North Decatur: Lulah Hills Lands Anthropologie as School Closure Talks Begin

Welcome to this week’s update for North Decatur, where major redevelopment and education news are taking center stage. We’re highlighting the first wave of retailers confirmed for Lulah Hills and keeping you informed on critical upcoming discussions regarding DeKalb County school closures.

Big Stories — Retailers like Anthropologie and Refuge Coffee are officially coming to Lulah Hills, while local parents should tune into upcoming talks about potential DeKalb school closures. We also have updates on the May primary candidate field.

Upcoming Events — Get ready for a busy Saturday with the St. Paddy’s Lucky Run and the annual Tour deCatur race taking over local streets. Other highlights this week include Oscar film screenings at the library and Lakeside High’s production of "Anything Goes."

Local Government Discussion — County officials approved $40 million for major water and sewer upgrades alongside funding for Briarlake Park improvements. A rezoning proposal for a new convenience store and pharmacy on North Decatur Road is also moving toward a final vote this Tuesday.

Development & Construction Nearby — A $6.5 million townhome project is slated for Woodland Avenue, and work continues on the massive retaining walls at Lulah Hills. Residents should also expect traffic impacts from active sidewalk construction in the Leafmore area and upcoming bridge work on North Druid Hills Road.

Let’s dive in.

North DeKalb Mall redevelopment bags fresh slate of retailers (March 04, 2026)
The transformation of the former North DeKalb Mall into Lulah Hills has reached a major milestone with the announcement of a new retail lineup including Anthropologie and local favorite Refuge Coffee. This 78-acre mixed-use project is the most significant development in our area, promising to reshape the Medlock Park and North Decatur shopping landscape with new pedestrian-friendly spaces and residential options.

Decaturish Download will discuss DeKalb School closures (March 04, 2026)
Local education advocates and officials are beginning formal discussions regarding potential school closures within the DeKalb County School District. For residents in Medlock Park and North Decatur, these conversations are critical as they could lead to redistricting or the consolidation of neighborhood schools that have served local families for generations.

DeKalb County commission, BOE incumbents facing challengers (March 05, 2026)
The candidate field is now set for the May primary, with several incumbents on the DeKalb County Commission and Board of Education officially facing challengers. This election is particularly high-stakes for our neighborhoods as the winners will oversee major local decisions on residential zoning, infrastructure spending, and the future of the North Decatur schools.

Saturday features two significant local races: the St. Paddy’s Day Lucky Run along the South Peachtree Creek Trail and the annual Tour deCatur at Decatur High School. Residents should expect increased pedestrian activity and potential traffic delays near these routes throughout the morning.

Monday, March 09
- StoryWalk® at Mason Mill Park | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Weekday Winning: Mega Mondays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Crochet Corner | Tobie Grant Homework Center
- Oscar Film Festival | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- English as a Second Language (ESL) | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Midnight Release Party for Mistakes Were Made | Eagle Eye Bookshop

Tuesday, March 10
- Tuesday Trivia @ Toco Hills | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Weekday Winning: Toco Tuesdays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Bingo | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Tiffany Crum & Emily Carpenter – Book Talk | Eagle Eye Bookshop
- The ADHD Field Guide for Adults: Cate Osborn & Erik Gude | Decatur Library

Wednesday, March 11
- Weekday Winning: Wicked Good Wednesday | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Preschool Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Drop-In Technology Support | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Oscar Film Festival | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Robert Olen Butler presents Twice Around a Marriage | Decatur Library
- Literary Open Mic: In Full Bloom | Wild Aster Books

Thursday, March 12
- Weekday Winning: Thirsty Thursday | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Jewelry with Gin Live! | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Anything Goes | Lakeside High School
- Birding Lecture Series: How Birds Work, From Bones to Beak | Woodlands Garden
- Brendan James | Eddie's Attic

Friday, March 13
- Friday Movies | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- TRINA MEADE | Napoleon's Grill
- Anything Goes | Lakeside High School
- Fernbank After Dark: The Big Chill | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings | The Chapel on Sycamore

Saturday, March 14
- St. Paddy's Day Lucky Run 5K/10K/13.1 ATLANTA | South Peachtree Creek Trail
- Sloth Run 5K/10K/13.1 ATLANTA | S Peachtree Creek Trail
- Anything Goes | Lakeside High School
- TOY PARK RANGERS | Napoleon's Grill
- Tour deCatur | Decatur High School
- Bugs Bonanza | Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Spring Fling Market: Handmade Arts and Local Crafts at Harmony Park | Harmony Park

Sunday, March 15
- Rhea Lana's of Decatur Druid Hills Spring & Summer Event | Northlake Mall
- BadAsh All Star Team | Napoleon's Grill
- Free Yoga | Wild Heaven Beer

DeKalb County School District

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board of Education held a multi-part session on March 9, consisting of a Work Session and a formal Business Meeting. These sessions are the primary forum for the Board to review departmental reports and discuss district-wide policy changes before they are brought to an official vote. While the specific legislative results and expenditure details from this session were not yet finalized in the public record, the meeting serves as the central point for the district’s monthly administrative decision-making.

