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Hey Midtown! Hope some of you enjoyed the huge soccer celebration in Piedmont Park yesterday. It's a packed week, and two stories are worth your attention right now: the long-stalled Dewberry site on Peachtree had a scaffolding collapse that's pushing neighbors to demand action, and the Bank of America Plaza may be getting a public observation deck that would be one of the only ones in the entire Southeast. Plenty more below, including a bittersweet restaurant closing and a Saturday in Piedmont Park you'll want to plan around.

- News — A scaffolding collapse at the abandoned Dewberry site is sparking calls for action, and Bank of America Plaza is exploring an observation deck that could change Midtown's skyline experience.
- Business — MetroFresh says goodbye after 21 years, while Enzo Steakhouse plots a Midtown debut this winter.
- Events — Saturday in Piedmont Park is a double-header: the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival and a pool party with fireworks land the same day, plus movies and yoga fill out the midweek.
- Government — The City Council's zoning committee cleared a controversial truck terminal over neighborhood objections, Fulton commissioners blocked Mayor Dickens' TAD extension, and a $15.5M pump station upgrade got the green light.
- Construction — Five permits are moving at 675 W Peachtree suggesting an active buildout, GDOT is repaving SR 13 for the first time since 2012, and pothole crews are hitting 13th, 9th, and West Peachtree.

Let's dive in.

NEWS

Thousands pack Piedmont Park for final World Cup match
The celebration was on as Spain defeated Argentina in the World Cup final. It’s the end of what has been a very successful stretch for Atlanta as a host city.

Work continues on new West Peachtree Street bike lane
Paving, restriping, and installation of a new bike lane and parking spots are mostly complete along West Peachtree Street from Linden Avenue to 14th Street. The project is a Midtown Alliance initiative aimed at adjusting the traffic configuration along that corridor.

Collapse at 'abandoned' Dewberry site triggers concern in Midtown
A scaffolding collapse at the long-stalled Campanile building renovation site on Peachtree Street has prompted local neighbors to call for action regarding the property. The site has remained stripped to its concrete frame for years following a halted redevelopment project.

The next Atlanta traffic fight is over the curb
Atlanta officials are focusing on curb management in dense commercial areas like Midtown, with proposed changes including dedicated loading zones for delivery trucks and rideshare vehicles. Tech-driven solutions are among the tools being considered to keep those vehicles from blocking active traffic lanes.

Retired pharma CEO buys $6.5M Ansley Park home from former Delta exec
Robert Essner, retired head of a major global pharmaceuticals company, purchased a historic early 20th-century residence in Ansley Park for $6.5 million. The seller was a former Delta Air Lines executive.

Atlanta's tallest building might be getting an observation deck
The Bank of America Plaza in Midtown is reportedly exploring the addition of a public observation deck near the top of the tower. If approved, it would be among the only major public observation decks in the Southeast.

Fulton commissioners opt out of Atlanta mayor's tax extension plan
Fulton County commissioners voted to reject Mayor Andre Dickens' proposed extension of Atlanta's Tax Allocation Districts (TAD). The decision affects the city's ability to direct property tax revenues toward long-term redevelopment and infrastructure efforts.

BUSINESS

MetroFresh - closing - The pioneering healthy-eating eatery has permanently closed its Midtown Promenade location after 21 years, following extensive damage from a fire earlier this year.

Enzo Steakhouse & Bar - opening - The Fayetteville-based Italian restaurant and steakhouse is expanding with a second location in Midtown, scheduled to debut this winter.

