VaHi / Morningside: ASO in the Park and Texas Brisket

Good morning, VaHi and Morningside! Between ASO’s return to Piedmont Park and Texas BBQ royalty finally landing at Ansley Mall, we’re looking at a good week. From 404 Day plans to local farmer’s markets, we've got the scoop on everything happening in our neck of the woods.

- Big Stories — We're talking the ASO's big return to the park, “No Kings”, and a uniquely Atlanta Big Boi event.
- Local Business Updates — Texas BBQ royalty has officially arrived at Ansley Mall, and your favorite local hair salon is adding an on-site wine shop.
- Upcoming Events — From 404 Day celebrations in the park to skyline Easter brunches, your spring calendar is officially packed.
- Local Government Discussion — The city is prepping for World Cup "open container" zones and hunting down $600k to finally fix those suspension-destroying potholes.
- Development & Construction Nearby — We've got the tea on a mystery tenant on Sheridan Road and a heads-up on the LED highway upgrade coming to your commute.

Let's dive in.

BIG STORIES

Atlanta Symphony returns to Piedmont Park on April 19 for free concert (March 28, 2026) Dust off the picnic blankets because the ASO is heading back to our backyard this April. They're playing a massive free show on Oak Hill to celebrate the big 250th birthday of the U.S. of A. It's the ultimate neighborhood flex—world-class music right where you walk your dog.

Thousands join 'No Kings' protests across metro Atlanta (March 28, 2026) If you noticed some extra noise and traffic this weekend, it wasn't just typical Saturday chaos. Thousands of people took to the streets for "No Kings" demonstrations against the current administration, marching from Memorial Drive right through the heart of the city. Atlanta definitely made its voice heard.

3 Atlanta Farmers Markets To Shop Like A Pro, Info Here (March 29, 2026)
Peak produce season is nearly here, and this new guide breaks down how to navigate our local gems like a seasoned chef. Whether you're hitting Morningside for the organic kale or just there for the vibes, it's time to up your grocery game. Your fridge (and your Sunday morning) will thank you.

Big Boi partners with Impossible Foods for free concert & more Atlanta events (March 25, 2026) Local legend Big Boi is teaming up with Impossible Foods for a free concert that's half hip-hop, half plant-based party. It's one of those uniquely Atlanta events where you get high-energy beats and a veggie burger at the same time. Definitely a fun way to spend an evening.

LOCAL BUSINESS UPDATES

Lewis Barbecue - opening - Texas barbecue royalty has officially arrived! Pitmaster John Lewis just opened his massive smokehouse at Ansley Mall, complete with six 22-foot smokers that look like the fanciest engine room we've ever seen. We're already smelling the brisket from here, and honestly, our weekend plans are now fixed. (March 24, 2026)

Hair Salon Colmado - opening - Because a fresh cut always feels better with a glass of rosé, our favorite North Highland salon is officially doubling down. They just shared the scoop that they're adding an on-site wine shop to the space. Sipping while snipping? We are so here for this neighborhood upgrade. (March 26, 2026)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Get ready to celebrate everything we love about the A because 404 Day is taking over Piedmont Park this Saturday! Plus, Sunday is all about those skyline views and egg hunts with the iconic Easter Brunch at Park Tavern—it's going to be a massive weekend for the neighborhood.

Monday, March 30
- Null, Clot, Dug, Lost Hours | MJQ Concourse

Tuesday, March 31
- Weekly Walking Club | Piedmont Park
- Garden Playtime | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Drop-In Garden Tours | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Wednesday, April 01
- Musical Movie Movie Musical | Red Light Cafe
- Storybook Time | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Drop-In Kids Gardening Activity | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Drop-In Garden Tours | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Lilly Winwood & Lonesome Joy & Supper | Smith's Olde Bar
- Community Seder | Chabad Intown
- Wardrobe Malfunction, Stranger Company, Greenways, Will Cook | MJQ Concourse

Thursday, April 02
- Gordon Vernick Quartet | Red Light Cafe
- Garden Grooves | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Drop-In Garden Tours | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Twilight in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Macartney Reinhardt w/ Special Guest Jace Pearson | Smith's Olde Bar

Friday, April 03
- Drop-In Family Program: Natural Egg Dyeing | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Drop-In Garden Tours | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- The Muckers | Smith's Olde Bar
- Skydog Gypsy - Night One | Smith's Olde Bar
- Joker Drinking Party: Sweet Meteor of Death, Ether9, The Muckers, Cult Potential | Smith's Olde Bar
- QUEEN BUTCH SHEASTER: THE CARRY NATION | Heretic

Saturday, April 04
- 404 Day 2026 Celebration! | Piedmont Park
- 404 Day Weekend: Night Party | The Stave Room
- Intermediate Tai Chi – Quarter II | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- SHEASTER AFTERS | Universe
- Tot Shabbat | Chabad Intown
- Rigometrics: The Rigossance Tour with special guest Schmooze | Smith's Olde Bar
- Skydog Gypsy - Night Two | Smith's Olde Bar
- DJ Joe Pacheco at Heretic - Easter Weekend | Heretic

Sunday, April 05
- Easter Brunch in Piedmont Park: Buffet & Egg Hunts | Park Tavern
- XION Saturday w/ Alex Lo at 2069 Events | 2069 Events

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISCUSSION

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners skipped the small talk this past week, convening a "Special Called Meeting" to tackle the massive financial gears that keep the region moving. Rather than debating individual line items, the board focused on high-level strategy regarding your tax dollars—specifically how they are collected and split between the county and its various cities.

