VaHi / Morningside: Summerfest Reminder and a Peachtree Creek Vision

Good morning, neighbors. As we gear up for Summerfest, local parents are feeling the squeeze of growing Pre-K waitlists. From a bold "River Walk" vision for Peachtree Creek to a packed week of festivals and meetings, here is what's happening in VaHi and Morningside this week.

- News — Between Summerfest and an ambitious plan to turn Peachtree Creek into a waterfront destination, there is plenty of momentum to track in the neighborhood.
- Events — From the Piedmont Park Landmark Luncheon to a lantern parade at the High, the neighborhood calendar is packed with reasons to get outside.
- Government — Local leaders are debating a ban on Beltline storage facilities and massive infrastructure bonds, while NPU-F weighs the impact of a heavy festival season in Piedmont Park.
- Construction — New paving projects on Buford Highway and a major pool installation in Lindridge-Martin Manor lead a busy week of local permits and roadwork.

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Let’s dive in:

NEWS

Virginia Highland Summerfest returns June 6-7
The neighborhood's favorite excuse to block off the streets and soak in the sun turns 41 this year, with a recently announced music lineup that promises a heavy dose of nostalgia. Whether you're there for the juried art or the people-watching on Virginia Avenue, it's time to start planning your June 6-7 weekend around the streets and stages.

Metro Atlanta pre-K waitlists push school systems to expand early learning
If you've been sweating the lottery for a spot in a local classroom, you're far from alone. Demand for early childhood education is outstripping available seats across our corner of the city, and local school systems are under mounting pressure to expand programs as waitlists grow long enough to keep any parent of a four-year-old awake at night.

Could Peachtree Creek morph into Atlanta's River Walk one day?
The idea of turning the often-overlooked Peachtree Creek into a bustling waterfront destination sounds ambitious, but it's a vision that could finally give our landlocked neighborhoods a true aquatic focal point. For those in Piedmont Heights and Lindridge-Martin Manor, this transformation would turn a backyard creek into a legitimate regional draw with trails and amenities that finally embrace the water.

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EVENTS

Tuesday, April 21
- Weekly Walking Club | Piedmont Park
- Garden Playtime | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Drop-In Garden Tours | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Well-Seasoned Chef: Thomas McKeown | Atlanta Botanical Garden

Wednesday, April 22
- Earth Day | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Drop-In Garden Tours | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Atlanta miniFest | Dark Horse Tavern
- The Nova with support from Versuno and 12Eleven | Smith's Olde Bar
- Local Wednesday's at MJQ Feat. DJ EU + Alex Heisey | MJQ Concourse

Thursday, April 23
- Garden Grooves | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Piedmont Park Conservancy 29th Annual Landmark Luncheon | Piedmont Park
- Drop-In Garden Tours | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Crochet Workshop: 101 | Piedmont Park
- Lantern Parade with The High Museum | Piedmont Park
- Georgia Grown Dinner: Gary Caldwell | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Seven Teller: What Are The Chances Tour 2026 | Smith's Olde Bar
- Immaterial Possession | The Drunken Unicorn

Friday, April 24
- Caroline In The Garden Album Release Show | Smith's Olde Bar
- Patrick Topping (21+ Event) | District Atlanta
- MOTION | MJQ

Saturday, April 25
- Green Market | Piedmont Park
- Frog Feeding | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Spring Brunch in the Garden | Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Butterfly Bash 2026 | Smith's Olde Bar

Sunday, April 26
- Bryan-Michael Cox & Jermaine Dupri & Stormy | District Atlanta
- Shakedown Citi: Goin' Down the Line to Jazz Fest | Smith's Olde Bar

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 Public Schools

The Board of Education moved forward on several fronts last week, primarily focusing on financial transparency and student support policies. Most notably, the Audit Committee unanimously appointed Board Vice-Chair Dr. Ken Zeff as its new chair, positioning him to lead the district's internal financial oversight. The committee also reviewed an audit of extracurricular spending to ensure funds for sports and clubs are being managed properly. Simultaneously, the Budget Commission began framing the 2027 fiscal year budget, specifically looking at staff pay increases—which often dictate future property tax rates—and shifts in federal funding. On the policy side, the Policy Review Committee approved new oversight rules for Board Office spending and advanced a new standard for student counseling. Officials also discussed potential changes to high school graduation requirements, including mandatory community service hours and attendance rules, which are currently being researched for future updates.

