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Hey, Memorial Drive Corridor! Hope you had a lovely 4th. There’s a lot is moving this week, and some of it hits close to home. Reynoldstown residents are drawing a line over a proposed LED sign on a historic building along your stretch of the corridor, and city council is set to vote on the 180-day self-storage moratorium the mayor already mandated. Read on for the full picture.

- News — Reynoldstown neighbors are fighting a karaoke bar's LED sign on a historic Memorial Drive building, and South DeKalb is drawing fresh investment that could ripple through the whole corridor.
- Business — Joystick Gamebar is closing its original Edgewood Avenue location just North of us for good, but planning on opening a new location in L5P.
- Events — The World Cup community watch party up at Historic 4th Ward Park headlines Saturday, alongside the Atlanta Summer Halal Food Fest and a packed week of Oakland Cemetery tours, zoo events, and live music.
- Government — City council takes up the 180-day self-storage moratorium and the "More MARTA" IGA renegotiation Monday, while DeKalb hears 2026 millage rates, a pet shop sales ban, and a $4.1M Michelle Obama Trail design contract Tuesday.
- Construction — Multi-unit townhomes are actively permitted at 2015 Memorial Dr SE, an LED lighting overhaul is underway along I-20, and traffic signal repairs are in progress at several nearby intersections.

Let's dive in.

NEWS

Reynoldstown residents oppose Yan Karaoke's LED sign on historic building
Neighbors are pushing back against a large LED sign for Yan Karaoke proposed at a historic building along Memorial Drive. The fight is about what gets to go on buildings that have been part of this corridor for generations, and residents aren't staying quiet about it.

Business leaders, advocates betting on South DeKalb
A coalition of business owners and community advocates is putting real energy and investment into South DeKalb, signaling growing confidence in the area's economic potential. For residents along the Memorial Drive corridor, that momentum is directly relevant, as the stretch connects you to communities that stand to benefit most. Keep an eye on where this investment lands and what it means for your side of town.

Enjoy free fitness classes on the Beltline
The Atlanta Beltline is offering free fitness classes this summer, giving you a low-barrier way to get moving without spending a dime. Classes are open to the public, so whether you're a regular trail user or just looking for a reason to get outside, there's an entry point for you. Check the link for options.

Atlanta Public Schools considers new limits on classroom screen time
Atlanta Public Schools is weighing new rules that would cap how much time students spend on screens during the school day. If you have kids in the district, this policy shift could change how their classrooms operate starting as soon as the next school year. The conversation is still developing, so now is a good time to get informed and make your voice heard.

BUSINESS

Joystick Gamebar - relocating - One of Atlanta's most beloved arcade bars is shutting down its original Edgewood Avenue location. The good news, though, is that they’re allegedly opening a new location in Little 5 Points (fitting).

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EVENTS | Presented by

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Monday, July 6
- Cabbagetown Initiative Meeting | Cabbagetown Neighborhood Improvement Association
- ONE Zoning Committee Meeting | Our Neighborhood Edgewood
- Creative Canvas Summer Camp | Oakland Cemetery
- Summer Safari Camp at Zoo Atlanta | Zoo Atlanta
- Oakland Tour | Oakland Cemetery

Tuesday, July 7
- CBF26 Georgia Aquarium Grant Park Trip | Grant Park Recreation Center
- Oakland Tour | Oakland Cemetery

Wednesday, July 8
- ONE Transportation Committee Meeting | Our Neighborhood Edgewood
- HEADBANGERS BALL NIGHT @ 529 | 529 EAV
- Oakland Tour | Oakland Cemetery

Thursday, July 9
- Clothing Co. Presents: Yoga in the Park (Brownwood Park) | Brownwood Park
- Keeper for a Day: Elephants | Zoo Atlanta
- Oakland Tour | Oakland Cemetery

Friday, July 10
- Nelsun | The Earl
- Most Modern w/ In a Darkened Room, Interspeculorum, Vampira @ 529 | 529 Bar
- Oakland Tour | Oakland Cemetery

Saturday, July 11
- Savanna Nights at Zoo Atlanta | Zoo Atlanta
- Exhibition: 'Locals Only' • Summer Group Show | ABV Gallery
- Fifty Ways to Die | Oakland Cemetery
- Keeper for a Day: Reptiles and Amphibians | Zoo Atlanta
- Adventure Cubs | Zoo Atlanta
- Skank and Destroy 2 @ 529 | 529 Bar
- Oakland Tour | Oakland Cemetery
- Atlanta Summer Halal Food Fest – A Global Culinary & Cultural Experience | Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark
- 2026 WORLD CUP COMMUNITY WATCH PARTY IN THE PARK | Historic 4th Ward Park
- TJ and Dave | Dad's Garage

Sunday, July 12
- Strange Bird X Local Honey ATL | Local Honey
- The Jewish Grounds of Oakland | Oakland Cemetery
- Atlanta: Summer Send-Off | Grant Park Coffeehouse
- Grossology Day | Zoo Atlanta
- Rujen | The Earl
- The Wise Man's Fear w/ Advents, The Frst, Sight of Theia @ 529 | 529 Bar
- CASABLANCA 30: Foureigner's All White Affair | 42 Bar
- Oakland Tour | Oakland Cemetery

