VaHi / Morningside: A $200M Park Upgrade and Missing Beltline Links

Hello, neighbors; it's a big week for our backyard as Piedmont Park kicks off a massive $200 million transformation. From bittersweet goodbyes to local institutions to the final search for a builder to bridge our trickiest Beltline gaps, here's what you need to know about the changes coming to our corner of the city.

- News — Massive upgrades are coming to Piedmont Park and the Beltline's Northeast Trail, alongside a new war memorial and the return of a favorite local 5K.
- Business — We are marking a milestone 30th anniversary for a Morningside sandwich staple while preparing to say goodbye to a legendary thrift shop that has served the city for 80 years.
- Events — This week's lineup features a tropical anniversary luau at Whiskey Bird, a "gently used" plant sale for your spring garden, SweetWater 420 Fest at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park, and plenty of local live music.
- Government — Local officials are weighing a massive $1.36 billion jail bond and expanded parental leave, while NPU-F tackles a major annexation and apartment proposal for Woodland Avenue.
- Construction — Work is starting on a new road connecting Piedmont Avenue to the Beltline, while heavy repaving and lighting upgrades continue along the I-85 and Buford Highway corridors.

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Let’s dive in.

NEWS

Piedmont Park begins work on $200 million upgrade plan
Piedmont Park is moving toward a massive facelift with the first steps of a $200 million comprehensive expansion. While the heavy lifting involves ongoing property negotiations and fundraising, the goal is a significantly larger and more cohesive green space for those of us who treat the park like an extension of our own living rooms.

Beltline officially seeks builder for tricky section, crucial connectors
The long-awaited "tricky" segments of the Beltline's Northeast Trail are moving closer to reality as the city officially opens the search for a builder. This specific stretch is the missing link that will eventually stitch our neighborhoods more tightly into the city's trail loop, even if the construction phase promises its usual share of dust and detours along the way.

Images: Piedmont Park memorial plaza, sculpture now finished
If you've noticed a new silhouette near the park's entrance, the long-anticipated Vietnam War Memorial and sculpture are officially complete. It is a somber but striking addition that fills a commemorative gap local veterans have advocated for years, offering a new spot for quiet reflection amidst the park's typical weekend energy.

Spark 5K race returns to Piedmont Park on April 30
Dust off your running shoes for the fourth annual Spark 5K, which is set to take over the park's paths at the end of the month. The high-energy evening race leans into the neighborhood's fitness culture while raising funds for local nonprofits, making it a solid choice for those who prefer their cardio with a side of community purpose.

BUSINESS

Cathedral Thrift House - closing - After nearly eight decades of serving the community from various spots around the city, this legendary Piedmont Avenue thrift shop is preparing for its final chapter. Operated by the Cathedral of St. Philip, the store has been more than just a place for high-end secondhand finds; it's been a constant in a rapidly changing neighborhood, and its impending closure later this year marks the end of a truly historic run.

Alon's Bakery & Market - milestone - Over 30 years since first opening its doors, this Morningside institution is being celebrated in a new profile for its enduring status as the neighborhood's definitive sandwich destination. In an era where "all-day cafes" feel like a new trend, Alon Balshan's gourmet market remains the blueprint, proving that substance and a perfect crust never go out of style.

EVENTS

The neighborhood vibe is particularly lively this week as we celebrate a local culinary milestone at the Whiskey Bird Anniversary Luau, hunt for green treasures at the Botanical Garden's gently used plant sale, and SweetWater 420 Fest brings a major multi-day music and beer festival to Shirley Clarke Franklin Park along the BeltLine corridor. Whether you're looking for rare flora, a mid-week tropical escape, or a full weekend of live music, there's plenty of reason to stay local.