Atlanta NPU-F

A packed agenda on April 15th included several items that could change the face of local corridors and Piedmont Park. Residents were scheduled to review a city-wide proposal to ban all new self-storage facilities near the Beltline, a move intended to preserve that land for housing and shops instead of warehouses. In Piedmont Park, a massive 2026 event season was up for discussion, with major festivals like ONE Musicfest and the Piedmont Holiday Market seeking support; these events would likely bring significant traffic and noise to the area. On the local business front, a new burger joint is applying for an alcohol license in Virginia-Highland. Additionally, several homeowners are seeking "variances" to build closer to their property lines or install taller-than-average privacy fences, which could impact neighborhood density and aesthetics.

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

The Board is considering a massive financial commitment to infrastructure, with a resolution on the agenda to authorize up to $1.36 billion in bonds for the construction and renovation of the Fulton County Jail. This project represents one of the largest expenditures in recent county history and will likely dominate financial discussions for years to come. In addition to the jail financing, commissioners are scheduled to vote on expanding paid parental leave for county employees from eight to 12 weeks, a move aimed at improving staff retention. The agenda also includes a grant for a 120-unit affordable housing development and $150,000 for senior programming and computer classes. However, a proposal to identify $500,000 in funding for a summer youth internship program is being held for further discussion following a divided preliminary vote. As official minutes have not yet been posted, these items are subject to final confirmation of the board's actions.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

Atlanta NPU — NPU-F
- 1320 MONROE DR NE — A general update regarding operations for this property adjacent to Piedmont Park is on the agenda.
- 1811 PIEDMONT AVE NE — A new business license or alcohol permit application is being proposed for this commercial location.
- 1017 N HIGHLAND AVE NE — A new commercial permit or business-related application is slated for discussion.
- 869 VIRGINIA AVE NE — Infrastructure improvements or utility updates for this section of the neighborhood are on the meeting agenda.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council — Committee on Council — April 20, 2026 at 11:30 AM
The committee will consider Charter amendments to streamline the filling of vacant city board seats and a resolution to hire outside counsel for an investigation into specific city contracts. Members are also scheduled to appoint representatives to the Budget Commission to begin work on the city's fiscal year 2027 spending plan.

