North Decatur: Modern Living, Sore Abs, and the School List We’re All Dreading

Good morning, North Decatur! Between big movement on the Druid Hills High renovation and a literal "yellow light" on data centers, it’s a big week for our local footprint. We’ve also got the scoop on where to find the best international snacks and how to prep for the upcoming school closure announcement.

- Big Stories — From Druid Hills High wins to the looming school "closure scenarios," we’re breaking down the headlines keeping local parents on their toes.
- Local Business Updates — Get ready to sweat at a new Lulah Hills studio or stock up on global goodies at the neighborhood’s newest international market.
- Upcoming Events — Whether you’re feeling lucky for St. Paddy’s in Decatur or want to catch an Oscar film at the library, your social calendar is officially full.
- Local Government Discussion — We’re talking $21 million for sewer pipes, a "yellow light" for data centers, and the new master plans for our local parks.
- Development & Construction Nearby — From cinema glow-ups to the end of Lawrenceville Highway potholes, here is which construction noise is actually worth the wait.

Let's dive in.

BIG STORIES

DeKalb School Board advances Druid Hills High project (March 10, 2026) Finally, some concrete movement on the renovation front for our local students. The school board just gave the green light to keep this massive modernization project moving forward, which is a huge sigh of relief for parents who’ve been waiting years for these upgrades. It’s about time the building caught up to the talent inside.

Unabashedly modern Frederick Walk project starts coming to market (March 10, 2026) If you’ve noticed 18 sleek, modern townhomes sprouting up where two old houses used to sit, you’re looking at Frederick Walk. These units are officially hitting the market right in the heart of North Druid Hills, proving that our "verdant landscape" is getting a very sharp, contemporary makeover. Perfect for someone who wants the trees without the 1950s maintenance.

DeKalb Schools releasing new closure scenarios on March 20 (March 12, 2026) Mark your calendars for this Friday, because that’s when the district drops the latest "scenarios" for school closures and consolidations. Parents at nearby Ashford Park are already on the offensive, and with the list coming out in just a few days, expect the school board meetings to get very crowded, very fast. Everyone is holding their breath to see if their elementary school made the cut.

State property tax bill would impact DeKalb County SPLOST (March 10, 2026) The state legislature is playing with a property tax bill that could accidentally—or intentionally—take a bite out of DeKalb’s SPLOST funding. It’s basically a high-stakes tug-of-war over your tax dollars, and local officials are worried it’ll mess up the budget for future road and park projects. Just what we needed: more complicated math for our infrastructure.

CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson creating a DeKalb Arts Council (March 12, 2026) Our new CEO is officially getting the band together—or at least the council. She’s moving forward with a dedicated DeKalb Arts Council to give our local creative scene some actual government backing and, fingers crossed, more consistent funding. It’s about time we put some real institutional weight behind all the talent in our neighborhood.

Aviators work to inspire the next generation at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (March 13, 2026) The folks over at PDK are working hard to make sure local kids know that the cockpit isn't just for people in movies. They’ve been hosting events to get students interested in aviation careers, proving that our neighborhood airport is more than just a place for private jets and noise complaints. Who knows? The next pilot on your Delta flight might have started their journey right down the road from Northlake.

LOCAL BUSINESS UPDATES

Solidcore - opening - Get ready to feel the burn, neighbors! This high-intensity, "slow-and-controlled" workout spot is officially joining the lineup at the Lulah Hills redevelopment. It might be a bit of a wait before they open their doors in 2027, but our core muscles are already trembling in anticipation.
(March 12, 2026)

Nam Dae Mun Farmers Market - opening - Our grocery runs are about to get a lot more interesting. This beloved international market has scooped up the old Publix space at Shallowford Exchange, bringing their legendary produce and global finds right to the edge of the neighborhood. Say goodbye to boring meal prep and hello to some of the best snack aisles in the city.
(March 10, 2026)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Get your running shoes and your festival gear ready, because this is the weekend we’ve been waiting for! Between the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival 5K and the Fair Off the Square in Decatur, our neck of the woods is going to be buzzing with community spirit and plenty of outdoor fun.