Other topics:
The meeting included an Executive Session, which is typically reserved for confidential discussions regarding personnel matters, litigation, or real estate acquisition. A Community Input Session was also held, allowing residents a dedicated window to address the Board directly with local concerns.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Committee of the Whole and the Planning Commission advanced several high-priority initiatives, with a heavy focus on infrastructure and public safety. A massive investment in the county’s water system was approved to move forward, including over $21 million for gravity sewer line restoration and $19 million for water valve replacements. Additionally, the Committee greenlit the use of SPLOST funds for critical facility repairs, allocating $9 million for health facilities and $3 million for police precincts, specifically the East Precinct and the Police Training Academy. The county also moved forward with a $500,000 evaluation for a new Public Safety Training Facility and an implementation plan for the "DeKalb County Day Center" to serve residents experiencing homelessness. Finally, a significant $22.2 million contract extension for the Lifeline Animal Project was advanced to ensure operation of the county animal shelter through 2027.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
Several development and park projects directly affecting our area were reviewed this week. At 3820 and 3828 North Decatur Road, a proposal was presented to rezone the site for a convenience store with fuel pumps, a drive-through pharmacy, and additional retail space. In the Northlake area, the Planning Commission reviewed a request to build a townhome community at 3003 Chamblee-Tucker Road and 2936 Mercer University Drive. Regarding local parks and land use, the Committee of the Whole approved funding for two specific projects: $18,800 for improvements at Briarlake Park and $21,500 to develop a Master Plan for the property at 1634 Briarcliff Road. These items have been moved to the full Board of Commissioners agenda for a final vote on March 10.

Other topics:
The Planning Commission recommended approval for several residential projects across the county, including a senior housing development on Poplar Falls Road and cottage homes on South Indian Creek Drive. Commissioners also discussed a new resolution that would require health and environmental impact studies before issuing permits for new data centers, reflecting growing community concerns about their industrial footprint.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Board of Commissioners March 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM. The Board will hold final votes on the $21 million sewer restoration contract, the homelessness "Day Center" plan, and the data center impact study resolution. Funding for Briarlake Park improvements and the 1634 Briarcliff Road master plan are also up for final approval.

Permits

Here’s a look at the latest construction and renovation activity across North Decatur and our neck of the woods. From the massive transformation at Lulah Hills to some major new residential projects in Scottdale and Leafmore, there is plenty of work getting underway this week.

- 600 Woodland Ave — Townhouse and residential development, $6,500,000 estimated cost. This is a major lot combination for the "Woodland Points" project, which will eventually include 13 new townhomes and one single-family home.
- Sonata Ter — New construction, $245,000 estimated cost. Plans have been finalized for a new three-story house in the Scottdale area.
- US-78 W (Residential) — New construction, $175,000 estimated cost. A permit was closed for a new 2,928-square-foot, 4-bedroom single-family home.
- 2050 Lawrenceville Hwy — Commercial retaining wall, $61,992 estimated cost. Work continues at the Lulah Hills redevelopment (the former North DeKalb Mall site) with the construction of a large block retaining wall.
- Laurelgate Dr — Residential addition, $81,000 estimated cost. A permit was issued for a new deck and screened-in porch.
- Lindmoor Dr — Residential renovation, $75,000 estimated cost. This project involves a full interior alteration, including moving interior walls and converting a finished space back into a carport.
- 608 DeKalb Industrial Way — Commercial signage. A new channel letter sign is being installed for a local business near the Scottdale/North Decatur border.

Beyond these larger projects, there were 26 other minor residential permits issued this week—mostly for smaller renovations and accessory structures—totaling just over $238,000 in local investment.

Road Work
- SR 236 from Leafmore Place to Pangborn Road — Under Construction. Active work is happening now to improve pedestrian safety. Crews are on-site building new sidewalks that will connect the existing paths along Oak Grove Road and Pangborn Road. Expect traffic impacts in the Leafmore and Oak Grove area while work is underway.
- SR 410 at 2 Locations — Under Construction. Bridge rehabilitation is currently active. Crews are on-site for deck overlays, joint replacements, and painting steel beams. This is actively affecting commutes, so be prepared for potential lane shifts or delays near the Stone Mountain Parkway corridor.
- SR 236 from the Fulton County Line to I-285 — Construction Work Program. This stretch of Lavista Road through North Druid Hills and Northlake is officially funded and approved for resurfacing and maintenance. While crews aren't on-site yet, construction is imminent and should start soon.
- SR 8/US 29 from the Fulton County Line to the Gwinnett County Line — Construction Work Program. This major resurfacing and maintenance project spans multiple counties. It has been approved and funded, meaning we should see work beginning along Lawrenceville Highway in the very near future.
- SR 8/US 29 at North Druid Hills Road — Construction Work Program. Big operational improvements are coming to this busy intersection. The project is funded to signalize the US 78/SR 410 westbound exit ramp and widen North Druid Hills Road to provide three eastbound lanes. Construction hasn't started yet, but contracts are being finalized.
- North Druid Hills Road at the CSX Bridge — Construction Work Program. Improvements are planned for the 2,600-foot corridor between Spring Creek Drive and Willivee Drive. This bridge project is approved and funded, so expect construction to begin shortly near the Medlock Park area.
- SR 155/US 23 at SR 236 — Construction Work Program. The intersection of Clairmont Road and Lavista Road is slated for a restriping project. It is currently in the pipeline and funded, with work expected to start soon.
- SR 10/SR 410/US 78 Sign Upgrades — Construction Work Program. This project spans multiple counties and will involve upgrading highway signs at nine different locations. It is approved and currently moving toward the construction phase.