Monday, April 13
- Community Game Night | Piedmont Park
- Cafecito Productions Presents Movie Night at the Tara | The Tara
- Munday Night Live with Friends | Smith's Olde Bar

Tuesday, April 14
- An Evening with Jon Lindstrom | Virginia Highland Books
- Garden Playtime | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Weekly Walking Club | Piedmont Park
- Drop-In Garden Tours | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Community Craft Night | Piedmont Park

Wednesday, April 15
- Haiku Storybook Time | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- 🌺🍹Whiskey Bird Anniversary Luau | Virginia Highland District Association
- Garden Mixology | Piedmont Park
- LOCALS ONLY | MJQ

Thursday, April 16
- Garden Grooves | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Figure Drawing | Piedmont Park
- PARATIME: Last Year at Marienbad | Tara Theater
- Jane Hirshfield Lecture: Old Ponds, Leaping Frogs, and the Making of this Moment's Meaning | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Steinza – Steinza Was Here Tour with Elias Hix & Wormy | Smith's Olde Bar
- Robin Shakedown 'Learn To Sing' Event w/ Garrett Wheeler + The Lonely Few | Smith's Olde Bar
- Ferguson, Tony Aparo, PE Teacher | The Drunken Unicorn
- MJQ JAMS | MJQ

Friday, April 17
- Homeschool Day | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- The Gently Used Plant Sale | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- The Bloody Hells with Special Guest Vectralux | Smith's Olde Bar
- Zinadelphia: Zina's Boutique | Smith's Olde Bar
- BEAUZ | District Atlanta
- SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY | MJQ

Saturday, April 18
- SweetWater 420 Fest | Shirley Clarke Franklin Park
- Green Market | Piedmont Park
- It Was Better Next Year...Ten Years Of Burning Man Book Release Party | 500 Amsterdam Ave
- Dylan Kight & The Nightbirds with Mammoth Moon + Mike Barnhill | Smith's Olde Bar
- MJQ SATURDAYS | MJQ

Sunday, April 19
- SweetWater 420 Fest | Shirley Clarke Franklin Park
- Alfred Banks with special guests Mickey Factz, J. Tubbs, YO$#I, and ITZSHLZ | Smith's Olde Bar

GOVERNMENT

Note: it’s an unusually quiet week as many governing bodies take spring break; if you’re new here, you can see what this section usually looks like in prior issues

Meetings This Week
- Fulton County Board of Commissioners — Board of Commissioners, April 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM. The board will consider a $1.36 billion bond issuance for major renovations and new additions to the Fulton County Jail. Commissioners will also consider increasing paid parental leave for county employees to 12 weeks and funding for a new 120-unit affordable housing development in the English Avenue community.
- Atlanta NPU — NPU-F, April 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM. This meeting includes a major proposal to annex and rezone six properties on Woodland Avenue NE for a new multi-family apartment development. Residents will also review a heavy calendar of 2026 festival permits for Piedmont Park and Virginia-Highland, along with several residential variance requests for properties on Amsterdam Avenue, North Morningside Drive, and Lanier Boulevard.

CONSTRUCTION

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Permits
- 1491 Piedmont Ave NE — Land development is underway for a new 20-foot wide asphalt road connecting Piedmont Avenue directly to a BeltLine crosswalk. This is a major win for neighborhood connectivity near the Ansley/Piedmont Park border.
- 1265 N Highland Ave NE — A permit was filed to repair the duplex that sustained significant structural damage from a fallen tree. The work includes heavy framing and roofing to restore the structure.
- 1929 Piedmont Cir NE — Electrical permits were issued for a restaurant interior remodel. It looks like the dining scene near Cheshire Bridge is getting a fresh infusion of life.
- 414 Armour Cir NE — A demolition permit was filed to remove a modular building in the Armour industrial district, likely clearing the way for more permanent construction in this evolving pocket.
- Virginia Cir NE — A new residential apartment is being built above an existing garage. This type of "invisible density" is becoming a staple for homeowners looking to maximize space in VaHi.
- 830 Barnett St NE — Significant multi-family renovations are coming to this address, including deck and roof framing and a new screened-in porch area.
- Neighborhood-wide — Expect an uptick in chainsaws and chippers; eight separate permits were issued this week for the removal of dead or hazardous trees across Morningside and Virginia-Highland.

