Presented by Rally Built Homes

Hey y’all, before we get into it, two quick things: 1. Did you know if you have any questions or feedback you can just reply to this email? We read and reply to pretty much everything. 2. Next week we’ll be publishing Tuesday morning due to some staff vacation time, but then we’ll be back to our normal Monday morning routine.

Hey, Midtown! This week: JuNi is now open for omakase at The Juniper, with a donburi menu set to launch at the end of October, and Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza has signed a lease at the same building for a spring 2027 opening. Add a Halloween-heavy calendar, a split 8-7 council vote on the city jail, and Georgia Tech and Emory's $1.1 billion AI push, and you've got plenty to dig into.

- News — The City Council voted 8-7 to sell the Atlanta City Detention Center to Fulton County for $68 million, Georgia Tech and Emory announced a combined $1.1 billion AI investment, and an LGBTQ landmark faces demolition.
- Business — JuNi has opened its upstairs omakase room at 12th and Juniper, and Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza has signed a lease at The Juniper for spring 2027.
- Events — Buena Vista Social Club plays the Fox Oct. 27 through Nov. 1, and Halloween brings the Midtown Halloween Block Party on Oct. 30–31, the Midtown Halloween Bash on Penn Avenue and candlelit tours at Rhodes Hall.
- Government — Fulton County approved a three-month bridge contract to keep seniors' ride-sharing going, Atlanta Public Schools discussed AI classroom rules without a vote, and a week of City Council committee meetings is lined up.
- Construction — Office buildouts are stacking up along Peachtree, demolition is underway for a future restaurant at 1010 Spring St NW, and seven traffic signal repair reports came in along the corridor.

Let's dive in.

J. Goldsmith is one of Atlanta’s foremost experts on backyard renovations. From thoughtful backyard planning to complete outdoor living projects, they help homeowners create spaces designed around the way they live. For a limited time, Busybody ATL readers can get $500 off projects of $5k or more, and $1k off projects of $10k or more! Contact them here and tell them we sent you.

Arthritis Foundation debuts renovated headquarters in Midtown
The nearly 30,000-square-foot headquarters at 1355 Peachtree Street adds the Jane Wyman Studio, the foundation's first in-house media production studio, along with updated meeting spaces and multimedia donor displays. Warren Hanks Construction Co. completed the renovation, and Smart Interior Group handled the design.

Atlanta's largest law firm recommits to Midtown office tower
Alston & Bird signed a lease renewal at One Atlantic Center. The tower's owner also secured new long-term financing.

$1 billion investment from Georgia Tech and Emory bets big on AI
The joint investment of over $1.1 billion consists of $575 million from Georgia Tech and $600 million from Emory. The announcements also noted that Georgia Tech's Nexus supercomputer, built with the National Science Foundation and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is coming online at Tech Square, with 90 percent of its capacity open to researchers nationwide.

Atlanta City Council votes to sell detention center to Fulton County for $68 million
The council authorized the sale in an 8-7 vote after an hours-long debate, with a target closing date of Dec. 2. If negotiations run past that date, the city will pay $150 per detainee daily.

Atlanta house with LGBTQ historical significance faces demolition threat
The house on Ponce de Leon Place NE in nearby Virginia Highland is where Michael Hardwick was arrested in 1982, which led to the 1986 Supreme Court ruling in Bowers v. Hardwick that was overturned in 2003. The owner is seeking zoning variances to replace it with a new two-story home and a pool. NPU-F deferred the request on Oct. 21, and the Board of Zoning Adjustment holds a public hearing Nov. 5.

BUSINESS

JuNi opens for omakase dining in Midtown, donburi menu launching soon — Circle Sushi founder Yukihiko "Yuki" Tanaka has opened JuNi, a Japanese restaurant with upstairs omakase dining, at The Juniper on the corner of 12th and Juniper streets in Midtown, and it is scheduled to begin serving donburi downstairs at the end of October.

Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza opening Midtown location next spring — The pizzeria has signed a lease for a 2,043-square-foot space with a nearly 750-square-foot patio at The Juniper (1081 Juniper Street) in Midtown, with its opening scheduled for spring 2027.

Need a plumber, roofer, or other home pro? The Southern Shmooze is Atlanta's front porch for finding trusted home pros. The Southern Shmooze connects Atlantans with a vetted network of local home services businesses, backed by a Facebook community of more than 17,000 Atlanta locals.

Run a local business? Apply here to get Shmooze certified! It’s free to apply, and approved businesses can connect directly with the Shmooze community. Paid membership options offer additional benefits including homeowner leads, preferred directory placement, promotion, events, and more.

