Midtown: A New Park and a Foreclosed Tower

Good morning, Midtown — it's a big week for the neighborhood's skyline and its streets. The Midtown Improvement District just made one of its most consequential land grabs in recent memory, snapping up a 14th Street property for a full public park — and separately, The Peach, that hard-to-miss residential tower over the connector, just sold in a $24.6 million foreclosure. Keep reading for all that, plus a packed week of events and a road and construction roundup that's worth knowing before you hit the streets.

- News — A new park with a performance venue is coming to 14th Street, The Peach tower sold in foreclosure, and Piedmont Park is about to become a living art gallery — a lot moving at once in Midtown.
- Business — A prominent Atlanta law firm is relocating its headquarters to Midtown, adding another marquee name to a district already packed with legal heavyweights.
- Events — Herbie Hancock hits Atlanta Symphony Hall Tuesday, Ari Lennox takes the Fox Theatre stage the same night, and the Midtown Race for MAC returns to Piedmont Park on Saturday — plus a full slate of Mother's Day options Sunday.
- Government — City Council committees authorized $1.3 billion in airport bonds, funded a new 911 center, and approved $3.6 million for Peachtree Street safety upgrades — plus NPU-E meets Tuesday to weigh in on the Beltline Subarea 8 Master Plan and a raft of Midtown permit and event requests.
- Construction — Peachtree Street is getting its first fresh asphalt since 2012, the tangled intersection at 14th and Northside is being overhauled, and seven traffic signal repairs are clustered along the Peachtree corridor right now.

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Let’s dive in.

NEWS

Midtown Alliance to create new park at 98 14th St.
The Midtown Improvement District has quietly made one of the more consequential land acquisitions in the neighborhood's recent memory, snapping up the property at 98 14th St. to develop a full public park. The vision goes well beyond a few benches and some sod — think outdoor performance venue, a restaurant and café, and flexible gathering spaces built for the community to actually use.

I'M SO ATL to Transform Piedmont Park into a Living Art Gallery
Piedmont Park is about to get a lot more interesting. Launching this month, the I'M SO ATL campaign will transform the park into a living art gallery with immersive installations as part of a sweeping city-wide initiative timed ahead of summer 2026.

Work begins on water valve replacement in Midtown intersection
Crews are already on the ground tackling a major water valve replacement at one of Midtown's busier intersections — so if your commute has felt a little off this week, now you know why. Expect some traffic shuffling and possible temporary water service interruptions while the work is underway, with the upside being infrastructure that's actually up to the job.

Landmark Midtown apartment tower sold in $24.6 million foreclosure
The Peach, one of Midtown's most recognizable residential towers perched above the I-75/85 interchange, has changed hands following a $24.6 million foreclosure sale. It's a striking turn for such a visible piece of the skyline, and what comes next for the building — and its residents — bears watching closely.

How Emmi Midtown reached 31 stories on a tight Spring Street site
Getting a 31-story residential tower out of a narrow Spring Street lot is exactly the kind of puzzle that makes urban development either impressive or maddening, depending on your vantage point. Emmi Midtown has pulled it off, and the project stands as the latest evidence that Midtown's core is being filled in with serious density — one engineering challenge at a time.

Atlanta City Council president's first town hall connects residents with city liaisons
The City Council president's inaugural town hall gave Atlanta residents something that can feel surprisingly rare: a room where you can actually put your infrastructure complaint or public safety concern directly in front of someone with the authority to act on it. The format — connecting neighbors with city department heads — is the kind of civic access worth showing up for if it comes to your area next.

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BUSINESS

Drew Eckl & Farnham - relocating - The prominent Atlanta law firm is moving its headquarters to new Midtown office space, adding another marquee name to a district that's increasingly become the address of choice for the city's major legal players.

LumiVita - opening - This hybrid medical-spa wellness brand has launched two new Atlanta-area locations, including a Buckhead flagship that blends clinical services with the spa experience — a concept that's been drawing real interest as the lines between healthcare and self-care continue to blur.

EVENTS

The Midtown Race for MAC returns to Piedmont Park on Saturday for its 12th year — a 5K run/walk that draws the neighborhood together in support of the Midtown Assistance Center. Plan your route accordingly if you're near the park that morning.