Monday, March 16
- Weekday Winning: Mega Mondays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- StoryWalk® at Mason Mill Park | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Books and Babies Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Toddler Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Oscar Film Festival | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- English as a Second Language (ESL) | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County

Tuesday, March 17
- Weekday Winning: Toco Tuesdays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Tuesday Trivia @ Toco Hills | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Perler Bead Art | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Nine Dot is the New Lucky Sip this St. Pat’s Day | Downtown Decatur

Wednesday, March 18
- 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
- Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers | Eddie's Attic

Thursday, March 19
- Weekday Winning: Thirsty Thursday | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Discussion | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Widow Jane Whiskey Dinner at Marlow’s Tavern Northlake | Marlow’s Tavern Northlake
- CANYONLAND "TICKETED" | Napoleon's Grill
- Live Poetry Reading with Poet Jericho Brown | Oglethorpe University
- Coffee With The City Manager | Kin Coffee Co.
- Sustainable Landscaping Volunteer Day | Legacy Park

Friday, March 20
- Last of the Red Hot Lovers | OnStage Atlanta
- Chicken & Biscuits | OnStage Atlanta
- Friday Movies | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- HARMONY AND THE HUNTER | Napoleon's Grill
- Sabar Rek 2026 | Ebster Recreation Center
- Candlelight: Tribute to Whitney Houston | The Chapel on Sycamore

Saturday, March 21
- Family Yoga | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- GLOBE SILENT AUCTION | Napoleon's Grill
- Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival 5K | Blackburn Park
- Fair Off the Square | East Court Square
- Music in the Garden with The Pussywillows | Woodlands Garden

Sunday, March 22
- WAY BACK BAND | Napoleon's Grill
- Free Yoga | Wild Heaven Beer

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISCUSSION

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

DeKalb County is currently in "fix-it" mode, and they’ve got the receipts to prove it. The Board of Commissioners spent the last week green-lighting massive investments in the "unsexy but essential" category—specifically a $21 million contract for gravity sewer line restoration. If you enjoy your plumbing working as intended, this is a win, though the scale of the spend suggests the county is playing serious catch-up on aging pipes.

But here’s the thing: it’s not just about pipes. The Board is also putting a temporary yellow light on the data center gold rush. They approved a resolution requiring a full health and environmental impact study before any new data centers can get land disturbance permits. This comes after neighbors raised eyebrows about the noise and massive power demands of these giant server farms. Meanwhile, the county’s furry residents got some job security; Lifeline Animal Project received a $22.2 million contract extension to keep the animal shelter running through 2027.

Also worth noting: The commissioners moved forward with the "DeKalb County Day Center" implementation plan to address homelessness and authorized $3 million for long-overdue repairs at police precincts and the training academy. Most of this is being fueled by SPLOST (sales tax) funds, meaning your shopping trips are directly funding those new police precinct roofs and the upgrades to the Lou Walker Senior Center kitchen.

Most notable to your neighborhood: Local park lovers, take note. The Board allocated $18,800 for improvements at Briarlake Park and another $21,500 to develop a Master Plan for the county-owned parcel at 1634 Briarcliff Road. If you live in Briarlake or Briarcliff Woods, that master plan is the first step in determining exactly how that land will be used for years to come.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Committee of the Whole, March 17, 2026 at 9:00 AM: This is the "dress rehearsal" for the next full board meeting. Expect deep dives into a proposed Water and Sewer Authority study, a new ordinance targeting vagrancy and unauthorized camping, and continued debate on those data center regulations. Significant items include airfield repairs at DeKalb Peachtree (PDK) Airport and a deannexation request for a property in Stone Mountain.

DeKalb County School District

Discussion from the Past Week

The DeKalb Board of Education went on a bit of a spending spree this week, greenlighting tens of millions of dollars in contracts to keep the district’s gears turning. The biggest checks were written for the "unsexy" but essential stuff: $12 million to renew supplemental custodial services (because those hallways don't clean themselves) and another $10 million for a massive maintenance and repair supply contract. They also approved nearly $3 million for district-wide interior lighting upgrades, which should hopefully make the classrooms look a little less like a 1970s office park.

But it wasn't just about lightbulbs and floor wax. The board also put some money toward the district’s "human capital" problem, approving a $1 million recruitment and retention incentive program. This three-year initiative is specifically aimed at getting (and keeping) teachers in high-needs schools. It’s a clear signal that the district is feeling the heat of the ongoing teacher shortage and is willing to pay up to stabilize staffing.

