VaHi / Morningside: VaHi Crowned Friendliest Neighborhood as 14-Story Tower Plan Emerges

Welcome to your weekly update for VaHi and Morningside. This week, we celebrate our new title as Atlanta’s friendliest neighborhood while looking ahead at a massive 14-story tower proposed for the corner of Ponce and Bonaventure.

Big Stories — Virginia-Highland takes the top spot for friendliness just as Selig Enterprises proposes a transformative 14-story residential tower on Ponce.

Local Business Updates — Get a taste of Peru at Tio Lucho’s in Poncey-Highland, where Chef Arnaldo Castillo is earning rave reviews for his ceviche.

Upcoming Events — The Oyster Crawfish Festival returns to Park Tavern this Saturday, alongside a neighborhood tree tour and the SweetWater 420 Fest Battle of the Bands.

Local Government Discussion — City Council is considering a parking fee hike and new "Happy Hour" drink discounts, while APS finalizes updated school safety and visitor policies.

Development & Construction Nearby — Major demolition is slated for Piedmont Avenue to clear the way for new retail, and plans for a multilane roundabout at Monroe Drive are officially moving forward.

Let’s dive in.

Major development enters pipeline in Virginia-Highland (February 25, 2026)
Selig Enterprises has officially entered discussions with the Virginia-Highland Civic Association regarding a transformative 14-story mixed-use tower at the corner of Ponce de Leon and Bonaventure Avenues. The proposed project would bring approximately 375 residential units and 10,000 square feet of retail space to the neighborhood, replacing several low-rise commercial buildings across from the Hotel Clermont.

Virginia-Highland Named Atlanta’s Friendliest Neighborhood for 2026 (February 27, 2026)
A new report from Nextdoor has crowned Virginia-Highland as the friendliest neighborhood in the city, citing its high levels of community engagement and neighborly helpfulness. The ranking, which also placed the Morningside-Lenox Park area in the top four citywide, highlights local institutions like the weekly Farmers Market and annual Porchfest as key drivers of the area's perfect friendliness score.

Tio Lucho’s - opening - Chef Arnaldo Castillo's Peruvian restaurant in nearby Poncey-Highland is highlighted for its high-impact ceviche and savory, miso-laced leche de tigre. (February 24, 2026)

The Oyster Crawfish Festival returns to Park Tavern on Saturday, March 7, bringing live music and large crowds to the edge of Piedmont Park. Residents should expect significant foot traffic and limited parking along Monroe Drive and the park's western boundaries throughout the afternoon and evening.

Monday, March 02
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child | Fox Theatre |
- Atlanta Run Club: Monday Night Runs | Ponce City Market |
- Standard Selects: The Movie | Plaza Atlanta |

Tuesday, March 03
- Weekly Walking Club | Piedmont Park |
- LEGO® Labs: Coral Reefs | Peachtree Branch Library |
- Crochet Workshop: Tote Bag | Piedmont Park |
- Mae Martin: The Possum | Center Stage Theater |

Wednesday, March 04
- SweetWater 420 Fest Battle of the Bands Semifinal | Smith's Olde Bar |
- Alex Hamberger & The Works, Unk N'Nem | MJQ Concourse |
- Eric Gales | City Winery |

Thursday, March 05
- UpTempo Teen Night + ASO Concert | Atlanta Symphony Hall |
- Lakeview - Doubleheader Night One | Smith's Olde Bar |
- Super Villain Monologues 2 | Dad's Garage |

Friday, March 06
- In The Wild Find Your Match Night | Park Tavern |
- F*CK THIS, I'M GOING TO CHURCH | Virginia-Highland Church UCC |
- Rebecca Skelton with Towne Park Drive + Kras | Smith's Olde Bar |

Saturday, March 07
- Tree Tour: Virginia Highland Neighborhood Arboretum | Murphy's Restaurant |
- Blooms Art Class: Koi Fish | Ponce City Market |
- Oyster Crawfish Festival At Park Tavern Returns | Park Tavern |
- The Outfield Clovers with Intension / Juvenoia | Smith's Olde Bar |
- The Martinez Brothers | District Atlanta |

Sunday, March 08
- Barks and Bites: Doggie Crawl on the Atlanta Beltline | The Krog District |
- Reel Friends Block Party Sponsored by Coca-Cola | 135 Krog St NE |
- Frigga Five, Bummer Hill, Stress Fractures, Glass Edge | MJQ Concourse |

Atlanta Public Schools

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board of Education finalized several district-wide updates this week, granting final approval to revised policies regarding school safety (Policy EBB), school admissions (Policy JBC), and rules governing visitors to school facilities (Policy KM). Financial stewardship was a primary focus across multiple sessions; the Board approved the adoption of new K-12 instructional materials and authorized revised budgets for "BuildSmart" capital projects funded by the 2022 SPLOST. These budget adjustments are intended to reconcile ongoing construction costs with current material prices to ensure projects remain on schedule.