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EVENTS | Presented by

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Monday, July 20
- Atlanta Running Meetup | 7pm - 9pm/Park Tavern
- Morning Money Mix July Edition | Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee

Tuesday, July 21
- Land Use Committee Meeting | Midtown Neighbors Association
- SPAMALOT: The Tony Award-Winning Best Musical Comedy is Back! | Fox Theatre
- Drawing Orchids in Colored Pencil | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Big Peach Social Run | Big Peach Ride and Run
- Weekly Walking Club | Piedmont Park
- Red Cross Blood Drive | Piedmont Park

Wednesday, July 22
- RESCHEDULED-Midtown Movie Night: Bend it Like Beckham |10th Street Park
- Yoga on the Square | Colony Square Midtown
- SCADshow Summer Series: Raiders of the Lost Ark | SCADshow

Thursday, July 23
- Cocktails in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Garden Mixology | Piedmont Park
- Portuguese Wine Dinner Featuring Cultivamos | Epicurean Atlanta
- SCADFILM Storytellers: Grease Sing-a-Long with Director Randal Kleiser | SCADshow
- Fragments Into Form: A Collage & Zine Workshop | Museum of Design Atlanta
- Third Annual VIVO Summer Strings Institute Concert | Atlanta Symphony Hall
- In The Wild Dating Atlanta: 25+ Exclusive Rooftop Cocktail Party | Park Tavern

Friday, July 24
- The Humanized Athlete 5K | Piedmont Park
- Shows for Seedlings: Teller Productions' Old MacDonald's Hoedown | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Saturday, July 25
- Joining Hearts Pool Party & Fireworks in Piedmont Park | Piedmont Park
- Atlanta Ice Cream Festival | Piedmont Park
- Green Market | Piedmont Park
- Music in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Garden Chef Demos: Pamela Askerneese-Henry | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- The World Improv Cup | Whole World Improv Theatre
- Music for the Very Young: The Lion and the Mouse | The Goizueta Stage for Youth and Families

Sunday, July 26
- The Bukharian Jewish Experience (Event At Capacity) | The Breman Museum
- Bourbon & Brew Tour Experience | ASW Distillery
- Justine Skye | Center Stage Theater

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 council's committees covered a lot of ground this week across six meetings. On the finance side, the Finance/Executive Committee approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign agreements with MARTA and other partners if Atlanta is selected to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention, approved a nearly $6 million cloud services extension with Deloitte, and greenlit a $466,000 sole-source contract for emergency dispatch support — though key items including the FY2027 property tax rates and an updated firefighter pay plan were held for further review. The Zoning Committee voted to recommend a special use permit for a nearly 60-acre truck terminal on Jonesboro Road despite neighborhood opposition, approved two digital changing billboards overriding staff denial recommendations, and advanced a rezoning of the Terminal South site on Hank Aaron Drive to industrial mixed-use, while deferring a major mixed-use residential proposal at the former Lumberyard site on Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard to August. The City Utilities Committee approved a $15.5 million upgrade for the Flint River Pump Station and cleared over $1.79 million in utility adjustments along Roswell Road and Fulton Industrial Boulevard ahead of state repaving projects, while deferring a $2 million stream restoration at Chastain Park and holding a flood-zone variance request for a residential property. On the agenda for meetings without confirmed minutes, the Transportation Committee was scheduled to consider permanently closing a portion of Jesse Hill Jr. Drive near Grady Hospital to create a pedestrian plaza, accepting a $3.6 million federal grant for Peachtree Street improvements, and approving a $2.89 million contract to pave unpaved roads in underserved areas — though any of those items may have been tabled or deferred. The Community Development Committee was set to take up proposals to make all city pools permanently free, fund $1 million in park security, create a new youth community center at Center Hill Park, and establish a formal office to regulate short-term rentals — outcomes are not yet confirmed. Keep an eye on August 3, when the full council is expected to vote on many of the items advanced this week.

Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education

The APS Board of Education's Policy Review Committee met on July 16 and took action on two district-wide policies. The first, Policy IF, governs how student devices, school-provided internet access, and instructional materials are regulated across all Atlanta schools, setting the ground rules for classroom technology use. The second, Policy DFB, addresses the administrative protocols for receiving and allocating state funding, which directly affects how state tax dollars flow into local schools. The published minutes confirm the committee acted on both policies, though specific vote tallies and any amendments were not included in the record. These policy frameworks will shape the day-to-day experience of students and teachers across the district going forward.

