VaHi / Morningside: 404 Day Safety Study and a Roundabout Is Coming

Hey, VaHi and Morningside — a lot moved this week, and some of it will literally change how you get around. The Monroe Drive and Piedmont Road intersection is slated for a major roundabout conversion, SR-13 is getting resurfaced, and city council committees were busy approving everything from a new 911 Center to a 72-hour demolition pause that could matter a great deal in neighborhoods like ours. Plenty to dig into below.

- News — A Piedmont Park shooting has city officials pushing for a formal 404 Day safety study, and a sharp new piece asks whether Atlanta's bungalows — the ones that give VaHi and Morningside their character — are disappearing faster than anyone realizes.
- Events — The Midtown Race for MAC brings road closures to Piedmont Park Saturday morning, and the Botanical Garden has a packed week headlined by the Niki de Saint Phalle member preview on Tuesday.
- Government — City council committees approved a $1.3B airport bond, a $39M new 911 Center, and a new 72-hour wait before demolition permits can be issued — while the FY2027 budget and property tax rates got punted to May 4.
- Construction — SR-13 is finally getting resurfaced, a multilane roundabout is planned for Monroe Drive and Piedmont Road, and 2.7 miles of BeltLine Northeast Trail between Lindbergh and I-85 has funding behind it.

Referral Contest Update: With one week to go, Kay S. still leads with 8 referrals! One week left to catch up to her, or she’ll walk away with the grand prize.

As a reminder, whoever makes the most referrals by May 10th wins a $50 gift card to Fifth Group Restaurants. Even if you don’t win the contest, though, we have other rewards you can win (see below). These referrals are much appreciated, as helping us grow means a lot to us and allows us to keep this thing going.

Let’s dive in.

NEWS

Atlanta officials propose 404 Day study after Piedmont Park safety concerns
After a shooting cast a shadow over this year's 404 Day festivities, city leaders are now pushing for a formal study to examine how these massive, largely unpermitted gatherings are managed — and what it costs the surrounding neighborhood to host them. For residents along Monroe Drive and the park's edges, new policies on crowd control and public safety could be coming sooner than expected.

Atlanta's long reckoning with urban renewal and bungalow preservation
Block by block, the older bungalows and modest apartments that define the texture of neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland and Morningside are disappearing — replaced not by grand projects, but by the quiet accumulation of piecemeal redevelopment. A sharp new look at Atlanta's evolution raises an uncomfortable question: by the time anyone notices what's been lost, will it already be too late to save it?

Early Voting for May 19 Primary Underway in Fulton County
Early voting is open now, and the May 19 primary is one worth showing up for — candidates on the ballot will have real influence over zoning decisions, school funding, and public safety priorities that land squarely in your backyard. Don't wait for Election Day; find your nearest Fulton County polling location and go.

Atlanta City Council president's first town hall connects residents with city liaisons
City Council President Overstreet's inaugural town hall put residents in the same room as the department heads who actually control what gets fixed — and what doesn't. If you've been waiting for someone to answer for a crumbling sidewalk or a stalled planning decision, this is the kind of access that doesn't come around often.

I'M SO ATL to Transform Piedmont Park into a Living Art Gallery
Just as city officials are debating how Piedmont Park handles big crowds, a new public art initiative is about to make the park even more of a destination. Launching this month, the "I'm So ATL" campaign will roll out immersive installations across the park as part of a broader effort to turn the city itself into a living gallery ahead of summer 2026.

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EVENTS

The Midtown Race for MAC brings runners through the neighborhood Saturday morning — if you're not lacing up yourself, expect crowds around Piedmont Park. It's a great cause supporting the Midtown Assistance Center, one of Atlanta's most essential community safety nets.

