Midtown: A 60-Story Skyline Bet and a 60-Year Dairy Queen Gone

Hey Midtown — big week for the neighborhood's skyline and its streets. Fresh renderings dropped for the 60-story tower rising at 1072 West Peachtree, and while that future is being built, a beloved past closed its doors: the North Avenue Dairy Queen served its last Blizzard after nearly six decades. Keep reading for all of it, plus a packed week of government action, a wine bar on the way, and VaHi Porchfest this Saturday.

- News — Atlanta's tallest building in 30 years gets a skypark and serious momentum, NCR signals a quiet retreat from its Spring Street HQ, and City Council votes to put Piedmont Park's chaotic event scene under a microscope.
- Business — A new subscription-based primary care clinic opens in Midtown just as the 60-year-old North Avenue Dairy Queen closes for good.
- Events — VaHi Porchfest takes over Virginia-Highland on Saturday, and One Night of Queen hits Atlanta Symphony Hall on Tuesday — it's a full week from start to finish.
- Government — City Council greenlit a $1.3B airport bond, temporary FIFA alcohol rules, and a $200K donation to the Piedmont Park Conservancy — and this week, committees tackle the FY2027 budget, Peachtree Street improvements, and a Beltline bike lane resolution.
- Construction — Peachtree Street is finally getting repaved for the first time since 2012, a new wine bar called Kobap Exchange is permitting hard on West Peachtree, and 17 traffic signal malfunctions are snarling the core grid right now.

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Let’s dive in.

NEWS

Atlanta City Council forms group to address safety concerns at Piedmont Park
The Atlanta City Council has approved a dedicated committee to scrutinize safety and crowd management protocols for large events at Piedmont Park — a direct response to mounting complaints from neighbors who've had enough. The group will dig into permitting practices and security measures to make sure the park's packed event calendar doesn't keep spilling trouble into surrounding streets.

As NCR looks to sublease Midtown HQ, landlord eyes the future
NCR's move to put its Spring Street headquarters campus on the sublease market is a notable signal about the shifting landscape of Midtown's tech corridor — one of the neighborhood's anchor employers is quietly pulling back its footprint. The building's ownership is already thinking ahead, weighing commercial and mixed-use possibilities for a property that sits on some of the most coveted real estate in the city.

Fresh images, details revealed for Atlanta's tallest building in 30 years
The 60-story tower planned for 1072 West Peachtree just got a lot more real, with fresh renderings and new details confirming it will be the most dramatic addition to the Atlanta skyline since the 1990s boom. Along with hundreds of residential units, the development will crown its upper floors with a "skypark" amenity that signals just how seriously developers are betting on Midtown's continued rise.

Atlanta City Council Moves Forward with $10 Billion Neighborhood Reinvestment Plan
The Atlanta City Council has accepted recommendations for a sweeping, multi-billion-dollar initiative targeting neighborhood infrastructure and affordable housing across the city — the kind of investment that, if it holds together, could reshape communities for a generation. Potential Tax Allocation District extensions have some residents watching closely, with several areas that could see meaningful long-term impact.

BUSINESS

About You Family Medicine - opening - A direct primary care practice built around the subscription model — think a flat monthly fee in exchange for more face time with your doctor and fewer insurance headaches — has landed a new Midtown location, offering the neighborhood a genuinely different approach to everyday healthcare.

Dairy Queen - closing - The beloved "barn" location at 410 North Avenue has served its last Blizzard after nearly sixty years on that corner — a real end of an era for anyone who grew up measuring summer by a drive up North Avenue.

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EVENTS

VaHi Porchfest on Saturday is the week's marquee neighborhood happening — a beloved block-by-block music crawl through Virginia-Highland where local and regional acts perform live from front porches across the neighborhood. If you've never experienced the organized chaos of wandering porch to porch with a cold drink in hand, this is your week. Plan your route ahead and leave the car at home.

Monday, May 11
- Community Game Night | Piedmont Park
- Victoryland | Vinyl
- Clear Admit MBA Prospective Student Fair | Georgia Tech's Scheller College of Business

Tuesday, May 12
- Alston Lecture: Beyond Beauty by Sam Hoadley | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- One Night of Queen | Atlanta Symphony Hall
- Community Craft Night | Piedmont Park
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Baseball vs. Mercer Bears Baseball | Russ Chandler Stadium
- Hand and Rod 101 | Center For Puppetry Arts
- Drop-In Garden Tours | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales | Center for Puppetry Arts
- Garden Playtime | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Tommy Zuko: New Mainstream Tour | Vinyl

Wednesday, May 13
- In The Wild x Porchfest: Find Your Porchfest Date | Park Tavern
- FattMack | Center Stage Theater
- 20s and 30s May Social Event | First Presbyterian Church