First on the hot seat was the TSPLOST (Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax). For those who don't speak bureaucrat, this is that extra penny or fractional cent you pay at the register that is pinky-promised to go toward transportation. The board began the heavy lifting of identifying "tier one" projects. We're talking about the big stuff: road widenings, bridge repairs, and the sidewalk installations that actually make a neighborhood walkable. While no specific local projects were finalized yet, this meeting set the stage for which corridors will see orange cones in the coming years.

Meanwhile, the board waded into the "Service Delivery Strategy" (SDS). Think of this as a giant prenup between Fulton County and its cities to ensure you aren't being double-charged for the same services. The goal is to clearly define who is responsible for—and who pays for—essential services like E-911, libraries, and parks. It's the kind of "boring" paperwork that actually dictates whether your property tax bill stays stable or takes a hike. By focusing exclusively on these two topics, the board is trying to clear the deck for a very busy spring budget season.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Board of Commissioners April 01, 2026 at 10:00 AM: The board will consider a $600,000 boost for emergency road patching (pothole season is here!) and a nearly $1 million funding package to support domestic violence survivors through the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. Also on the menu: a plan to fill the vacant District 4 Commission seat and yet another attempt to launch a Voter ID education campaign after it was delayed twice in March.

Atlanta City Council

Discussion from the Past Week

The city is officially cracking open its checkbook for next year, moving the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget and property tax rates toward a final vote. This is the big one—it's the primary mechanism that decides how your tax dollars are divvied up between police, parks, and paving. Speaking of paving, Hartsfield-Jackson is basically becoming a billion-dollar construction site. Council greenlit over $1 billion to continue widening Concourse D and another $81 million for a massive overhaul of the airport's air systems. Because if we're going to be stuck in a security line, we at least want to be climate-controlled.

In the Public Safety committee, the council turned its attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Downtown Atlanta is getting a temporary "Public Entertainment District" from June 11 to July 19. This ordinance effectively pauses the "no open containers" rule, allowing fans to legally roam the streets with a drink while soaking in the soccer madness. The Edgewood Corridor, meanwhile, is facing a 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses as the city tries to get a handle on the nightlife impact in that area.

The city is also going high-tech and green simultaneously. Council approved $4.8 million for E911 upgrades and a $7.6 million grant for "drone defense" to keep the skies secure during major events. On the environmental side, Council is extending the city's solar program to a 20-year commitment and loosening some red tape regarding riparian buffers—a policy change that makes it much easier to perform stream restoration and "buffer enhancement" on public lands. Atlanta Streets Alive is officially coming back for 2026 as well, with the Transportation Committee waiving standard procurement rules to keep the open-streets program rolling.

Atlanta Public Schools

Discussion from the Past Week

Last week, the students officially took the mic. The APS Student Advisory Council (SAC) gathered at the district headquarters to weigh in on the high-level decisions that usually happen behind closed doors. While the official minutes are currently missing in action, the agenda shows the "junior board" is digging into the heavy-duty topics that eventually dictate how your property tax dollars are spent.

Top of the list was SPLOST. For the uninitiated, that’s the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax—essentially the "penny tax" that pays for shiny new school buildings, HVAC repairs, and the tech upgrades that keep the district running. The council received a briefing on how these capital funds are being allocated, which is the first step before these projects land on the main Board of Education's desk for a final vote.

Meanwhile, the group tackled the "where is everyone?" problem. Dr. C. Windom presented on the district's ongoing battle with chronic absenteeism. It’s a significant issue because when kids don't show up, it doesn't just hurt test scores; it can eventually impact state funding for the district. The students also reviewed the CLIP (Comprehensive Literacy Instructional Plan) survey, which is the roadmap for how APS plans to get reading levels back on track across all neighborhoods.

Also worth noting: The council spent time recapping their "Breakfast with the Board" event. This is where the student reps get face-time with the actual Board of Education members to complain about—or praise—what’s happening in the hallways. If you’re wondering why certain school policies suddenly shift, it’s often because these student advisors are whispering in the ears of the people in charge.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Atlanta Board of Education, April 06, 2026: The full board is scheduled for their regular session to likely tackle the big-picture versions of last week's student discussions, including SPLOST funding updates and literacy initiatives.

DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION NEARBY

Permits
- 442 Plaster Ave NE — This commercial building is getting a major interior and exterior renovation. We're always here for a neighborhood refresh.
- 1265 N Highland Ave NE — Remember that "massive tree" that took out a duplex? Repairs are finally starting on the roof and framing. Expect some construction noise while they put the pieces back together.
- 1146 Sheridan Rd NE — A mystery tenant is moving in! They're putting in new walls and millwork, so keep your eyes peeled for a new local business arrival.
- 1700 Piedmont Ave NE — Basement demolition is underway here. It's mostly interior work, but "demo" usually means a few loud trucks and some dust near the park.
- 1740 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE — They're installing two beefy 6500W generators. Someone is making sure the power stays on, even if the bridge traffic doesn't.
- 1824 Piedmont Ave NE — The art classroom is being subdivided and renovated. We love to see more space being carved out for the local creative scene.
- 1320 Monroe Dr NE — Another massive 8000W generator is going in. Between this and the one on Cheshire Bridge, the neighborhood is certainly getting prepared for something.
- 828 Highland Ln NE — Repair crews are moving in to fix water damage, including new electrical panels and ceilings. It's a lot of work, but someone is going to be very happy to have dry drywall again.

Road Work

Under Construction
- I-85 Lighting Upgrades (I-75 to Lenox Rd) — Say goodbye to that dim yellow glow! Crews are swapping out old bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs along the corridor. Expect some overnight lane closures as they replace poles and wiring—it'll be a lot brighter for your late-night airport runs soon.
- SR 13 (Buford Highway) Resurfacing — Your suspension will thank you. They are finally smoothing out the stretch between SR 9 and the North Fork Peachtree Creek to fix that "low OCI score" (DOT-speak for a bumpy ride). Watch for paving crews near the Lindridge-Martin Manor edge.
- Buford Spring Connector @ I-85 Tunnel Lighting — More LED magic is happening in the tunnel. They're upgrading the lights at this major interchange, which should make those midday transitions from "blinding sun" to "dark tunnel" a lot less sketchy.
- SR 236 (Lavista Rd) & Shepherds Ln Signal Upgrade (DeKalb County) — Just across the county line near Morningside, crews are working on the signals at Shepherds Lane. It's a minor footprint, but keep your head on a swivel for technicians bucket-trucking over the intersection.
- SR 9 (Peachtree Rd) Resurfacing — The "main drag" heading north out of Ansley Park is getting a facelift. Work is active from SR 3 up toward Paces Ferry Road to improve the pavement quality. Definitely factor in some extra time if you're heading toward Buckhead for dinner.

Construction Work Program
- SR 13 @ Monroe Drive — Heads up to the Ansley Mall regulars: this awkward intersection near the park is slated for a total overhaul into a multi-lane hybrid roundabout. It's currently in the bidding phase, so get ready to sharpen your yielding skills soon.
- I-85 from the Brookwood Interchange to SR 155 (Fulton & DeKalb Counties) — This is a massive resurfacing and maintenance project stretching from the Northside split all the way past Clairemont. It's funded and waiting to kick off, so enjoy the current pavement while you can before the overnight lane closures begin.
- I-85 @ SR 237 & I-285 @ SR 13 Tunnel Lighting (Fulton & DeKalb Counties) — We're finally getting some lighting upgrades in the tunnels where Piedmont Road meets the highway. It should make those late-night merges feel a lot less like a cave exploration.
- SR 237 (Piedmont Rd) @ Peachtree Creek — Major bridge replacement work is coming to the Piedmont Heights/Lindbergh border. Since this is a primary artery for the neighborhood, expect some significant "ripple effect" traffic once the heavy equipment moves in.
- Atlanta BeltLine NE Trail (Lindbergh Center to I-85) — The vision for a 14-foot wide concrete shared-use path connecting Lindbergh toward the rest of the loop is officially in the construction program. This will be a massive win for car-free trips once the dirt starts moving.
- SR 237 (Piedmont Rd) @ CSX Railroad — Just north of the neighborhood, GDOT is preparing to replace the bridge over the tracks. Bridge replacements are big undertakings, so keep this on your radar if you commute toward the Lindbergh area.
- SR 237 (Piedmont Rd) @ Lindbergh Drive — New signals and improved pedestrian facilities are in the works for this intersection. It's all about making that messy crossing a bit safer for those of us on foot.
- SR 237 (Piedmont Rd) at Lambert Drive — Expect some "flush curb" and gutter installation near the SR 13 ramp. It's a smaller project, but any work on Piedmont usually means a few extra minutes added to your trip.

Service Requests
- Potholes — A whopping 12 reports this week, including clusters on Monroe Dr NE, Piedmont Cir NE, Piedmont Ave NE, Middlesex Ave NE, and the intersection of Piedmont Cir & Piedmont Rd. Consider this your official warning to keep both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the asphalt—your suspension will thank you.
- Sign Repairs — Reports are in for non-emergency sign maintenance or replacements on Virginia Ave NE and St Charles Ave NE. Hopefully, we'll be back to knowing exactly where we're going (legally) in no time.
- Visibility & Overgrowth — Someone flagged a right-of-way overgrowth issue on Highland Ave NE. It's officially spring, but we'd prefer the neighborhood didn't turn into a literal jungle just yet.
- Illegal Dumping — An investigation was requested over on Lenox Rd NE. Let's keep the neighborhood beautiful and save the "treasures" for the thrift store, neighbors.