Monday, May 4
- Hermanita residency | Tio Lucho's

Tuesday, May 5
- You're Invited - Piedmont Heights Monthly Neighborhood Meeting | Piedmont Heights Civic Association
- Cinco De Mayo | Neighbor's
- Weekly Walking Club | Piedmont Park
- Yoga in the Park | Piedmont Park
- Niki in the Garden: Contributing and above Member Preview | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Member Night Garden Chef Demos: Pamela Askerneese-Henry | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Anjimile | MJQ Concourse
- Garden Playtime | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Drop-In Garden Tours | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Wednesday, May 6
- Bike Repair Workshop with SOPO and Science for GA | Piedmont Park
- Drop-In Kids Gardening Activity | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Drop-In Garden Tours | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Thursday, May 7
- Craft Workshop: Macrame Wall Hanging | Piedmont Park
- Niki in the Garden: Member Preview | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Hayden Coffman: Take The Lonely Tour with support from Drake McCain | Smith's Olde Bar
- Jaguar Sun | MJQ Concourse
- Garden Grooves | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Drop-In Garden Tours | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Friday, May 8
- Craft Workshop: Silk Scarf Painting | Piedmont Park
- "Baristas vs. Billionaires" Movie Screening at Tara Atlanta | Tara Atlanta
- Brandon Santini | Blind Willie's Blues Club
- Ole Fateful, Cody Marlowe, J.R. Rund | Smith's Olde Bar
- Theo Kandel | Smith's Olde Bar
- Vintage Culture (21+ Event) | District Atlanta

Saturday, May 9
- Midtown Race for MAC | Piedmont Park
- Green Market | Piedmont Park
- 2026 Mourning Glory Gala | The Stave Room
- Breakfield - Formerly Known as Boy Named Banjo with support from Wheelwright | Smith's Olde Bar
- CLUB TRADE W/ RON PULLMAN | 2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, North Druid Hills, GA

Sunday, May 10
- Xscape: 'The Mother's Day Love Affair' | Fox Theatre

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 biggest financial story of the week came out of the Finance/Executive Committee, which approved the issuance of up to $1.3 billion in bonds for improvements at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, covering engineering, design, and construction as part of the airport's master plan. Closer to home for city residents, the committee unanimously approved a $39 million contract to build a new 911 Center — a significant upgrade to the city's emergency response infrastructure. The committee also greenlit $4 million to retroactively cover small water meter installations and approved changes to the city's blighted property tax rules, creating a clearer pathway for properties to exit blight designation and receive a temporary tax reduction as a reward for redevelopment. A proposal to offer free summer camp programming at Camp Best Friends for all city youth was held in committee on a 5-2 vote, with Councilmembers Amos and Martin dissenting, so that decision is on hold until at least May 4. On that same date, residents should also expect a vote on the FY2027 budget and property tax rates, which the committee deferred this week — meaning homeowners don't yet know what next year's tax bill will look like.

Atlanta City Council – Transportation Committee

The Transportation Committee had a busy session on April 29, approving a $7.5 million one-year renewal of the city's sidewalk maintenance and repair contract with Knight & Associates — the agreement that keeps curbs, ramps, and driveway aprons across Atlanta in working order. The committee also accepted a $3.6 million GDOT grant for the Peachtree Safe Street initiative in Midtown, which will fund safety improvements along Peachtree Street. On the trail front, the city was authorized to begin property acquisitions — including condemnation proceedings if needed — for Segment 4 of the Proctor Creek Greenway, an important step in expanding Atlanta's connected trail network. The committee voted to rename Lee Street SW to "Judge Thelma Cummings Moore Way" and approved multiple easements to the Atlanta Botanical Garden on an abandoned stretch of Westminster Drive, contingent on a final sign-off from the City Utilities Committee. Two items remained stuck: a proposal to restrict on-street parking on Lakeview Avenue NE to residents only was held in committee, and a resolution to study whether TSA screening at Hartsfield-Jackson could be privatized was also deferred for further discussion.