The Budget Commission also formally launched the development cycle for the upcoming fiscal year’s budget. Early discussions focused on the funding and service delivery for "Exceptional Children" (Special Education) and Student Support Services, including school counseling, social work, and health services. These budgetary reviews are happening in tandem with broader district discussions on leveraging data to ensure financial investments are directly aligned with student emotional and academic outcomes.

Other topics:
The Board Development Committee elected Dr. Kaycee Brock as its new Chair and began planning an upcoming retreat focused on improving the district’s community engagement plan. Additionally, the Student Advisory Council met to prepare for "Crossover Day" at the Georgia State Capitol, where students will learn to advocate for educational legislation. The Board also moved forward with several operational expenditures, including a contract for grease trap maintenance, district-wide athletic apparel, and the purchase of a new passenger school bus.

Atlanta City Council

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
Council committees advanced several major initiatives centered on infrastructure and city regulation. A recurring theme across the Finance, Transportation, and Utilities committees was preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the "Integrated Atlanta: Wi-Fi World Cup Initiative" (partnering with Georgia Power and Comcast for smart lighting and digital connectivity) and fast-tracked airport beautification contracts. In a significant shift for local businesses, the Public Safety committee approved an ordinance allowing "Happy Hour" style promotions (discounts up to 50%) and moved to create a "South Downtown Entertainment District" for outdoor alcohol consumption. Additionally, the Council is considering nearly doubling on-street metered parking fees from $1.00 to $1.75 per half-hour.

On the policy front, the "Cool Roofs" ordinance—which mandates high-reflectivity roofing materials—is being delayed until June 1, 2027, due to supply chain shortages of compliant asphalt shingles. To address housing and neighborhood character, the Community Development committee proposed creating a centralized "Office of Short-Term Rentals" within the Department of City Planning to manage registration and enforcement for platforms like Airbnb. Meanwhile, the Zoning Committee moved to prohibit new self-storage facilities and distribution centers within the Beltline Overlay District to prioritize walkable, high-density development.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
The proposed annexation of properties at 1150, 1196, 1198, 1207, 1217, and 1220 Woodland Avenue NE moved forward through the Finance, Community Development, and Zoning committees. These parcels are transitioning from unincorporated DeKalb County into the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Independent School System with a Medium Density Residential designation. In Transportation, the committee approved agreements for the Lenox Road Corridor Trail and safety improvements between Phipps Blvd and Piedmont Road. The city also accepted a $3.6 million grant for safety and "placemaking" improvements on Peachtree Street.

Other topics:
The Council is pushing for police to prioritize community-based diversion over custodial arrests for low-level offenses to alleviate overcrowding at the Fulton County Jail. Members also discussed a $445,482 donation to "Living Walls" for public murals and proposed renaming the Kirkwood Urban Forest to the "Williamson Urban Forest."

Meetings in the Next Week
- Committee on Council, March 02, 2026 at 11:30 AM – The committee will discuss streamlining the process for filling vacancies on 85 city boards and commissions. They will also consider accepting a $1,000 donation from Zoo Atlanta to host the 2026 Council Retreat.
- Atlanta City Council, March 02, 2026 at 1:00 PM – The full body is expected to take final votes on the metered parking fee increase, the creation of the Office of Short-Term Rentals, and the World Cup Wi-Fi infrastructure initiative.

Fulton County Schools

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board of Education held a retreat on February 24 focused heavily on long-term fiscal and infrastructure planning. Central to the discussion was the initial development of the FY2027 Budget and updates to the district’s Capital Plans. These plans include the Capital Plan 2027, which tracks current construction and renovation projects, and a forward-looking Capital Plan 2032 specifically dedicated to technology infrastructure and classroom needs. These strategic discussions are expected to inform formal budget proposals and contract bids in the coming months.