Road Work

Under Construction
- I-85 from I-75 to North of Lenox Road — Crews are upgrading corridor lighting from old high-pressure sodium bulbs to energy-efficient LEDs. If you live in Lindridge-Martin Manor or commute via Cheshire Bridge, watch for overnight lane closures as workers replace poles and wiring along this 1.1-mile stretch.
- SR 13 (Buford Highway) from SR 9 to North Fork Peachtree Creek — A major resurfacing project is active on this corridor through Piedmont Heights and Lindridge-Martin Manor. This is the first time the road has been repaved since 2012; expect changing lane configurations and temporary delays while the low-scoring pavement is addressed.
- Buford Spring Connector at I-85 — Tunnel lighting is being upgraded to LED fixtures near the Ansley Park area. This project includes replacing conduit and wiring, which may lead to narrowed lanes or shoulder closures where the connector merges with the interstate.
- SR 236 (Lavista Road) at Shepherds Lane (DeKalb County) — Signal upgrades are underway just east of the Morningside border. While it's a small footprint, expect brief disruptions if you are commuting between Morningside and the Emory/North Druid Hills area.
- SR 9 (Peachtree Road) from SR 3 to North of Paces Ferry Road — Active resurfacing is taking place on this stretch of Peachtree. Though it begins just north of Ansley Park, the work will impact northbound traffic flow and OCI (pavement quality) improvements for those heading toward Buckhead.

Pre-Construction
- SR 13 at Monroe Drive — A major intersection overhaul is planned to convert this junction into a multilane hybrid roundabout. This project aims to improve traffic flow at the busy connection point between Piedmont Heights and the Ansley Mall area.
- I-85 from the Brookwood Interchange to North of SR 155 (Fulton & DeKalb Counties) — This large-scale maintenance project will involve resurfacing a significant stretch of the interstate from the I-75/I-85 split through Clairmont Road. Commuters should prepare for future lane closures on this primary artery.
- SR 237 (Piedmont Road) at Peachtree Creek — Two separate projects are slated for this bridge crossing, including a full bridge replacement and rehabilitation work. As a main route connecting Morningside to Buckhead, this will likely cause significant detours once work commences.
- Atlanta BeltLine NE Trail (Lindbergh Center to I-85) — This project will see the construction of a 2.7-mile shared-use path. The 14-foot-wide concrete trail will run through the Lindridge-Martin Manor area, significantly expanding pedestrian and bike connectivity in the corridor.
- SR 237 (Piedmont Road) at the CSX Railroad — Located near the Lindbergh area, this project involves the complete replacement of the existing bridge over the CSX tracks to modernize the aging infrastructure.
- I-85 at SR 237 (Piedmont Road) and I-285 at SR 13 (Fulton & DeKalb Counties) — This project focuses on upgrading tunnel lighting at these major highway interchanges to improve visibility and safety for nighttime drivers.
- SR 237 (Piedmont Road) at Lindbergh Drive — Safety-focused intersection improvements are on the way, including the installation of a new traffic signal and upgraded pedestrian facilities.
- SR 237 (Piedmont Road) at Lambert Drive — Minor infrastructure work is planned to install a new flush curb and gutter near the intersection with SR 13/Buford Highway.

Utility Work

Atlanta Watershed
- Emergency Road Closure on Juniper Street NE — The 800 block of Juniper Street NE and its nearby intersection are closed for emergency sewer mainline repairs starting April 15. Residents and commuters traveling between Midtown and the Ansley Park/VaHi area should expect detours and delays while work is underway.
- Emergency Road Closure on Peachtree Street — Sewer mainline work has forced an emergency closure on Peachtree Street NW between Auburn Avenue NE and 66 Peachtree Street starting April 15. Plan for traffic detours if you are heading into the Downtown area.

Service Requests
- Sign Repairs — Fresh requests for maintenance and installations at the busy Charles Allen Dr & 10th St intersection, plus Sherwood Rd NE and Vance Ave NE.
- Potholes — New road craters reported along Sheridan Rd NE, Armour Dr NE, and Noble Dr NE.
- Traffic Signals — Malfunctions flagged at Amsterdam Ave & Monroe Dr, Charles Allen Dr & 10th St, and Lavista Rd NE.
- Downed Tree — A report of a fallen tree on Elmwood Dr NE.