GOVERNMENT

Note: our information comes from posted meetings documents (agendas and minutes when available) — latest source document hyperlinked to each meeting.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council | Jul-06, 11:30 AM | key topics: E-SPLOST school sales tax special election scheduled for consideration, public comment procedure changes on the agenda, Chattahoochee Brick Company park board appointment is scheduled for a vote
- Atlanta City Council | Jul-06, 1:00 PM | key topics: 180-day self-storage moratorium will be heard, rezoning at 2025 Hosea Williams Dr SE (APD Zone 6 precinct lease) and 708 Kirkwood Ave SE are on the agenda, Jesse Hill Jr. Drive pedestrian plaza conversion scheduled for consideration, "More MARTA" IGA renegotiation resolution is on the agenda
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Committee of the Whole | Jul-07, 9:00 AM
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Board of Commissioners | Jul-07, 9:00 AM | key topics: 2026 property tax millage rates public hearing is scheduled, pet shop sales ban on dogs, cats, and rabbits will be heard, data center moratorium extension is on the agenda, $4.1M Michelle Obama Trail design contract scheduled for a vote
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Planning Commission | Jul-07, 6:00 PM | key topics: industrial-to-residential rezoning along Henrico Road is scheduled for a vote, townhome development near Mercer University will be heard, new package store on Covington Highway is on the agenda

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Permits

The biggest story is 2015 Memorial Dr SE, where multiple permits are routed for review covering new construction of three-story townhome buildings, with a mix of 6-unit and 7-unit structures, each with attached garages and balconies. This is part of a larger planned development (SAP-22-125), so expect a construction presence on that stretch of Memorial Drive for a while.

- 791 Wylie St SE — Roof deck replacement with new framing filed for this multi-family building. Routed for review. Neighbors should expect some noise once work kicks off.
- 256 Clifton St SE — Full roof tear-off and replacement permitted for a commercial property. Currently awaiting additional materials, but the scope includes removing existing asphalt shingles and underlayment.
- 437 Memorial Dr SE — HVAC upgrade filed. One new rooftop unit going in, plus ductwork modifications to an existing unit.
- 560 Fayetteville Rd SE — Commercial plumbing fixture replacement permitted and issued.

Beyond these, the area saw 64 residential and minor permits this week, mostly HVAC, electrical, and general alterations, plus seven arborist permits for dead or hazardous trees. Routine stuff, but the tree removals are worth keeping an eye on if you're near active work zones.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 42/US 23 at Moreland Ave and Arkwright Place (Fulton County) Construction is underway to convert this intersection into a right-in/right-out configuration. A new median will block left turns in both directions, so if you travel this stretch regularly, start thinking about your alternate route now.
- I-20 Lighting Upgrade, Capitol Ave to Flat Shoals Road (Fulton and DeKalb Counties) Workers are replacing the existing highway lighting with LED fixtures along this stretch of I-20. Expect lane activity and overnight work zones as crews replace poles, conduit, and equipment across both counties.
- SR 154 Pedestrian Crossing Improvements (Fulton and DeKalb Counties) Active work is ongoing along SR 154 to add a mid-block pedestrian crossing, a right-in/right-out, and a restricted crossing U-turn between Hill Street and Pearl Street. If you drive or walk this corridor, watch for changed traffic patterns near those intersections.
- I-20 Concrete Rehab, Hill Street to Columbia Drive (Fulton and DeKalb Counties) Crews are resurfacing SR 402/I-20 between Hill Street and Columbia Drive to bring the pavement up to standard. Expect lane closures along this corridor, particularly during off-peak hours.
- SR 260 Pedestrian Safety Improvements at Haas Ave, Eastside Ave, Brownwood Ave, and Joseph Ave (DeKalb County) GDOT is installing rectangular rapid-flashing beacons at several crosswalks along SR 260. The work is close to the eastern edge of the area, so you may hit some disruption if those intersections are part of your regular route.

Service Requests

Here's what neighbors reported this past week:

- Right of Way Overgrowth — Visibility and overgrowth issues logged on Hardee St NE, Montgomery St at Woodbine Ave, Memorial Dr SE, Cleveland St SE, and Hosea L Williams Dr SE, among others.
- Traffic Signal Issues — Repairs underway at Georgia Ave and Grant St, Wylie St SE, and Bill Kennedy Way SE at Glenwood Ave SE. A separate emergency signal repair at Hosea L Williams Dr and Mayson Ave has already been resolved.
- Litter Removal — Requests filed for Roseclair Dr at Tilson Dr and Howell Dr SE.
- Potholes — Reported at Fayetteville Rd NE at Graham Rd and Bouldercrest Dr SE near 1213 Bouldercrest. Both are closed out.
- Sign Repair — Work in progress on Weatherby St SE.
- Downed Tree — Reported on Whiteford Ave, currently being addressed.

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Until next week,
Memorial Drive Corridor Busybody

Disclaimer: We use advanced data retrieval and analysis techniques across hundreds of sources, and may be prone to occasional error. Independently verify information with a secondary source, and please let us know if we got anything wrong via the feedback form.