Other topics:
The board received training on the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI), Georgia’s primary accountability measure for school performance. Members also discussed resources related to the University of Virginia (UVA) partnership, which focuses on leadership development and school turnaround strategies, and received a briefing on pending state and federal legislation that could impact district operations.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Board of Education March 04, 2026

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

Meetings in the Next Week
- Board of Commissioners, March 04, 2026 at 10:00 AM. This meeting focuses on significant infrastructure spending and social policy, including a proposed third-party audit of the 2026 budget and a resolution to set aside 2% of funds for new hospital facilities. Key items include over $800,000 in federal grants for municipal improvements across the county, funding for a new 70-unit affordable housing development in Vine City, and updates to voter ID education and jail diversion programs. Infrastructure projects on the agenda include water main relocations in Johns Creek and facility renovations at the county airport and several municipal parks.

Permits

Here’s a look at the latest activity at the planning office for our corner of town. From new retail coming to Piedmont Avenue to some significant demolition on Cheshire Bridge, there’s plenty of work getting started.

- 1529 Piedmont Ave NE — Major demolition permit filed for the vertical demolition of an existing one-story building down to the slab. Expect some noise and site activity here as the structure is cleared.
- 2321 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE — Commercial renovation of a second-generation building to accommodate a new bank. The project includes full interior demolition.
- 772 N Highland Ave NE — Interior demolition of three existing tenant suites in the heart of VaHi.
- San Antonio Dr NE — A high-dollar residential project including a new pool ($150,000) and additional building modifications ($50,000).
- 1544 Piedmont Ave NE — Modification of the existing tenant space at Ansley Mall to make way for a new cell phone store.
- 562 Dutch Valley Rd NE — Interior expansion of an existing dental office into the vacant adjacent space.
- 415 Plaster Ave NE — Interior renovation and build-out of a second-generation commercial space in Piedmont Heights.
- 1518 Monroe Dr NE — Commercial alteration permit to "reprogram" the interior layout of the existing space near Piedmont Park.
- 2120 Plasters Bridge Rd — Commercial alteration for the installation of new pallet racking systems.

Aside from these larger projects, there were 51 minor residential permits issued this week, including 19 arborist visits for dead or hazardous trees and 10 electrical upgrades across the neighborhood.

Road Work
- SR 13 at Monroe Drive — Construction Work Program. This project is officially funded and approved to convert the intersection into a multilane/hybrid roundabout. While construction hasn't started just yet, the plans are finalized, so we should see movement here soon.
- SR 13, SR 9, and Interstate Signal Upgrades — Under Construction. Crews are actively on-site at 11 different locations across the county to perform complete signal upgrades and ADA pedestrian improvements. Expect to see active work and potential traffic impacts at these intersections.
- I-85 Lighting from I-75 to North of Lenox Road — Under Construction. Active work is happening now to upgrade the old highway lighting to energy-efficient LEDs. This includes replacing poles and conduit, so keep an eye out for crews along the corridor.
- SR 13 from SR 9 to North Fork Peachtree Creek — Under Construction. Work is currently underway to resurface this stretch of SR 13. Since crews are on-site to improve the pavement, expect some lane closures and active machinery.
- I-85 Resurfacing from Brookwood Interchange to North of SR 155 — Construction Work Program. This large project spans multiple counties and is currently funded and approved. While paving hasn't started yet, contracts are being finalized, and work is imminent.
- Piedmont Road Bridge Replacement — Construction Work Program. GDOT has approved the replacement of the bridge over the CSX railroad tracks. Construction hasn't kicked off just yet, but the project is in the pipeline.
- I-85/I-285 Tunnel Lighting — Construction Work Program. This project, which covers lighting upgrades in the tunnel areas, is approved and funded but has not yet reached the active construction phase.
- Interstate Operational Analysis — Construction Work Program. This multi-county project is currently in the "scoping" phase. It’s a high-level study to improve interstate operations, so while it’s funded, you won’t see orange cones just yet.

Service Requests

Here’s a look at the latest service requests in the neighborhood to help you keep an eye on local maintenance and repairs:

- Potholes — Multiple reports were filed for repairs needed on Monroe Dr NE, Avalon Pl NE, Beech Valley Rd NE, Lanier Blvd NE, Noble Dr NE, and at the intersections of Piedmont Way & Pelham Rd and Virginia Ave & Park Dr.
- Traffic Signal Repairs — Both emergency and non-emergency signal issues were reported at the intersections of Piedmont Ave & Monroe Dr, Monroe Dr & Piedmont Way, and Piedmont Rd & Lambert Dr.
- Illegal Dumping and Litter Removal — Residents requested investigations and cleanup for dumping and litter along Lenox Rd NE and Sheridan Rd NE.
- Graffiti Removal — A request was submitted for graffiti removal in the right of way at Ogilvie Dr & Lenox Rd.
- Loose Metal Plate — A loose metal plate was reported to the Department of Transportation on Glen Arden Way NE.