Emory / Druid Hills: Final Four Fever and a Broken Water Main

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Happy Monday, Druid Hills! Between the Emory Eagles clinching a historic Final Four spot and a 30-inch water main giving up the ghost in Greater Decatur, it has been a wild week on the east side. We've also got the scoop on a beloved school's sudden closure and a festival-packed weekend ahead, so let's dive in.

- News — From Emory's championship run to a major water main break and some high-stakes school redistricting talk, the local drama is definitely turned up to eleven.
- Business — The community is rallying after a sudden school closure on Sheridan Road, and new coffee is brewing on Briarcliff Road.
- Events — It's a big weekend for fresh air lovers with the Festival on Ponce, puppy adoptions at Emory, and trivia nights to keep your brain sharp.
- Government — Atlanta Public Schools is making moves with new soccer fields, "appreciation" checks for staff, and a high-tech upgrade for the bus fleet.
- Construction — Your GPS is about to get a workout with Egleston demolition prep, turn lane extensions in Toco Hills, and new roundabouts coming to Ponce.

Let's dive in.

NEWS

Emory study: How the arts help people living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers (April 03, 2026) Emory researchers are proving that art isn't just for looking at—it's actually helping folks with dementia and their caregivers stay connected. From museum visits to music, creative experiences are being used as a real tool to spark memories and ease the daily grind of Alzheimer's.

DeKalb schools Student Assignment Plan will only work by rebuilding trust (April 04, 2026) The district is looking to reshuffle where kids go to school, but parents are (rightfully) asking for a lot more than just a new map. It's all about transparency, and the community is making it clear that any redistricting needs to come with a side of actual trust-building first.

DeKalb County fixing 30-inch main break in Greater Decatur (April 05, 2026) A major 30-inch water main decided to give up the ghost just down the road in Greater Decatur, causing a significant headache for county crews. Hopefully, your morning shower survived the drama, but it's a good reminder that our aging pipes are definitely feeling the pressure.

Registration open for 37th Annual DeKalb County Senior Olympics (April 05, 2026) Time to dust off the sneakers because the Senior Olympics are coming back this May. If you're 50 or older and ready to show off your competitive streak, sign-ups are now open for everything from swimming to track.

Sports with Sam: Falcons unveil new uniforms; Atlanta United, Vibe, and Emory hoops make headlines (April 03, 2026) The Emory men's basketball team had quite a run vying for a D3 title at the Final Four! While the result didn’t quite turn out as we’d hoped, it’s quite an achievement making it this far.

BUSINESS

Midtown International School - closing - We're genuinely bummed to see this one go. The private school on Sheridan Road is abruptly shutting down after 13 years, citing a sudden financial crunch that has left parents and the Druid Hills community in total shock. (March 31, 2026)

Capstone Academy - opening - In a beautiful show of neighborhood spirit, this academy is opening its doors to take in students left stranded by the abrupt MIS closure, even holding a special open house this weekend to help local families finish the school year strong. (April 01, 2026)

San Francisco Coffee - opening - Your new morning happy hour spot just dropped! This local roasting legend is bringing its chill West Coast vibes and small-batch beans to a brand-new space at Sage Hill on Briarcliff Road later this summer. (April 02, 2026)

EVENTS

The Spring Festival on Ponce is finally back! This is the one you've been waiting for, so clear your schedule to wander through Olmsted Linear Park, snag some local art, and soak up the April sun. Between the festival and the legendary Dogwood Festival blooming nearby, it's a big weekend for the neighborhood—it's the perfect excuse to get outside and pretend we're all as sophisticated as the architecture around us.

Monday, April 06
- StoryWalk® at Mason Mill Park | Mason Mill Walking Trail
- Teen Take & Make: Mini Zen Garden | Avis Williams Library
- Books and Babies Storytime | Avis Williams Library
- Oscar Film Festival | Avis Williams Library
- Weekday Winning: Mega Mondays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

Tuesday, April 07
- Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library Book Discussion Group | Avis Williams Library
- Stuffed Animal Storytime and Sleepover | Avis Williams Library
- Emory University Dog Adoption Event | Emory University
- Tuesday Trivia @ Toco Hills | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

Wednesday, April 08
- Preschool Storytime | Avis Williams Library
- Oscar Film Festival | Avis Williams Library
- Drop-In Technology Support | Avis Williams Library
- RealRoots Meetup | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

Thursday, April 09
- Jewelry with Gin Live! | Avis Williams Library
- Cookbook Club | Avis Williams Library
- Ethics at the Movies: NATCHEZ | Candler School of Theology
- Weekday Winning: Thirsty Thursday | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

Friday, April 10
- Fernbank After Dark: Booze & Botanicals | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Catalyst Quartet | Cherry Logan Emerson Concert Hall
- Kin. The Band – Spring Concert Series 2026 | Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
- Friday Movies: Sacramento (2024) | Avis Williams Library
- Atlanta Dogwood Festival - Friday | Piedmont Park

Saturday, April 11
- Atlanta Dogwood Festival | Piedmont Park
- Spring Festival on Ponce Returns to Olmsted Linear | Olmsted Linear Park
- Walk Druid Hills | Druid Hills Civic Association
- Candler Concert Series: Catalyst Quartet | Schwartz Center for Performing Arts
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Black Maternal Health Walk & Community Fair | Candler Park
- The Great Chair Hack of 2026 | Piedmont Park