Atlanta City Council – Community Development/Human Services Committee

The Community Development committee approved a $52.1 million federal grant — routed through FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security — to fund emergency management and public safety preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a major investment in the city's readiness for one of the largest sporting events on the planet. The committee also moved forward $1.87 million for the construction of Enota Park along the BeltLine, meaning residents can expect construction activity to follow. In a policy move aimed at preserving neighborhood character, the committee approved a new 72-hour mandatory wait period before demolition permits can be issued for structurally distressed properties, giving neighbors and officials a window to respond before a building comes down. A proposal to create a formal Office of Short-Term Rentals and a mandatory Airbnb-style registry was held in committee at the sponsor's request, so rules governing short-term rentals in Atlanta neighborhoods remain unsettled for now. The committee also placed a temporary pause on the sale of a key city-owned property pending a community impact review, with that vote passing 2-0 amid several abstentions.

Atlanta City Council – City Utilities Committee

Infrastructure spending dominated the City Utilities Committee's April 28 meeting, where members advanced more than $45 million in contract increases and budget amendments for the city's Sanitary Sewer Repairs Project — a long-running effort to bring Atlanta's underground systems up to standard. The committee unanimously approved the transfer of 12 acres of city-owned land on West Marietta Boulevard to Invest Atlanta, which will market the property for redevelopment while reserving a portion for continued watershed use. Members also unanimously approved a series of easements near Westminster Drive to support the Atlanta Botanical Garden's infrastructure expansion, and separately authorized an agreement with GDOT for water and sewer adjustments during planned road resurfacing on Northside Drive, 14th Street, and Peachtree Road. A $24 million change order for the Peachtree Creek Westside Project passed 4-0, adding a second phase to an existing contract and continuing a major investment in the city's creek corridor infrastructure. One recurring sticking point — a homeowner's request to waive standard flood elevation requirements for a property on Oldfield Road — was deferred again, meaning the committee still isn't satisfied it has enough information to act.

Atlanta City Council – Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee

The Public Safety committee cleared several significant items on April 27, starting with unanimous approval of a temporary alcohol exemption for specified downtown streets and sidewalks during the 2026 FIFA World Cup (June 11–July 19), waiving the city's normal prohibition on public alcohol consumption for the duration of the tournament. In a meaningful civil rights move, the committee unanimously approved a resolution directing both the Atlanta Police Department and the Department of Corrections to stop using colorimetric field drug tests as the sole basis for an arrest — these notoriously unreliable tests must now be treated as preliminary only, with laboratory confirmation required before charges move forward. Firefighters also got good news: the committee unanimously approved an updated sworn compensation plan for the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department aimed at making the city more competitive in hiring and retaining first responders. Following public safety concerns around the annual "404 Day" celebration, the committee launched an emergency study to assess the event's impact on neighborhoods and city resources, with a multi-stakeholder advisory committee to be established. A proposed 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses in the Edgewood Corridor was held at the sponsor's request, giving the community more time to weigh in before that decision is made.

Atlanta City Council – Zoning Committee

The Zoning Committee moved quickly through its April 27 session — wrapping in just 26 minutes — approving a handful of items while deferring several more contentious proposals. On the approval side, a sign waiver was granted for a major retail location on Peachtree Road near Lenox Square, and a rezoning for single-family homes on smaller lots in Southwest Atlanta was forwarded. The committee held a proposal to increase apartment density on Bellview Avenue NW (from MR-2 to the taller MR-3 classification) until at least May 4, and separately referred a proposal for two digital billboards back for further review — meaning those projects aren't moving forward yet. A large 13.8-acre proposal to rezone former industrial land into mixed-use development also remained stuck in committee, pending additional information. Several smaller items — including special use permits for a personal care home and an alcohol-serving establishment — were forwarded to the full council for a final vote.

Atlanta Public Schools – Board of Education

The Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education convened on April 29 for what was primarily a closing session of the Student Advisory Council (SAC) for the 2025-2026 academic year — an advisory body composed of student representatives from across the district. The session focused on finalizing student-generated recommendations to share with district leadership, including a debrief from student leaders on their recent "Breakfast with the Board" meeting, where they had direct access to school board members. No binding votes on budgets, policy changes, or zoning matters were taken at this meeting, as the SAC functions in an advisory capacity only. For APS families, the significance is more procedural: these student recommendations now go to board leadership, where they may inform future district decisions on student experience and school policy.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

Atlanta City Council — Transportation Committee
- Westminster Drive NE (near Atlanta Botanical Garden) — The committee approved granting multiple easements — covering access, utility, and drainage infrastructure — to the Atlanta Botanical Garden on an abandoned portion of city-owned Westminster Drive, contingent on a final recommendation from the City Utilities Committee.

