Emory / Druid Hills: Druid Hills High Modernization Vote and Big Property Tax Relief

Welcome to your weekly update for the Emory and Druid Hills area. This week, we are highlighting a major modernization vote for Druid Hills High School and the announcement of several high-profile retailers joining the Lulah Hills development.

Big Stories — Key updates include the next phase of renovations for Druid Hills High and potential school closures in DeKalb. Residents should also take note of the final list of candidates for the May primary and a new Emory exhibit.

Upcoming Events — The week is packed with local activities, from the St. Paddy’s Day Lucky Run at Mason Mill to the kickoff of the Atlanta Science Festival at Fernbank Museum. You can also catch midnight book release parties at Eagle Eye Bookshop or "After Dark" events for adults.

Local Government Discussion — DeKalb County is advancing $40 million in water and sewer upgrades while also approving funds for a new master plan at 1634 Briarcliff Road. The School Board is also in the midst of long-term planning sessions regarding facility consolidations and administrative oversight.

Development & Construction Nearby — Significant roadwork continues at the busy Toco Hills intersection of Lavista and Briarcliff Roads, and Emory University Hospital has filed permits for major ICU and operating room upgrades. Residents should also keep an eye out for pothole repairs scheduled near Rock Springs Court and Decatur Road.

Let’s dive in.

Next phase of Druid Hills High modernization up for a vote (March 05, 2026)
DeKalb County is moving forward with the next major phase of modernization for Druid Hills High School, a critical step for local families waiting on long-promised campus improvements. The upcoming vote will determine the scope of renovations aimed at bringing the historic facility up to modern standards and addressing longstanding infrastructure concerns.

Decaturish Download will discuss DeKalb School closures (March 04, 2026)
Public discussions are launching regarding potential school closures as DeKalb County Schools grapples with changing demographic trends and shifting enrollment numbers. Parents in the Emory and Druid Hills areas should monitor these sessions closely, as the district's long-term planning may lead to redistricting or facility consolidations that affect local neighborhood schools.

Here is who will be on the ballot in DeKalb County this May (March 08, 2026)
The candidate field for the upcoming May primary is now finalized, featuring several contested races for the DeKalb County Commission and the Board of Education. Residents will have the opportunity to vote on key leadership roles that directly influence local zoning decisions, infrastructure projects, and education policy for the Emory area.

North DeKalb Mall redevelopment bags fresh slate of retailers (March 04, 2026)
The transformation of the former North DeKalb Mall into the "Lulah Hills" mixed-use district has secured a new lineup of retailers including Anthropologie and Refuge Coffee. This major development milestone marks a significant shift for the North Druid Hills community, replacing a largely vacant mall with a pedestrian-friendly hub of shopping, dining, and housing.

Emory exhibit reinvents sports photography with a fandom focus (March 05, 2026)
The Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University has opened a new photography exhibit titled “Footwork: Where We Gather,” which explores the culture of sports through the eyes of the fans. This local cultural addition offers residents a unique perspective on community and global fandom, highlighting the diverse crowds that gather for major athletic milestones.

Monday, March 09
- Midnight Release Party for Mistakes Were Made | Eagle Eye Bookshop
- StoryWalk® at Mason Mill Park | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Oscar Film Festival | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County

Tuesday, March 10
- Tiffany Crum & Emily Carpenter – Book Talk | Eagle Eye Bookshop
- Bingo | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County

Wednesday, March 11
- Meeting on Language in Autism (MoLA) | Emory Conference Center
- Preschool Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Oscar Film Festival | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County

Thursday, March 12
- Jewelry with Gin Live! | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County

Friday, March 13
- Life After Cars LIVE: Presented by Propel ATL | Plaza Theater Atlanta
- Friday Movies | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Fernbank After Dark: The Big Chill | Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Saturday, March 14
- St Paddy's Day Lucky Run ATLANTA | S Peachtree Creek Trail
- Atlanta Science Festival - Wildflower Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Atlanta Science Festival - Bugs Bonanza | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Flight of Butterflies | Fernbank Museum
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- George Tindall's Celebration of Life | Ackerman Hall at the Michael C. Carlos Museum

Sunday, March 15
- Family Nature Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History

DeKalb County School District

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board of Education held a multi-part session on March 9, 2026, which included a Work Session, a Business Meeting, and an Executive Session. The Work Session serves as the primary venue for the Board to review departmental reports and deliberate on policy changes and large-scale expenditures before official action is taken. While specific voting results on individual policy items were not detailed in the preliminary meeting directory, these sessions typically cover the district's administrative oversight and long-term strategic planning.