Sunday, April 12
- Atlanta Dogwood Festival | Piedmont Park
- Spring Festival on Ponce Returns to Olmsted Linear Park | Olmsted Linear Park
- Field Trip: How to read a Forest at Deepdene Park | Deepdene Park
- Meet a Ranger | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss - The Escape Game | Decatur Library
- VaHi Farmers Market | Virginia Highland District
- New South Festival Singers Masterworks Concert | Holy Trinity Parish Episcopal Church

GOVERNMENT

Note: it’s an unusually quiet week as many governing bodies take spring break; if you’re new here, you can see what this section usually looks like in prior issues

Past Week Roundup

Atlanta Public Schools

The Board of Education moved forward with several major infrastructure and logistics decisions this week, signaling a wave of upcoming construction and renovations across the district. Most notably, the board approved a ten-year lease agreement for the fields at Howard Middle School with the Inter Atlanta Football Club and greenlit a large-scale design-build contract that will kickstart improvements at five separate school properties. On the technology and safety front, the district is investing in a new camera system for its entire yellow bus fleet and a complete overhaul of the Metropolitan Transportation System's logistics facility. To address staff retention, officials also authorized a one-time "Appreciation Stipend" for employees. Other approvals included kitchen modernizations, funding increases for ongoing HVAC projects, and a new shared parking agreement aimed at easing street-level congestion near one of its elementary campuses.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits
- 1405 Clifton Rd NE — The Egleston Hospital demolition is in "gear up" mode. A construction trailer is being moved onto the surface lot to manage the teardown. If you commute down Clifton, prepare for the heavy machinery to start making its presence known.
- Clairmont Rd — A $70,000 office renovation is in the works. They're moving doors and giving the space a "cosmetic" facelift. It's always nice to see a little investment in our professional spaces, even if it's just a glow-up.
- 1364 Clifton Rd NE — This building is getting a serious tech upgrade. We're talking 146 new data cables and 22 speakers. Between the sprinklers and the wiring, someone is making sure this workspace is both very safe and very connected.
- The Neighborhood at Large — Aside from the big stuff, there are 18 single-family home projects in the works across the area, including two significant additions. Also, heads up for the woodchippers: six permits were issued this week for removing dead or hazardous trees. Watch your step (and your roof)!

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 236 & Shepherds Ln Signal Upgrade — Right near Woodland Hills and Lavista Park, crews are currently out there upgrading the signals at Lavista and Shepherds. It's a tight spot, so expect some brief lane shifts while they modernize the tech and keep an eye out for workers near the curb.
- SR 236 EB @ SR 155 Left Turn Lane Extension — If you spend any time in Toco Hills, you know this intersection is a beast. Work is underway to extend the left turn lane on Lavista (EB) at Clairmont Road. It'll be a win for traffic flow eventually, but for now, watch for orange cones and slow-moving equipment right in the heart of the shopping district.

Construction Work Program
- SR 155 & SR 236 at North Druid Hills Road & Azalea Circle — Get ready to see more sneakers and bikes near Toco Hills. 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. It'll make the trek to the shopping center much safer, though the construction phase will likely pinch lanes.
- North Druid Hills Road Bridge over CSX (Spring Creek Drive to Willivee Drive) — This is a major "heads up" for the Briarcliff Heights crowd. Bridge work is coming to the 2,600-foot corridor near the tracks. Since this is a primary artery for the neighborhood, expect some significant ripples in your morning commute once the crews arrive.
- SR 8 / Ponce De Leon Ave at Eastlake & North Ponce — Roundabouts are coming to the Ponce corridor. We're looking at two of them: one at Eastlake and another at the tricky five-way intersection at North Ponce and the Parkwoods. It'll be a significant change for the Druid Hills flow, so start practicing your yielding now.
- SR 155/US 23 at SR 236 — The Briarcliff and North Druid Hills intersection is getting a restriping makeover. It's a quick fix compared to the others, but anything that makes the lane assignments clearer at this messy junction is a win in our book.
- SR 8 / Ponce De Leon Ave at Lullwater Creek — Our scenic bridge over Lullwater Creek is scheduled for some structural maintenance. It's essential work to keep the old girl standing, but it'll likely mean some delays for those heading into the Highlands or Emory.
- Scott Blvd Complete Streets Plan — This is a big "stay tuned." While the exact work type is still being finalized in the system, this thoroughfare is in the pipeline for improvements. Given the "Complete Streets" title, expect a focus on making this car-heavy route friendlier for everyone else.
- SR 8 / Ponce De Leon Ave (South Ponce to Ridgecrest Road) — GDOT is tackling drainage improvements along this stretch of Ponce. It's not the most exciting update, but for anyone who has hydroplaned during a July thunderstorm, this is a very welcome "Construction Work Program" addition.

Service Requests
- Pothole Patrol — Oakdale Rd NE is currently a bit of a Swiss cheese situation with seven reports, plus more at the Ponce intersection. We've also got eyes on craters at Palafox Dr near Arlington Pkwy and Argonne Way. Your suspension has been warned.
- Traffic Signal Glitches — Keep your eyes peeled at the busy N Decatur Rd & Briarcliff Rd NE junction and the corner of Oakdale and Ponce; signal repairs are on the to-do list for both. Just what we need at rush hour, right?