Atlanta City Council — City Utilities Committee
- Westminster Drive NE (near Atlanta Botanical Garden) — The committee unanimously approved granting approximately 120,000 square feet of easements to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, clearing the way for construction of an access road and utility infrastructure on city-owned land adjacent to the Garden.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council — Committee on Council — Monday, May 4 at 11:30 AM, 55 Trinity Avenue, Second Floor
The committee is scheduled to consider a resolution requesting Georgia POST-certified law enforcement officers at every city recreation center used as a polling place. Also on the agenda: appointments to the Atlanta Beltline's Affordable Housing Advisory Board and Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee, two Budget Commission seats ahead of FY2027 planning, and a proposed City Charter change that would require a named primary sponsor on most legislation.

- Atlanta City Council — Monday, May 4 at 1:00 PM, Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue
The full Council will take up a packed agenda headlined by a $52.1 million federal grant for FIFA World Cup 2026 preparations and a proposal to temporarily allow outdoor alcohol consumption in designated downtown areas during the tournament. Also scheduled: consideration of the FY2027 proposed budget and tax rates, a $1.87 million construction contract for Enota Park on the Beltline, a proposed ban on new self-storage facilities within the Beltline Overlay District, a lease expansion for the Atlanta Botanical Garden near Westminster Drive NE, and a $3.6 million Peachtree Street safety construction grant for Midtown.

- Fulton County Board of Commissioners — Wednesday, May 6 at 10:00 AM, Assembly Hall
The Board is scheduled to consider issuance of $165 million in revenue bonds for a student housing project and $75 million for Georgia Tech athletic facilities, alongside a five-year wastewater operations contract for North Fulton valued at more than $28 million annually. Also on the agenda: affordable housing grants targeting the English Avenue neighborhood, a $1.2 million rental assistance contract with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, and approval of $325 million in Tax Anticipation Notes to manage county cash flow ahead of property tax collection.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits
- 609 Virginia Ave NE — Demolition of an existing shed building, followed by construction of a new 2,136 sq ft clubhouse amenity building for the apartment complex on site. Residents there are getting an upgrade.
- 442 Plaster Ave NE — Interior renovation with exterior modifications to an existing commercial building, converting space into offices, showroom, and accessory uses. The Ottley Drive corridor continues to quietly evolve.
- 415 Plaster Ave NE — A suite remodel is underway with both electrical and HVAC work permitted, suggesting a tenant buildout or office refresh is in progress.
- 176 Ottley Dr NE — Exterior awning addition above the front entry, pending additional materials. Small change, but a sign someone's investing in curb appeal.
- 2230 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE — Back-to-back permits for HVAC and water heater replacements at a commercial property, both renewals of previously expired permits. The work is finally getting done.
- 828 Highland Ln NE — Multi-family unit undergoing full interior restoration after a water loss: insulation, drywall, cabinets, tile, flooring, and paint all on the list.
- 910 Ponce de Leon Ave NE — Interior renovation to add a ¾ bath to an underutilized space beneath a terrace-level stair in a multi-family building, currently under city review.