Monday, October 26
- Like Father | Hertz Stage at Alliance Theatre
- Frame by Frame: The Art of Stop-Motion Animation | Center for Puppetry Arts
- Atlanta Running Meetup | 7pm - 9pm/Park Tavern

Tuesday, October 27
- Buena Vista Social Club (Oct. 27–Nov. 1) | Fox Theatre Atlanta
- Make@MODA: Handmade Altars – Oct. 27 | Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
- Author Talk with Karla Montalván | Margaret Mitchell House & Museum
- Big Peach Social Run | 6:30pm/Big Peach Ride and Run
- Yoga Flow at 10th Street Park | 6pm - 7pm/10th Street Park
- Colony Kids | 4pm - 6pm/Colony Square Midtown
- Jai’Len Josey | THE LOFT
- Weekly Walking Club | Piedmont Park
- Legends and Lore at Rhodes Hall | Rhodes Hall
- Hand Embroidery Workshop: Halloween Edition | Museum of Design Atlanta - Back Gallery

Wednesday, October 28
- Sound Bath at CODA | 12:15pm - 12:45pm/CODA
- Yoga on the Square | 6pm - 7pm/Colony Square Midtown
- Low Cut Connie | Center Stage Theater
- Storybook Time | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Block Printing: Seasonal Cards | Museum of Design Atlanta - Back Gallery
- Brian Dunne | Vinyl

Thursday, October 29
- Lucy Darling: Halloween Spooktacular | Fox Theatre
- Jon B. | Center Stage Theatre
- Fest-of-Ale | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Midtown Community Meeting | Midtown Neighbors Association

Friday, October 30
- Midtown Halloween Block Party (Oct. 30–31) | Politan Row at Colony Square
- Disney's Hocus Pocus in Concert | Atlanta Symphony Hall
- “A Mighty Fortress” Concert | Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
- Daft Disko Halloween | THE LOFT

Saturday, October 31
- almost monday | Center Stage Theatre
- Green Market | Green Market
- Garden Chef Demo: Megan McCarthy | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Boo-tanical Seed Exchange | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Midtown Halloween Bash | Midtown Neighbors Association

Sunday, November 1
- Roob and Noob (Nov. 1–7) | Alliance Theatre
- Out of the Darkness Community Walks | Piedmont Park
- Stand-Up Comedy Class Graduation Show – November 1, 2026 at 5:00pm | Laughing Skull Lounge

Neil Hediger Real Estate combines more than 35 years of living in Atlanta with 23+ years of real estate experience and a deep background in marketing. As an Atlanta Board Top Producer, Neil knows Atlanta — its neighborhoods, its properties and the nuances that can make the difference in a successful sale or purchase. He brings creative strategy, seasoned guidance and a highly personal approach to every client. Whether you’re buying or selling, contact Neil Hediger today to put that experience to work for you.

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

Past Week Roundup

Fulton County Board of Commissioners
Commissioners voted 6-0 to bring county taxes into Alpharetta's North Point Mall tax allocation district, but only after they cut out the use of those funds to buy real estate. Two proposals from Commissioner Dana Barrett failed, one to lift the 5% cap on department budget requests for 2027 and one urging action against corporate takeovers of medical practices. The board held a $9.59 million, 12-month senior transportation contract with Transdev at the chairman's request. Instead, it approved a three-month, $1.06 million bridge contract with Common Courtesy so seniors 60 and older keep their ride-sharing service through March 31, 2027. Commissioners also approved $3 million in standby water system construction contracts, which keeps emergency repairs covered through the end of 2027. A proposed county policy on generative AI was pulled from the agenda before anyone considered it.

Atlanta Public Schools
The Policy Review Committee met and discussed a new policy on how students and teachers can use artificial intelligence in classrooms. Members also looked over the draft 2027 legislative priorities the board will bring to state lawmakers. Nobody took a vote, so neither item has taken effect. Both will have to go back to the full board for formal approval, which means you'll still have time to weigh in before any rules reach your child's classroom. A separate Board of Education meeting that day produced no recorded actions in its posted record.

Atlanta City Council
As covered in today's news section, the council took up the sale of the city detention center to Fulton County. The full council's Monday meeting agenda also included a ban on using city drinking water to cool data centers, a task force to recommend data center rules, and a $2 million federal grant for streetscape design at Centennial Yards. Other items on the agenda were a proposed ban on septic tanks in new commercial projects and protections for ratepayers hit by sudden water bill spikes. Minutes aren't yet published for either meeting, so outcomes aren't confirmed. The Committee on Council met earlier that day and had on its agenda a request for certified police officers at city recreation centers used as polling sites. It also considered rules that would make speakers at council meetings go in sign-up order, an outside investigation into city contracts with Foris Webb, III, and a charter change requiring every piece of legislation to name a council sponsor.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