- Atlanta City Council — April 20, 2026 at 1:00 PM
The full council will vote on a temporary downtown "entertainment district" for the FIFA World Cup and over $1 billion in expansion contracts for Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The agenda also includes the first reading of the Beltline Subarea 8 Master Plan and the formal introduction of the 2027 city budget. An annexation and rezoning for a new apartment development at 1150-1220 Woodland Avenue NE is also up for consideration.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits
- 1155 La Vista Rd NE — A new commercial in-ground swimming pool is headed to the Lindridge-Martin Manor area. Expect heavy machinery on-site for the excavation and concrete pour.
- 1180 University Dr NE — Significant commercial renovation filed. The project includes interior upgrades and "cosmetic exterior work" to the building, signaling a fresh look for this Morningside corridor.
- 830 Barnett St NE — Multi-family roof and deck overhaul. This is more than a simple repair; they are screening in a portion of the deck and adding a new roof structure, which means plenty of hammers and saws near the VaHi/Atkins Park border.
- 910 Ponce De Leon Ave NE — Multi-family interior renovation. Space under a terrace-level stair is being reclaimed and converted into a new bathroom, part of the ongoing densification and updating of the area's older apartment stock.
- 400 Park Dr NE — Temporary power at Piedmont Park. A permit was issued for a 100kw generator to support event festivities, keeping the lights on for the weekend crowds.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 13 Resurfacing (Fulton County) — Maintenance crews are resurfacing SR 13 (Buford Highway) from SR 9 down to North Fork Peachtree Creek. This project targets the Lindridge-Martin Manor and Cheshire Bridge corridor to improve road quality; expect lane closures during paving hours.
- I-85 Lighting Upgrades (Fulton County) — Work is underway between the I-75 split and North of Lenox Road to replace dated lighting with energy-efficient LEDs. Expect nightly work affecting visibility and lane access along this major stretch of the interstate.
- Buford Spring Connector Tunnel Lighting (Fulton County) — Crews are upgrading lighting systems within the tunnel at the I-85 interchange. The project includes new LED fixtures and conduit replacement, which may impact your merge onto the connector during active work hours.
- SR 236 & Shepherds Lane Signal Upgrade (DeKalb County) — Active signal construction is taking place at the intersection of Lavista Road and Shepherds Lane. Commuters heading toward the eastern edge of Morningside should watch for crews and potential signal timing shifts.
- SR 9 Resurfacing (Fulton County) — Paving work is continuing on SR 9 (Peachtree Road) from SR 3 to north of Paces Ferry Road. This affects major north-south travel for those commuting between Ansley Park and Buckhead; plan for slower speeds through the work zone.

Pre-Construction
- SR 13 at Monroe Drive — Intersection operational improvements to convert the existing layout into a multilane/hybrid roundabout. This project aims to streamline the heavy flow of traffic where Piedmont Heights meets the Buford Spring Hill connector.
- I-85 from Brookwood Interchange to North of SR 155 (Fulton & DeKalb Counties) — Major resurfacing and maintenance work spanning from the I-75/I-85 split through the Northeast Expressway. This will impact the main commute for anyone heading north out of the VaHi/Morningside area.
- Atlanta BeltLine Northeast Trail (Lindbergh Center to I-85) — Construction of a 2.7-mile, 14-foot wide concrete shared-use path. The project includes over two miles of spur trails, significantly increasing pedestrian and bike connectivity between Lindridge-Martin Manor and the Lindbergh area.
- I-85 at SR 237 & I-285 at SR 13 (Fulton & DeKalb Counties) — Lighting upgrades for the tunnels at Piedmont Road and Buford Highway. Expect overnight work and potential lane closures near these major corridor entry points.
- SR 237 (Piedmont Road) over Peachtree Creek — Bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects are planned for the span over Peachtree Creek. This is a critical bottleneck for traffic moving between Lindridge-Martin Manor and Buckhead.
- SR 237 (Piedmont Road) at CSX Railroad — Full replacement of the bridge located near Armour Drive. This project will eventually impact the primary north-south surface route for the western edge of the neighborhood.
- SR 237 (Piedmont Road) at SR 13/Lambert Drive — Installation of flush curbs and gutters to improve drainage and safety at the transition between Piedmont Road and the Buford Highway corridor.
- SR 237 (Piedmont Road) at Lindbergh Drive — Intersection improvements including the installation of a new signal and upgraded pedestrian facilities to manage heavy traffic near the Lindbergh MARTA station.

Service Requests
- Potholes — A heavy week for axle-jarring craters with 10 reports spanning Lenox Rd NE, E Pelham Rd NE, Monroe Dr NE, Sheridan Rd NE, and the intersection of Argonne Ave and 10th St.
- Traffic Signal Repairs — Non-emergency maintenance requested for signals at Amsterdam Ave & Monroe Dr and Highland Ave & University Dr.
- Graffiti Removal — Reports of tags requiring cleanup at the intersection of Virginia Ave and Maryland Ave.
- Right of Way Maintenance — Overgrowth causing visibility issues at the corner of Cheshire Bridge Rd and Wellbourne Dr.
- Loose Metal Plate — A rattling plate reported on N Highland Ave NE.
- Illegal Dumping — An investigation into discarded debris on Piedmont Ave NE.