Monday, May 4
- Ichiko Aoba | Atlanta Symphony Hall
- Daytime Circle will feature George Wirth | First Presbyterian Church

Tuesday, May 5
- Herbie Hancock | Atlanta Symphony Hall
- Ari Lennox – The Vacancy Tour | Fox Theatre
- Cinco in the Sky at Aerial Kitchen & Bar | Aerial Kitchen & Bar
- Cinco de Mayo at Aveline | Aveline
- Niki in the Garden: Contributing and above Member Preview | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Member Night Garden Chef Demos: Pamela Askerneese-Henry | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Yoga in the Park | Piedmont Park
- Tommy Newport | Center Stage Theater
- Garden Playtime | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Wednesday, May 6
- Social Committee Meeting | Midtown Neighbors Association
- Bike Repair Workshop with SOPO and Science for GA | Piedmont Park

Thursday, May 7
- America @ 250: Spano Conducts Bernstein + Berlioz | Atlanta Symphony Hall
- Craft Workshop: Macrame Wall Hanging | Piedmont Park
- Kranium - A SLIGHT DELAY TOUR | Center Stage Theater
- Taste of Aerial Kitchen & Bar | Epicurean Atlanta, Autograph Collection

Friday, May 8
- Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy Bring Dil Chahta Hai Concert to the Fox Theatre May 8 | Fox Theatre
- Craft Workshop: Silk Scarf Painting | Piedmont Park
- New InCommunity Exhibit at Woodruff Arts Center Celebrates Individual Artists | Woodruff Arts Center
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Baseball vs. Duke Blue Devils Baseball | Russ Chandler Stadium

Saturday, May 9
- Midtown Race for MAC | Piedmont Park
- 23rd Annual Garden Tour hosted by the MGVOCC | TBD
- Green Market | Piedmont Park
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Baseball vs. Duke Blue Devils Baseball | Russ Chandler Stadium
- Brigitte Calls Me Baby | Vinyl

Sunday, May 10
- Xscape: 'The Mother's Day Love Affair' | Fox Theatre
- Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra Finale Concert | Atlanta Symphony Hall
- Mother's Day Brunch with Lazy Betty | Lazy Betty
- Mother's Day Brunch Buffet at Serena Pastificio | Serena Pastificio
- Mother's Day Brunch at Hartley | Hartley Kitchen & Cocktails
- Mother's Day | Establishment Atlanta
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Baseball vs. Duke Blue Devils Baseball | Russ Chandler Stadium

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 – Finance/Executive Committee

The committee's biggest action was authorizing up to $1.3 billion in General Revenue Bonds for major infrastructure improvements at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, part of the airport's long-range master plan. Close behind was a $39 million construction contract for a new city 911 Center — a significant upgrade to Atlanta's emergency response backbone. The committee also approved a $4 million retroactive authorization for water meter installation services and greenlit a clarified ordinance on "Blighted Property" tax rates that creates a clearer path for properties to shed that designation and earn a temporary tax reduction once conditions improve. On the budget front, the committee held final decisions on the FY2027 city budget and property tax rates, deferring those to a May 4 meeting — so homeowners don't yet know what next year's tax bill will look like. A proposal for free summer camp programming at Camp Best Friends stayed in committee on a 5-2 vote, with Councilmembers Amos and Martin dissenting.

Atlanta City Council – Transportation Committee

The committee accepted a $3.6 million grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation for safety improvements along Peachtree Street in the Midtown corridor — a meaningful investment for one of the area's most-traveled pedestrian routes. Members also approved a one-year, $7.5 million contract renewal for citywide sidewalk, curb, and ramp maintenance, and greenlit land acquisitions for both the Proctor Creek Greenway Segment 4 expansion and a new sidewalk project on Moreland Avenue. Multiple easements were approved for the Atlanta Botanical Garden near an abandoned portion of Westminster Drive, though that approval is conditioned on a final sign-off from the City Utilities Committee. A proposal to rename Lee Street SW to "Judge Thelma Cummings Moore Way" passed 6-0. The committee held two notable items for further review: a feasibility study on privatizing TSA screening at Hartsfield-Jackson, and a plan to designate on-street parking on Lakeview Avenue NE as resident-only.