Thursday, May 14
- Infrastructure Committee Meeting | Midtown Neighbors Association
- Mozart's Jupiter Symphony | Atlanta Symphony Hall
- Pickles for the People | Piedmont Park
- Emo Orchestra | The Loft
- Garden Grooves | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Atlanta Botanical Garden with Together at First | First Presbyterian Church

Friday, May 15
- Jörg Widmann & Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Alina Ibragimova | Atlanta Symphony Hall
- SCAD Presents: Putnam County Spelling Bee | SCADshow
- New InCommunity Exhibit at Woodruff Arts Center Celebrates Individual Artists | Woodruff Arts Center
- Zoltan Kaszas | Center Stage Theatre

Saturday, May 16
- Green Market | Piedmont Park
- Fox Theatre Hosts Marcus King Band | Fox Theatre
- Puppetry Now Featuring Tom Lee Special Exhibition | Center For Puppetry Arts
- Ruslan KD | CENTER STAGE – THE VINYL
- Atlanta United Watch Party with Brad Guzan | Kimpton The Shane Hotel
- VaHi Porchfest | Virginia-Highland

Sunday, May 17
- Midtown Garden Stroll | Garden Stroll Market & Guest Hub
- YVES TOUR 2026: THE AMERICAS | Center Stage Theater
- May Concerts at First performance | First Presbyterian Church

GOVERNMENT

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

Past Week Roundup

Atlanta City Council

The Atlanta City Council had a packed session on May 4, approving a $1.3 billion bond issuance for improvements at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and a $39 million contract to build a brand-new 911 Center. FIFA World Cup preparations took center stage with two approvals: a $52 million grant application and a temporary suspension of the public alcohol ban in specific downtown areas from June 11 through July 19 — a first for the city during a major sporting event. Closer to home for Midtown residents, the Council established the Special Event Technical Advisory Group (SETAG), a new body that will review and recommend improvements to the special event permitting process with a specific focus on impacts to Piedmont Park, passing 12-1. The Council also approved a resolution directing a comprehensive review of all city administrative offices not specifically required by the City Charter, with the goal of identifying potential staffing reductions — a move that could reshape city government in the months ahead. A proposed supplemental bond ordinance for water and wastewater sustainability was tabled and sent back to the Finance/Executive Committee, while a controversial redevelopment proposal was put on hold pending a community impact review.

Committee on Council

Meeting just before the full Council on May 4, the Committee on Council recommended several advisory board appointments, including new members to the Beltline's Affordable Housing Advisory Board and Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee — bodies that directly influence how Beltline-area development and housing investments get prioritized. The committee also sent forward a 4-0 recommendation requesting that Fulton and DeKalb Counties station POST-certified law enforcement officers at all city recreation centers used as polling places during advance voting and on election days. On the other hand, the committee chose to hold two notable items: an ordinance that would require a primary Council sponsor for most proposed legislation, and a resolution to hire outside counsel for an independent investigation into city contracts involving Foris Webb, III. Both items remain in limbo, with no timeline set for when they'll come back up.

NPU-E

Neighborhood Planning Unit E met virtually on May 5 with a full agenda touching on development, events, and local business — but because minutes have not yet been posted, it's unknown whether any items were actually voted on, approved, deferred, or tabled. The most consequential item scheduled was a proposed ordinance to adopt an updated master plan for Atlanta Beltline Subarea 8, which would be incorporated into the city's Comprehensive Development Plan and affect long-term land use decisions across parts of NPU-D and NPU-E. Also on the agenda: a Special Use Permit application to operate a private club, several property variance requests, and alcohol license applications for new businesses including Pataaka Indian Cuisine, Guru Sushi, and a BBQ Chicken location. Midtown residents who track Piedmont Park's event calendar had several items to watch, with special event applications scheduled for Shaky Knees Music Festival (September 18–20), ONE Musicfest (October 24–25), and a handful of summer events in July. Outcomes for all of these items will remain unofficial until the City of Atlanta or NPU-E publishes its voting report and minutes.

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners convened May 6 with a heavy financial agenda — and because minutes are not yet posted, the following reflects what was scheduled, not confirmed outcomes. The headline item is a proposed authorization of $325 million in Tax Anticipation Notes, a common but significant borrowing mechanism the county uses to cover General Fund expenses while waiting for tax revenues to come in, with repayment expected by December 30, 2026. Also on the agenda: a $28 million contract for the operation and maintenance of wastewater facilities in the North Fulton Service Area, and a $1.44 million change order to upgrade a pump station. The Board was also scheduled to consider $1.2 million for the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program, administered by the Urban League of Greater Atlanta to help households at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. Two separate affordable housing grant projects in the English Avenue neighborhood — one for a 26-unit multifamily building and one for 14 permanently affordable duplexes and single-family homes — were also listed for consideration. As with all agenda-only items, any or all of these proposals may have been deferred, amended, or not taken up.

Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education

The Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education met May 4 and unanimously approved a $1.608 billion tentative budget for FY2027 — the first of two required readings before it becomes final — covering general operations, roughly $174 million in SPLOST capital funds, and $40.6 million for school nutrition. The board also passed two resolutions to extinguish outstanding taxes, interest, and penalties on 38 city property parcels being transferred to the Metro Atlanta Land Bank for conversion into affordable housing, a move that directly supports the City of Atlanta's Housing Affordability Action Plan. On the infrastructure front, the board authorized a MARTA easement at the Metro Transportation Facility to support regional transit improvements, and approved a new five-year lease for the property known as the "Little White House." All items passed 9-0, and the board also authorized use of a Georgia DOE mental health grant and renewed several vendor contracts for services ranging from student assessments to school bus driver uniforms.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

NPU-E
- 196 Montgomery Ferry Dr NE — A Special Use Permit (U-26-7) to allow a private club at this address is scheduled to be heard, with a site plan and tree preservation plan submitted as part of the application.
- 1000 Spring St NE — An alcohol license application for Pataaka Indian Cuisine at this address is on the agenda for NPU review.
- 903 Peachtree St NE — Alcohol license applications for two businesses, Guru Sushi and BBQ Chicken, sharing this address are scheduled to be heard.
- 1106 Crescent Ave NE — Botanico is on the agenda to request a live entertainment permit at this location.
- 931 Monroe Dr NE — A change of ownership for Mellow Mushroom at this address is scheduled for NPU consideration.
- 1328 Peachtree St NE — A variance to allow freestanding signage at this address is on the agenda and may be approved, denied, or deferred at the meeting.
- Piedmont Park — Multiple major special event permit applications — including Shaky Knees Music Festival (Sept. 18–20) and ONE Musicfest (Oct. 24–25) — are scheduled for NPU review, with outcomes to be determined.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee — Monday, May 11 at 11:00 AM
The committee will take up a range of rezoning requests and special use permits across the city, including a proposed rule change for the Cabbagetown and MLK Jr. Landmark Districts. A special use permit for the Ansley Golf Club at 196 Montgomery Ferry Drive NE — a 52-acre private club property — is on the agenda.

- Atlanta City Council — Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee — Monday, May 11 at 1:00 PM
The committee is scheduled to consider a proposed 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses in the Edgewood Corridor, a lease for a new APD Zone 6 precinct, and a firefighter pay plan aimed at improving recruitment and retention.

- Fulton County Board of Commissioners — Tuesday, May 12 at 10:00 AM
This special called meeting is focused solely on the county's Service Delivery Strategy — a legally required agreement between the county and its cities that governs how services like fire, police, and infrastructure are allocated and funded across the region.

- Atlanta City Council — City Utilities Committee — Tuesday, May 12 at 10:00 AM
The committee will consider more than $50 million in sanitary sewer repair contracts, a $24 million expansion of Peachtree Creek watershed infrastructure, and an $8.5 million road resurfacing program. Councilmembers have also requested an update on disruptive street and infrastructure work underway in Midtown.

- Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee — Tuesday, May 12 at 1:30 PM
No agenda is available at this time.

- Atlanta City Council — Wednesday, May 13 at 9:30 AM
No agenda is available at this time.

- Atlanta City Council — Transportation Committee — Wednesday, May 13 at 10:00 AM
The committee will consider a resolution calling for dedicated bicycle and motorized-vehicle lanes along the Atlanta BeltLine, a $3.6 million improvement project on Peachtree Street between North Avenue and West Peachtree Street, and a $824,000 pedestrian safety upgrade on Campbellton Road. A held ordinance designating on-street parking on Lakeview Avenue NE for residential use only is also scheduled for review.

- Atlanta City Council — Finance/Executive Committee — Wednesday, May 13 at 1:30 PM
The committee is set to take up the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 city budget and property tax rates, an annexation of several Woodland Avenue NE properties into the city and Atlanta Public Schools, and over $1.2 million in contracts for in-stream litter collection devices for city waterways. A $200,000 donation to the Piedmont Park Conservancy for park reinvestment is also on the agenda.