Other topics:
The meeting included a dedicated Community Input Session, providing a formal platform for residents to address the Board directly with local concerns. Additionally, the Board conducted an Executive Session to discuss confidential matters, which generally involve personnel issues, pending litigation, or potential real estate acquisitions.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
A significant portion of the week’s discussions centered on major infrastructure and public safety investments. The Committee of the Whole moved forward with over $40 million in water and sewer upgrades, including $21 million for gravity sewer line restoration and $19 million for water valve replacements. Commissioners also advanced a $500,000 allocation to evaluate locations for a new Public Safety Training Facility and approved more than $12 million in SPLOST funds for health facility improvements and repairs to police precincts. Additionally, the committee accepted an implementation plan for the "DeKalb County Day Center" to provide expanded services for residents experiencing homelessness.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
The Board moved to the consent agenda an allocation of $21,500 from the 2001 Park Bond specifically for the development of a Master Plan for the property at 1634 Briarcliff Road.

Other topics:
The Planning Commission reviewed 14 cases involving new cottage homes, senior housing, and multi-family developments, as well as several commercial requests including a new convenience store and a recycling plant. Most of these items are now heading to the Board of Commissioners for a final legally binding vote on March 26. Other administrative items moved forward include contracts for airport maintenance at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport and upgrades to the Courthouse parking deck.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Board of Commissioners March 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM: The Board is expected to take final action on $9 million in health facility improvements, a $22.2 million animal shelter operations contract, and a resolution requiring impact studies before new data centers are permitted. This meeting includes the final funding approval for the 1634 Briarcliff Road master plan.

Permits

From major hospital upgrades to some significant backyard transformations, there is plenty of activity to keep an eye on around the neighborhood this week. Here are the notable permits recently filed for the Emory and Druid Hills area:

- 1784 N Decatur Rd NE — Commercial renovation and associated sitework to improve the existing building and property.
- Ralph Rd — A major whole-house plumbing overhaul for a residential property, estimated at $240,000.
- Poplar Grove Dr NE — New backyard construction including a pool, pool cabana, and pool deck ($200,000).
- N Holly Ln — Interior residential renovation featuring a kitchen remodel and the removal of interior walls ($150,000).
- 1365 Clifton Rd NE — Interior commercial renovation of an ICU unit at Emory, including 14 patient rooms and support areas.
- 1364 Clifton Rd NE — Commercial plumbing renovations for Operating Rooms 18 and 19 on the third level of Emory University Hospital.
- 1735 Lowergate Dr NE — Installation of nine new antennas and associated equipment on a 110-foot monopole tower.

Beyond these larger projects, there were 19 minor residential permits issued in the area this week, totaling approximately $131,707 in estimated value. These primarily consist of tree removals for dead or hazardous trees, as well as smaller-scale plumbing and pool maintenance.

Road Work
- Briarcliff Road from Briarcliff Place to Buford Highway — Under Construction. Crews are actively on site for a resurfacing and maintenance project. They are working to improve the roadway's pavement rating, so expect some lane closures and traffic impacts along this stretch.
- Lavista Road @ Briarcliff Road — Under Construction. Work is currently underway to overhaul this major Toco Hills intersection. The project involves widening Briarcliff Road to the east and reconfiguring the lanes to help clear up the usual congestion.
- Lavista Road & Shepherds Lane — Under Construction. You'll see active crews at this intersection as they work through a signal upgrade project.
- Lavista Road @ Clairmont Road — Under Construction. Work is happening now to extend the eastbound left turn lane on Lavista. Expect crews on-site as they aim to improve the flow of traffic turning onto Clairmont.
- North Druid Hills Road at Clairmont Road and Lavista Road — Construction Work Program. This project is funded and approved, though active construction has not started yet. Once it kicks off, we’ll see a new shared-use path along the south side of North Druid Hills Road and 6-foot-wide sidewalks on the north side near Azalea Circle.
- Scott Boulevard Complete Streets Plan — Construction Work Program. This major plan for the Scott Boulevard corridor is officially funded and on the books. While construction isn’t active yet, the project is moving through the final administrative stages before work begins.

Service Requests

Here’s a look at the latest 311 reports from around the neighborhood. Keep an eye out for crews working at these locations:

- Potholes — Drivers should watch for bumps at the intersection of Rock Springs Ct and Decatur Rd, as well as near Villa Dr and Markan Dr.
- Traffic Signal Repairs — Both emergency and standard repairs were reported at the busy crossing of Clifton Rd and Uppergate Dr.
- Illegal Dumping — An investigation was requested regarding debris left along Briarcliff Rd NE.