Atlanta City Council – Community Development/Human Services Committee

The committee's most substantial action was a unanimous 5-0 approval of a $52.1 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FEMA earmarked for emergency management and public safety readiness ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Members also authorized nearly $1.9 million to fund construction of Enota Park along the BeltLine, giving the long-planned greenspace project a concrete funding boost. A new ordinance establishing a mandatory 72-hour waiting period before demolition permits can be issued on structurally distressed properties passed 5-0, giving the city — and neighbors — more time to scrutinize rapid teardowns. On a more contentious note, the committee voted 2-0 (with three abstentions) to pause the sale of a city-owned property on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway pending a community impact review. Proposed legislation to create an Office of Short-Term Rentals and a mandatory Airbnb registry was held in committee at the sponsor's request, meaning rules governing short-term rentals in Atlanta neighborhoods remain unresolved for now.

Atlanta City Council – City Utilities Committee

The committee recommended more than $45 million in contract increases for the city's ongoing Sanitary Sewer Repairs Project, including $15 million each for two separate contractor teams — a sign of just how much deferred infrastructure work is being addressed. Members also unanimously authorized a $24 million change order to expand the Peachtree Creek Westside Project to include an Eastside segment, and accepted a $1.28 million donation from The Conservation Fund for stream and floodplain restoration at Hunter Hills Refuge. In a significant real estate move, the committee unanimously approved transferring 12 acres of city-owned land on West Marietta Boulevard to Invest Atlanta for future redevelopment, while reserving part of the site for watershed use. A proposed flood protection waiver for a property on Oldfield Road was deferred for the second time — the committee wants more information before relaxing elevation standards there. One item drew rare dissent: a painting and pressure-washing contract extension adding over $3.2 million passed on a split vote, with one councilmember voting no and two abstaining.

Atlanta City Council – Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee

With the FIFA World Cup on the horizon, the committee unanimously approved a temporary alcohol exemption allowing open-container consumption on specified downtown streets and parking areas from June 11 through July 19, 2026. In a significant civil rights move, the committee also passed a resolution directing Atlanta Police and the Department of Corrections to stop using colorimetric field drug tests as the sole basis for an arrest — those preliminary tests must now be backed by confirmed lab results before charges can proceed. Sworn members of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department received a new competitive compensation plan, passed unanimously, aimed at improving hiring and retention of firefighters. Following concerns raised by recent "404 Day" celebrations, the committee approved launching a formal emergency study of the annual event, including a multi-stakeholder advisory panel to assess neighborhood and resource impacts. A proposed 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses in the Edgewood Corridor was held at the sponsor's request, keeping that debate open for further community input.

Atlanta City Council – Zoning Committee

The Zoning Committee kept its April 27 session brief — wrapping in just 26 minutes — and took a notably cautious posture, holding or deferring most higher-density and commercial proposals while moving smaller single-family items forward. A sign ordinance waiver near Lenox Square on Peachtree Road and a single-family rezoning in Southwest Atlanta both passed unanimously, while four items were forwarded to the full City Council, including a special use permit for a large alcohol-serving establishment on Marietta Street and a personal care home permit. More consequential decisions were punted: a proposal to increase apartment density on Bellview Avenue was held until at least May 4, a digital billboard proposal on Cleveland Circle was sent back for further review, and a sweeping 13.87-acre industrial-to-mixed-use rezoning involving multiple parcels on Sylvan Road and Cox Avenue remains stuck in committee pending additional information. That last item — if eventually approved — would represent one of the more significant land-use shifts considered by the committee this cycle.

