Mega Mondays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

Tuesday, March 31
- LEGO Legends Club | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Weekday Winning: Toco Tuesdays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Tuesday Trivia @ Toco Hills | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Garden Playtime | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- David Ryan Harris: In Residence at Eddie's Attic | Eddie's Attic

Wednesday, April 01
- Preschool Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Weekday Winning: Wicked Good Wednesday | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Electrify Decatur Home Efficiency Series: All About Energy Audits | Zoom
- Community Seder | Chabad Intown
- Pysanky Eggs: The Ukranian Art of Egg Dyeing | Decatur Library

Thursday, April 02
- Evening Hikes | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- KPOT 01 - Kids Pottery | Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
- Weekday Winning: Thirsty Thursday | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Singing Workshop in the Pavilion | Woodlands Garden
- Oakhurst Jazz Nights | Lawn in front of The Solarium
- DAVE FRANKLIN | Napoleon's Grill

Friday, April 03
- Friday Movies | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- DAP 06.4 - Friday PM-Painting with Oils Demystified (Hobaugh) | Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
- Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings | The Chapel on Sycamore
- FLYING SAUCERS | Napoleon's Grill

Saturday, April 04
- 404 Day 2026 Celebration! | Piedmont Park
- Eagle Eye Poetry Extravaganza | Eagle Eye Book Shop
- Culturally Relevant Science | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Family Yoga | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Sunday, April 05
- Family Nature Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Easter Brunch in Piedmont Park: Buffet & Egg Hunts | Park Tavern
- Free Yoga | Wild Heaven Beer

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISCUSSION

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

In a week packed with enough committee meetings and "special called" sessions to make even a seasoned bureaucrat dizzy, DeKalb commissioners spent a lot of time talking about how to spend your tax dollars and how to keep the peace in your neighborhoods. Your wallet can breathe a momentary sigh of relief: a proposal to hike Stormwater Utility fees was withdrawn at the committee level, meaning that extra charge won't be hitting your bill just yet.

Meanwhile, the county is getting ready for a massive shopping spree. Commissioners advanced plans to spend over $22 million to refresh the county's fleet, including $16.2 million specifically for new police pursuit vehicles. This isn't just about shiny new cars; it's an effort to keep up with the wear and tear of public safety operations. On the infrastructure front, the board is looking at a $45 million overhaul for gravity sewer lines and water valves across the county. It's the kind of unglamorous work that keeps the lights on—and the toilets flushing—but the price tag is certainly eye-catching.

The most interesting discussions were about how we live together. The board is moving forward with a new "Control Blasting" ordinance to protect homes from construction-related explosives and a new set of rules for how animals can be restrained and transported. There was also movement on regulating short-term rentals like Airbnbs, with the county eyeing a $120,000 monitoring platform to ensure these rentals actually follow the rules.

The county is becoming increasingly wary of data centers—a new resolution would require health and environmental assessments before any new ones are permitted. And the board is still struggling with a sound regulation ordinance that has been deferred more than 15 times since 2024. Apparently, agreeing on what counts as "too loud" is the hardest job in Decatur.

Most notable to your neighborhood:

Atlanta Public Schools

Discussion from the Past Week

Last week, the students officially took the mic. The APS Student Advisory Council (SAC) gathered at the district headquarters to weigh in on the high-level decisions that usually happen behind closed doors. While the official minutes are currently missing in action, the agenda shows the "junior board" is digging into the heavy-duty topics that eventually dictate how your property tax dollars are spent.

Top of the list was SPLOST. For the uninitiated, that’s the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax—essentially the "penny tax" that pays for shiny new school buildings, HVAC repairs, and the tech upgrades that keep the district running. The council received a briefing on how these capital funds are being allocated, which is the first step before these projects land on the main Board of Education's desk for a final vote.

Meanwhile, the group tackled the "where is everyone?" problem. Dr. C. Windom presented on the district's ongoing battle with chronic absenteeism. It’s a significant issue because when kids don't show up, it doesn't just hurt test scores; it can eventually impact state funding for the district. The students also reviewed the CLIP (Comprehensive Literacy Instructional Plan) survey, which is the roadmap for how APS plans to get reading levels back on track across all neighborhoods.

Also worth noting: The council spent time recapping their "Breakfast with the Board" event. This is where the student reps get face-time with the actual Board of Education members to complain about—or praise—what’s happening in the hallways. If you’re wondering why certain school policies suddenly shift, it’s often because these student advisors are whispering in the ears of the people in charge.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Atlanta Board of Education, April 06, 2026: The full board is scheduled for their regular session to likely tackle the big-picture versions of last week's student discussions, including SPLOST funding updates and literacy initiatives.

DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION NEARBY

Permits
- 571 South Kilgo Cir NE (Emory Campus) — The Michael C. Carlos Museum is leveling up with a massive $2.1 million addition to the back of the building. That is a whole lot of museum real estate; we'll be keeping a close eye on the cranes.
- 767 Clifton Rd NE (Fernbank Museum) — Get ready for a dinosaur-sized refresh. A $1.5 million renovation is underway for the "Changing Earth" and Flex Gallery spaces. It's time for those exhibits to get the transformation they deserve!
- 1405 Clifton Rd NE — The official "starting whistle" has been blown for the old Egleston Hospital demolition. A construction trailer is being moved onto the surface lot to stage the site. It's going to be a noisy season for this corner of the Emory campus.
- 1364 Clifton Rd NE — Someone is very focused on safety! There's a flurry of activity here with multiple permits issued for extensive fire sprinkler and alarm system overhauls.
- 1365 Clifton Rd NE — A modest 643-square-foot interior renovation is coming to the clinic in Building A. It's a small footprint, but expect a few contractors taking up the good parking spots for a while.
- North Druid Hills & Briarcliff Heights — Aside from the big institutional projects, we're seeing over $1.4 million in residential activity across seven notable home projects. Between the new single-family builds and major renovations, the neighborhood sounds are definitely shifting from birds chirping to power saws.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 236 (Lavista Rd) & Shepherds Ln Signal Upgrade — Keep your eyes peeled near Merry Hills; crews are currently upgrading the signals at this intersection. It might be a little glitchy for a few days, so don't bank on your usual green-light luck during the morning school run.
- SR 236 (Lavista Rd) EB at SR 155 (Clairmont Rd) Turn Lane Extension — The Toco Hills shuffle just got a bit more complicated. They're finally extending the eastbound left-turn lane to help with the Clairmont backlog, but for now, it means navigating a maze of orange cones right in the heart of our favorite shopping district.

Construction Work Program
- SR 155 & North Druid Hills Road — Big focus on walkability here! GDOT is prepping to build a shared-use path along the south side of North Druid Hills and a fresh 6-foot sidewalk on the north side. It's going to make that trek near Azalea Circle and the intersection with SR 236 much friendlier for pedestrians.
- Scott Blvd Complete Streets Plan — This one is still in the "getting ready" phase, but expect some major overhauls to Scott Blvd. The goal is a total rethink of the corridor to make it safer for everyone, so stay tuned for more details as this moves toward breaking ground.
- SR 8/US 23 (Ponce De Leon Ave) over Lullwater Creek — Our iconic bridge over Lullwater Creek is slated for some structural TLC. It's essential maintenance to keep the bridge sound, but since it's on Ponce, we'll definitely want to keep an eye on the schedule for potential lane shifts.
- SR 155 (Clairmont Rd) @ SR 236 (Lavista Rd) — A little restriping is on the way for this high-traffic junction. It sounds minor, but a fresh layout at this busy intersection could help clear up some of that "which lane am I in?" confusion we all face during rush hour.
- SR 8 (Ponce De Leon Ave) Roundabouts — This is a major change for the commute: two roundabouts are proposed along the Ponce corridor. The first is at Eastlake and the second is at the North Ponce/West Parkwood/East Parkwood intersection. It's going to be a total shift in how we navigate those tricky angles.
- SR 8/US 23 (Ponce De Leon Ave) Drainage Improvements — GDOT is tackling drainage issues on the segment of Ponce near Ridgecrest Road. It's not the most glamorous project, but it's definitely necessary to keep the road from turning into a lake during our classic Atlanta downpours.
- North Druid Hills Road @ CSX Railroad — There is a significant bridge project brewing for the 2,600-foot corridor between Spring Creek Drive and Willivee Drive. This is a high-traffic stretch near Mason Mill, so this will be a massive "heads up" for those who use this as a shortcut between Clairmont and Lavista.

Service Requests
- Potholes — A whopping six reports on Oakdale Rd NE, plus more at the intersections of Oakdale and Ponce, Sheridan and Briarcliff, and Rock Springs and Decatur. Your suspension might need a hug after navigating these.
- Traffic Signal Repair — Reported at Briarcliff Rd and Druid Hills Rd. Stay alert and remember: if the lights aren't behaving, treat it like a four-way stop!