Most notable to your neighborhood: The board finally moved the needle on the long-simmering Druid Hills High School modernization project. They approved a $7.6 million architectural contract amendment to keep the planning phase moving. For those who have been following the saga of the aging campus, this is a major milestone—it’s a hefty chunk of change that signals the district is actually serious about getting the modernization project out of the "discussion" phase and into reality.

DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION NEARBY

Permits
- 2050 Lawrenceville Hwy — Our movie nights are getting a serious glow-up. NCG Cinemas is dropping $157,000 on electrical upgrades and a remodel. Here’s hoping for even better snacks and reclining seats.
- 2512 Blackmon Dr — The Dunkin’ over by Medlock is making things official with new permanent signage. As if we needed help finding the donuts!
- Homewood Ct — A $80,000 interior renovation is officially underway near Northlake. Keep an eye out for contractor trucks and the inevitable dumpster in the driveway.
- Ranchwood Dr (at the Hotel) — The hotel near the Ranchwood entrance is getting a bright update with two new illuminated wall signs and a pylon sign at the road. It’s going to be hard to miss that corner at night now.

Road Work

Under Construction
- Lavista Rd at Clairmont Rd Left Turn Lane Extension — Crews are officially on-site stretching out the turn lane at one of our most-traveled crossroads. If you’re heading toward the heart of Oak Grove or North Druid Hills, give yourself an extra minute for the orange cone shuffle.
- Bridge Preservation on SR 410, SR 10, and SR 13 — Work is underway at six different spots across the county to keep our bridges sturdy, including major work along the Stone Mountain Parkway (Hwy 78). Expect some lane shifts and "bridge work ahead" signs near Scottdale and Medlock Park while they handle repairs, deck work, and fresh painting.

Construction Work Program
- SR 236/Lavista Road (Fulton Line to I-285) — Say goodbye to those pesky potholes; resurfacing is in the works for the entire stretch between the city limits and the Perimeter. Your suspension will thank you later.
- SR 8/US 29 (Fulton to Gwinnett Line) — This massive resurfacing project covers a huge span of Lawrenceville Highway across the county. It’s currently in the bidding phase, so enjoy the smooth-ish roads while they last before the orange cones arrive.
- North Druid Hills Road @ US 78/SR 410 — Big operational upgrades are coming to this notorious bottleneck. The plan includes a new signal for the westbound exit ramp and widening North Druid Hills to three eastbound lanes. Your commute through this junction is about to look very different.
- North Druid Hills Road Bridge at CSX Railroad — Bridge work is slated for the corridor between Spring Creek Drive and Willivee Drive. This is a major artery for Medlock Park neighbors, so this bridge preservation will be one to watch for weekend closures.
- Clairmont Road @ Lavista Road (SR 155 @ SR 236) — A restriping project is planned for this intersection to help clear up some of the "where do I go?" confusion at one of our busiest local crossroads.
- US 78/SR 410 Sign Upgrades (DeKalb & Gwinnett Counties) — Crews will be updating signage at nine different locations along the highway. Since this spans two counties, keep an eye out for crews all the way out toward Stone Mountain and Snellville.
- North Druid Hills Road @ US 78/SR 410 — More love for this specific intersection! They are also planning to extend the eastbound through/right-turn lane by about 245 feet to help keep traffic flowing toward the highway.
- Clairmont Road (Rosecliff Drive to I-85) — This 1.5-mile stretch between the I-85 ramps and Lavista Road is getting "operational improvements." Heads up to Leafmore and Briarcliff Woods neighbors—this is right in your backyard and will likely impact your trek to the interstate.
- North Druid Hills Road & Azalea Circle — Some rare good news for pedestrians! A new shared-use path is planned for the south side of North Druid Hills Road, along with 6-foot-wide sidewalks on the north side. It's a big win for Sagamore Hills walkability.
- I-285 Bridge Preservation (DeKalb County) — Four bridges along the Perimeter are getting a facelift, including new paint, joint replacements, and "polymer overlays." Typical Perimeter maintenance, but always a "heads up" for those weekend "285 is a parking lot" moments.