Atlanta City Council
- Bulldogs (893 Peachtree St NE) — A special use permit is being proposed to allow an outdoor sales area for the establishment along Peachtree Street.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee | Oct-26, 11:00 AM | key topics: self-storage development moratorium, citywide definition of family, BeltLine mixed-use rezonings
- Atlanta City Council — Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee | Oct-26, 1:00 PM | key topics: anonymous housing code complaint protections, E911 network modernization, retail alcohol distance waiver
- Atlanta City Council — City Utilities Committee | Oct-27, 10:00 AM | key topics: commercial septic tank ban, water distribution rehabilitation, annual storm sewer contracts
- Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee | Oct-27, 1:30 PM | key topics: BeltLine TAD funding allocations, tree recompense fee waiver for grocery store, federal housing grants
- Atlanta City Council — Transportation Committee | Oct-28, 10:00 AM | key topics: Habersham and Valley roads roundabout, neighborhood traffic calming, airport infrastructure grants
- Atlanta City Council — Finance/Executive Committee | Oct-28, 1:30 PM | key topics: Glynn Drive annexation and school expansion, urban forestry agreement, data center tax abatement rules

CONSTRUCTION | Presented by

If you’re thinking about a residential renovation to create a space that’s comfortable, memorable, and personalized for you, look no further than Rally Built Homes. Learn more here.

Permits
- 1170 Peachtree St NE: A second-generation buildout is pending in a vacant suite of a multi-story office building. An existing tenant is expanding, which is a good sign for office demand in the area.
- 1349 W Peachtree St NW: An interior buildout is pending for a business suite in an existing building. Work includes new walls and doors.
- 1375 Peachtree St NE: An interior alteration is under review for a second-generation space in a multi-tenant building. The work creates a speculative suite that will sit ready for a future tenant.
- 201 14th St NE: A renovation of a 1,296 SF condominium clubhouse is under review. It includes selective demolition, so you may hear some interior work if you live close by.
- 1105 W Peachtree St NE: A single-floor tenant renovation is pending inside the existing office tower. The project will run in phases.
- 10 10th St NE: An alteration is ready to issue for a vacant office suite. It adds space to an existing tenant's footprint.
- 1010 Spring St NW: Interior demolition is issued for a future restaurant. Crews are removing existing walls and openings, so a new place to eat is on the way.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 8 & SR 8 We from SR 3 to SR 42 — Crews are repaving SR 8, which includes Ponce de Leon Avenue, between SR 3 (Northside Drive) and SR 42 (Moreland Avenue/Briarcliff Road).
- Bridge Preservation @ 7 Locs in Cobb|dekalb & Fulton — Crews are resurfacing decks, painting steel beams and replacing joints on several metro bridges. Closest to Midtown is Deering Road over the I-75/I-85 ramp.
- I-75 from I-85 to Memorial Drive — LED fixtures are replacing the old sodium streetlights along I-75 from I-85 to Memorial Drive.
- SR 9 Fm SR 3 to N of Paces Ferry Rd &Sr 9 So Fm SR 9 to SR 9 — Crews are repaving SR 9 (Peachtree Street/Road) from SR 3 north to just past Paces Ferry Road.
- I-75 @ Ralph Mcgill Blvd & @ Baker Street - Tunnel Lighting — Crews are replacing the old sodium lights with LED fixtures in the I-75 tunnels at Ralph McGill Boulevard and Baker Street.
- SR 3/Us 41 from Cs 1704/Tech Pkwy to Cs 696/Hemphill Ave — The cluster of intersections where Northside Drive meets 14th Street and Hemphill Avenue is being simplified so its signals can be timed more flexibly.
- SR 237 @ Lindbergh Dr & Way Install Signal & Ped Facilities — A new traffic signal and pedestrian crossings are going in on SR 237 (Piedmont Road) at Lindbergh Drive and Lindbergh Way.
- SR 237 @ Main St Install Mid-block Crossing & Phb — A mid-block crosswalk with a pedestrian hybrid beacon, a signal drivers must stop for when someone is crossing, is going in on SR 237 at Main Street.
- I-85 from I-75 to N of Lenox Road - Lighting — LED fixtures are replacing the old sodium lights along I-85 from I-75 to just north of Lenox Road.
- Buford Spring Connector @ I-85 - Tunnel Lighting — LED fixtures are replacing the old sodium lights in the Buford Spring Connector tunnel at I-85.

Service Requests
- Traffic Signal Repairs: Seven non-emergency reports came in from October 19 to 21. They cover Peachtree St at 12th St, 15th St NE, Juniper at 5th St, Peachtree St at 3rd St, and Peachtree St NE at 5th St, plus two more spots. If you drive Peachtree, expect some signal trouble along the corridor.
- Sign Repair, Replacement, or Installation: Two reports were filed on October 21 for 4th St at Piedmont Ave and 4th St at Juniper St.

Want to sponsor us? Submit here

Want to alter your neighborhood selections? Submit here

Want to promote an event? Submit here

Until next week,
Midtown Busybody

Popsmith is scaling fast. With a 45% repeat purchase rate in 2025, $20M+ in lifetime revenue, and $9M in projected 2026 revenue, this premium popcorn company is expanding its retail reach and inviting individual investors to join its next phase before the round closes.

Become a Popsmith Shareholder

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.