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

As covered in today's news section, the Board voted 4-1 to adopt an official policy opposing any extension of the City of Atlanta's Tax Allocation Districts. Beyond that high-profile vote, commissioners approved an $8.95 million temporary staffing contract to support the county's upcoming election cycle and accepted a $9.48 million state grant to plan and design a new Behavioral Health Crisis Center in North Fulton, a significant addition to the region's mental health infrastructure. The Board also approved a grant to help fund a new 149-unit affordable housing development in downtown Atlanta and cleared a separate grant tied to a Mercedes-Benz expansion expected to bring nearly 200 jobs and $32.9 million in private investment to Fulton County. To keep county operations funded while tax rates are finalized, commissioners authorized the county attorney to petition Superior Court for permission to begin collecting 2026 property taxes on a temporary basis.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits

Here's what's moving through the permit pipeline in Midtown this week.

- 999 Peachtree St NE — 15th floor alteration filed. The existing stairs and restrooms stay put, so this reads as a tenant refresh or partial redesign rather than anything structural.
- 75 14th St NE — Two permits filed here. One covers a minor interior refresh with some demolition work. The other is a conversion permit to document existing conditions for a certificate of occupancy, which suggests a tenant is getting official with a space they're already using.
- 1201 Peachtree St NE — Interior alteration filed for a vacant office suite. No changes to the tenant demising walls, so this is likely a pre-lease buildout. Someone is getting ready to move in.
- 45 8th St NE — Antenna installation filed, including four antennas and hybrid cable ground work. Telecom infrastructure, nothing dramatic, but expect some exterior work on the building.
- 675 W Peachtree St NE — Five permits filed for the same address, covering electrical, plumbing (two sink installs), and HVAC duct alterations. These all reference earlier permits, so a larger buildout is already underway and these are finishing touches.

Beyond these highlights, the week brought 34 more commercial permits across the area, mostly electrical, fire sprinkler, and HVAC work. On the residential side, there are 24 additional permits, with HVAC replacements and dead or hazardous tree removals leading the count.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 3/US 41 Intersection Improvements (Fulton County) Crews are reworking the intersection cluster at Northside Drive, 14th Street, and Hemphill Avenue to simplify signal operations and improve traffic flow.
- SR 13 Resurfacing from SR 9 to North Fork Peachtree Creek (Fulton County) GDOT is repaving SR 13, which last saw resurfacing in 2012. The work targets a low pavement condition score on this stretch, so you may hit lane restrictions and construction delays along the route.
- Bridge Preservation at Multiple Locations (Cobb, DeKalb, and Fulton Counties) This multi-county project covers co-polymer overlay, steel beam painting, and bridge joint replacement at seven locations across the region. One of the Fulton County sites falls near the area.
- SR 8 Resurfacing (Fulton County) Repaving is underway on SR 8 between SR 3 and SR 42 to address a low pavement condition score. Expect the usual lane restrictions that come with resurfacing work.
- Buford Spring Connector Tunnel Lighting Upgrade at I-85 (Fulton County) Crews are swapping out older HPS tunnel lighting for LED fixtures. Work may also include conduit and wiring replacement inside the tunnel, which can mean periodic lane or ramp impacts near the connector.

Service Requests
- Potholes — Crews are working on reports along 13th St NE, 9th St NE, and W Peachtree St NW and NE. One report was referred to the sewer division, which suggests at least one of those road issues may run deeper than the surface.
- Traffic Signal Repairs — Two intersections flagged for non-emergency signal work: 5th St NE at Juniper St, and Peachtree St at 11th St. Two additional emergency-level signal reports came in at Virginia Ave and Monroe Dr, and at Peachtree St and 25th St, though both of those have since been resolved or closed out.

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Until next week,
Midtown 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.