Atlanta Public Schools – Board of Education

The April 29 meeting was the final session of the Student Advisory Council (SAC) for the 2025-2026 school year, focused on wrapping up the council's work rather than binding policy decisions. Student leaders spent the session consolidating committee-level recommendations to pass along to district leadership — formal student advice on policy and school experience that the Board of Education may consider going forward. Representatives also summarized outcomes from a recent "Breakfast with the Board" event, where student priorities were shared directly with district officials. While no budget votes, zoning approvals, or operational decisions were made — this is an advisory body — the SAC's recommendations carry real weight as one of the few structured channels for student voices to reach school leadership. The council concluded with recognition of its members for the year's service.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

Atlanta City Council — Transportation Committee
- Peachtree Street (Midtown) — The committee approved a $3.6 million GDOT grant for safety improvements along Peachtree Street in Midtown as part of the "Peachtree Safe Street" initiative.
- Westminster Drive NE (Atlanta Botanical Garden) — The committee approved, on condition of a final City Utilities Committee recommendation, multiple easements granting the Atlanta Botanical Garden access, utility, drainage, and sewer rights on an abandoned stretch of Westminster Drive.
- Lakeview Avenue NE — A proposal to designate on-street parking spaces as "Residential Use Only" was held in committee for further review.

Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee
- Atlanta Botanical Garden — The committee advanced easement and infrastructure items connected to the Botanical Garden, with related utility approvals coordinated through the City Utilities Committee.

Atlanta City Council — City Utilities Committee
- Westminster Drive NE (Atlanta Botanical Garden) — The committee unanimously approved granting approximately 120,000 square feet of easements to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, covering access, utility, drainage, and sewer rights for new infrastructure near the garden's footprint.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council — Committee on Council — Monday, May 4 at 11:30 AM
The committee will take up a resolution requesting certified law enforcement presence at Atlanta recreation centers used as polling places. Also on the agenda: appointments to the Beltline's Affordable Housing Advisory Board and Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee, two appointments to the FY2027 Budget Commission, and a proposed charter change that would require a named council sponsor for most city legislation.

- Atlanta City Council — Monday, May 4 at 1:00 PM
The full council is scheduled to consider a $52.1 million federal grant tied to FIFA World Cup 2026 preparations, a temporary suspension of open-container rules in select downtown areas during the tournament, and the proposed FY2027 budget and tax rates. Also on the agenda: a text amendment that would ban new self-storage facilities within the BeltLine Overlay District, a $1.87 million construction contract for Enota Park, a lease expansion for the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and a $3.6 million grant for the Peachtree Safe Street – Midtown Project. A residential parking designation for Lakeview Ave NE is currently held in committee.

- Atlanta NPU — NPU-E — Tuesday, May 5 at 6:30 PM (Virtual)
A proposed update to the Atlanta Beltline Subarea 8 Master Plan is the headline item, with the NPU set to weigh in on land-use guidance that will shape development across the area for years to come. The board will also consider a slate of special event permits for Piedmont Park — including Shaky Knees (Sept. 18–20) and ONE Musicfest (Oct. 24–25) — along with new alcohol license applications for Pataaka Indian Cuisine (1000 Spring St NE) and two concepts at 903 Peachtree St NE, a live entertainment permit for Botanico (1106 Crescent Ave NE), and a special use permit for a proposed private club at 196 Montgomery Ferry Dr NE. Variance requests will also be heard for properties on Spring Street (1020 Spring St NW), Peachtree Street (1328 Peachtree St NE), and elsewhere in the NPU.

- Fulton County Board of Commissioners — Wednesday, May 6 at 10:00 AM
The board is scheduled to consider $165 million in revenue bonds for a student housing project and $75 million for Georgia Tech Athletic Association facilities, alongside affordable housing grants for two developments in the English Avenue neighborhood. Also on the agenda: a five-year, $28-million-per-year wastewater operations contract for North Fulton, a $325 million tax anticipation note to cover county cash flow ahead of property tax collection, and rental assistance funding through the Urban League of Greater Atlanta.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits

- 1201 Peachtree St NE — Interior alteration permit accepted for a vacant office suite. Work includes selective demolition and a full gut of the space — someone's getting ready to move in.
- 1150 Spring St NW — Multiple fire sprinkler permits issued to bring the building's system up to NFPA 13 code. Routine life-safety work, but the volume of permits here suggests a larger renovation may be underway.
- 1072 W Peachtree St NE — Two child sprinkler permits routed for review, tied to an already-approved project (parent permit BB2023-01). Incremental progress on what looks like a longer buildout.
- 715 Peachtree St NE — Fire sprinkler system updates permitted. Standard compliance work.
- 1200 Peachtree St NE — Sprinkler system relocation permitted per NFPA 13 2022 edition. Interior work only.
- 660 Peachtree St NE — Two temporary electrical permits issued for mainstage tie-ins on May 10th and May 16th. Fox Theatre events — expect some activity around the venue those weekends.