Road Work

Under Construction
- I-85 Lighting Upgrade (Fulton County) — LED fixtures are being swapped in along I-85 between I-75 and north of Lenox Road, replacing aging high-pressure sodium lighting. Pole and conduit work may be part of the package. Expect occasional lane activity along this stretch, about a mile from the neighborhood core.
- SR-13 Resurfacing (Fulton County) — SR-13 is getting a fresh layer of asphalt from SR 9 up to North Fork Peachtree Creek. The road hasn't been resurfaced since 2012, so this one's overdue. Budget extra time if SR-13 is part of your regular route.
- Buford Spring Connector Tunnel Lighting (Fulton County) — The tunnel where the Buford Spring Connector meets I-85 is getting an LED lighting overhaul. Conduit and wiring work is also on the table. Not directly in the neighborhood, but close enough to create backups if lane closures hit during peak hours.
- SR 236 & Shepherds Lane Signal Upgrade (DeKalb County) — A signal upgrade is underway at this intersection on LaVista Road. Just across the county line, but relevant if Cheshire Bridge or Lindridge-Martin Manor is your gateway east.
- SR 9 Resurfacing (Fulton County) — Peachtree Street (SR 9) is being resurfaced between SR 3 and north of Paces Ferry Road. Low pavement scores drove the selection. If you're heading south toward Buckhead or Midtown, factor in some friction along the way.

Pre-Construction
- SR 13 / Monroe Drive Intersection Overhaul (Fulton County) — The busy intersection of SR 13 (Piedmont Road) and Monroe Drive is slated for conversion into a multilane/hybrid roundabout configuration. This one hits close to home for VaHi and Piedmont Heights drivers — Monroe Drive is a daily artery for this neighborhood, and when construction eventually kicks off, expect significant disruption to one of the area's most-used cut-throughs.
- SR 237 / Peachtree Creek Bridge Work (Fulton County) — Two separate funded projects target the SR 237 corridor near Peachtree Creek: a full bridge replacement and a bridge rehabilitation. Both affect the same stretch of Peachtree Road just north of the neighborhood. That's a lot of bridge work stacked up on one corridor — worth watching as these move toward active construction.
- SR 237 @ CSX Rail Crossing — Bridge Replacement (Fulton County) — Another bridge replacement on SR 237, this one at the CSX railroad crossing in Atlanta. Peachtree Road commuters will want to keep an eye on this project as it advances toward bidding.
- SR 237 @ Lindbergh Drive — New Signal & Pedestrian Facilities (Fulton County) — A new traffic signal and pedestrian infrastructure are planned for the SR 237/Lindbergh Drive intersection, just north of the neighborhood. Good news for anyone walking or biking that stretch.
- BeltLine NE Trail — Lindbergh Center to I-85 (Fulton County) — A funded project to build out approximately 2.7 miles of the Atlanta BeltLine's Northeast Trail as a 14-foot-wide concrete shared-use path, plus roughly 2.1 miles of spur trails. This is a big one for the Morningside and Lindridge-Martin Manor edges of the neighborhood — the trail connection through this corridor has been long anticipated.
- I-85 Resurfacing — I-75/Brookwood to North of SR 155 (DeKalb & Fulton Counties) — A resurfacing and maintenance project spanning I-85 from the Brookwood interchange through DeKalb County. If you use I-85 to get in or out of the neighborhood, overnight lane closures are likely once this moves to construction.
- I-85 / SR 237 & I-285 / SR 13 Tunnel Lighting (DeKalb & Fulton Counties) — Lighting upgrades are funded for tunnels at both the I-85/SR 237 and I-285/SR 13 interchanges. Unglamorous but useful — better lighting in those underpasses is a long-overdue safety improvement.

Service Requests

Residents filed 13 service requests across the area this week. Traffic signals drew the most attention — four non-emergency repair requests were logged at Cheshire Bridge & Sheridan, Monroe & Piedmont, 14th & Piedmont, and LaVista & Cheshire Bridge, while two emergency signal repairs at Highland & Ponce de Leon and Ponce de Leon & Briarcliff have been transferred to Georgia Power. Potholes were reported on Cheshire Bridge Road NE and N. Highland Avenue NE. Sign repairs or replacements were requested at Monroe & Yorkshire and E. Rock Springs Road. A downed tree was reported at Monroe & 10th Street, and overgrowth was flagged at Montgomery Ferry & Flagler Avenue. Litter removal was also requested along Ponce de Leon Place NE.