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Permits
- 675 W Peachtree St NE — Multiple permits filed for what appears to be a new wine bar called Kobap Exchange, covering electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and a full interior build-out (framing, drywall, millwork, lighting). That's a lot of activity on one address — something is opening here soon.
- 1753 Peachtree St NE — Land development permit filed to replace the entrance drive, mill and repave the parking lot, add landscaping, and install a new water meter. Expect some disruption around this stretch of Peachtree while work is underway.
- 999 Peachtree St NE — Renovation permit routed for review on the 22nd floor of a multi-story office building, focused on restroom demolition and rebuild. Routine for a tower this size, but worth noting if you're in the building.
- 131 Ponce de Leon Ave NE — HVAC replacement for a unit in what appears to be a residential building. Straightforward swap of heat pump and air handler.
- 960 Spring St NW — Fire sprinkler work permitted, adding and relocating sprinklers throughout the building.
- 1360 Peachtree St NE — Low voltage cable installation permitted at a commercial property.

Plus a wave of smaller commercial permits across the area — fire sprinkler updates, HVAC swaps, and electrical work — alongside the usual residential plumbing and HVAC calls.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 13 Resurfacing (Fulton County) — Paving work is underway on SR 13 (Peachtree Street) from SR 9 north to Peachtree Creek. This stretch hasn't seen fresh asphalt since 2012, so the work is overdue — but expect lane restrictions and delays along one of Midtown's busiest corridors while it's happening.
- SR 3/Northside Drive Intersection Improvements at 14th Street & Hemphill Ave (Fulton County) — Active construction is reshaping the awkward three-way cluster at Northside Drive, 14th Street, and Hemphill Avenue. The goal is simplified signal operations and better traffic flow — but getting there means navigating an active work zone. If you're cutting through this corner of Midtown near Georgia Tech, give yourself extra time.
- Buford Spring Connector Tunnel Lighting Upgrade (Fulton County) — Crews are replacing outdated high-pressure sodium lighting with LED fixtures inside the tunnel. Conduit and wiring work may also be in scope. Expect potential lane or shoulder restrictions near the I-85 interchange just south of Midtown.
- I-75 Lighting Upgrade from I-85 to Memorial Drive (Fulton County) — LED lighting is being installed along this I-75 corridor, replacing aging fixtures. Pole, conduit, and wiring replacements are also part of the scope. Nighttime restrictions are likely — factor this in if I-75 is part of your evening commute.
- I-75 Tunnel Lighting at Ralph McGill Blvd & Baker Street (Fulton County) — Tunnel lighting in two locations along I-75 is being upgraded to LED. Conduit and wiring work is included. These tunnels can already be bottlenecks — active construction makes them more so.

Pre-Construction
- Peachtree Street Reconstruction (North Ave to West Peachtree St) — GDOT plans to rebuild this 0.3-mile stretch of Peachtree Street with one 10-foot travel lane in each direction. This is a core Midtown corridor, so expect significant disruption to both drivers and pedestrians once shovels hit the ground.
- SR 9 / 14th Street Realignment (Howell Mill Rd to West Peachtree St) — A planned road transformation along SR 9 and 14th Street is in the pipeline. The realignment touches one of Midtown's busiest cross-streets, and anyone who regularly cuts through this corridor should keep an eye on how the design shapes up.
- SR 9 Utility Relocation (South to Windsor Pkwy) — Utility work is funded and queued up along SR 9. Utility relocations typically precede larger construction, so this may signal more disruption ahead on this corridor.
- Atlanta Traffic Signal Enhancement Program – Phase I — Planned signal upgrades across Atlanta's High Injury Network, with intersections citywide getting new mast-arm installations and full signal overhauls. Midtown's dense grid of signalized intersections means this area is likely to see meaningful improvements — and short-term disruption — when work begins.
- The Stitch – Phase I (I-75/I-85 Capping) — The long-anticipated cap over the Downtown Connector is funded and in pre-construction. Phase I of this landmark project would deck over a portion of I-75/I-85, reconnecting neighborhoods long divided by the highway. Construction hasn't started yet, but this one is worth watching closely.
- SR 13 at Monroe Drive – Roundabout Conversion — The intersection of SR 13 (Piedmont Road) and Monroe Drive is slated to be converted into a multilane hybrid roundabout. For anyone navigating the Piedmont Park and Ansley Park edges, this will eventually change how traffic flows through one of the area's more chaotic intersections.

Utility Work

Atlanta Watershed
- 24-Hour Lane Closures on 10th Street NE for Sewer Mainline Work — Expect lane closures eastbound at 504 10th Street NE between Charles Allen Drive and Monroe Drive for ongoing sewer mainline repairs, starting May 13th and continuing for four weeks.

Service Requests

Traffic signals are causing the most noise this week — 17 malfunction reports have come in across Midtown's core grid, with clusters at 3rd & Peachtree, Peachtree & 5th, and 4th & Peachtree, plus a dozen other intersections. Most are in progress. Potholes were flagged on Little John Trail NE and at Peachtree & 12th. Also on the list: litter removal along Ponce de Leon Ave NE and a sign repair on Spring St NW.