The broader picture: most of this week's activity is mechanical and fire-safety work inside existing commercial buildings. No major new construction or demolition in the mix, and no high-dollar permits reported for the area.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 13 Resurfacing (Fulton County) — Paving work is underway on SR 13 (Peachtree Road/Street) from SR 9 northward to North Fork Peachtree Creek. This stretch hasn't seen fresh asphalt since 2012, so the work is overdue — but expect lane disruptions along one of Midtown's busiest corridors while it's happening.
- SR 3/Northside Drive Intersection Overhaul at 14th Street & Hemphill Ave (Fulton County) — Active construction is reshaping the notoriously tangled intersection cluster at Northside Drive, 14th Street, and Hemphill Avenue. The goal is a simplified layout with improved signal timing flexibility. If you cut through this area to get to or from I-75/I-85, build in extra time — this one can get messy during active work phases.
- Buford Spring Connector Tunnel Lighting Upgrade (Fulton County) — Workers are swapping out old high-pressure sodium tunnel lighting for LED fixtures inside the Buford Spring Connector tunnel near I-85. Conduit and wiring may also be replaced as part of the scope. Expect potential lane restrictions near the tunnel entrance.
- I-75 Lighting Upgrade from I-85 to Memorial Drive (Fulton County) — LED lighting upgrades are in progress along I-75 through the Downtown/Midtown connector stretch. Work may involve pole and conduit replacement in addition to the fixtures themselves — watch for narrow lanes or nighttime closures along this corridor.
- I-75 Tunnel Lighting at Ralph McGill Blvd & Baker Street (Fulton County) — Tunnel lighting inside I-75 at both the Ralph McGill Boulevard and Baker Street underpasses is being converted to LED. Conduit and wiring work is also in scope. These are active construction zones — if you're on I-75 through Downtown, stay alert for reduced lane widths.

Pre-Construction
- Peachtree Street Corridor Rebuild (North Ave to West Peachtree St) — GDOT plans to reconstruct this key 0.3-mile stretch through the heart of Midtown, adding a dedicated 10-foot travel lane in each direction. This one will matter to anyone navigating between North Avenue and West Peachtree — start thinking about alternate routes now.
- SR 9 / 14th Street Realignment (Howell Mill Rd to West Peachtree St) — A full road transformation is planned along SR 9 and 14th Street across this corridor. Once underway, expect meaningful disruption to one of Midtown's busiest east-west connections.
- SR 9 Utility Relocation (North toward Windsor Pkwy) — Underground utility work is queued up along SR 9 in Fulton County. Utility relocations typically precede larger construction phases, so this may signal what's coming next on this corridor.
- Williams Street Study (I-85 SB Ramp to North Ave) — GDOT is scoping a study of this 0.28-mile segment as part of the broader I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector analysis. No construction yet, but the findings could shape significant changes to how traffic flows into and out of Midtown from the south.
- Atlanta Traffic Signal Enhancement Program – Phase I — Signal upgrades are planned at key intersections along Atlanta's High Injury Network, with full mast-arm replacements among the improvements. Better-timed signals could meaningfully improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety at some of Midtown's most congested crossings.
- The Stitch – Phase I (I-75/I-85 Cap) — The much-talked-about project to cap a portion of the Downtown Connector with a pedestrian deck is officially in the pipeline. This is a long-range play, but it's funded and moving — a genuine transformation for the edges of Midtown if it reaches construction.

Service Requests

Seven traffic signal repairs are underway across Midtown, with issues flagged at 3rd St & Peachtree St, Peachtree St NE & John Portman Blvd, W Peachtree St NW & 17th St, N Ave & Spring St, and 17th St NE & W Peachtree St, among others — a heavy concentration along the Peachtree corridor.

Overgrowth and visibility concerns were reported at three locations on Argonne Ave NE.

A downed tree was reported at Monroe Dr & 10th St, and a traffic signal at Monroe Dr NE & Virginia Ave NE needed emergency attention — both have since been resolved.

A pothole reported on William St came back with no problem found.