Presented by Rally Built Homes

Hey y’all, before we get into it, two quick things: 1. Did you know if you have any questions or feedback you can just reply to this email? We read and reply to pretty much everything. 2. Next week we’ll be publishing Tuesday morning due to some staff vacation time, but then we’ll be back to our normal Monday morning routine.

Hey, West Midtown / Collier Hills! This week: Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall has opened its second location at Star Metals, with a 3-day grand opening celebration that ran October 23-25. We're also covering more news on MOCA GA's new permanent home on Foster Street and a Halloween weekend full of costume contests, trick-or-treating and movie nights close to home.

- News — The Atlanta City Council approved the $68 million sale of the city detention center to Fulton County on an 8-7 vote, MOCA GA opened its new Goat Farm home, and Georgia Tech and Emory announced a combined $1.1 billion AI investment.
- Business — Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall opened at 690 11th Street with 8,000 square feet of outdoor space, free validated parking and a Westside-only menu.
- Events — Halloween weekend brings trick-or-treating and a costume contest at Chattahoochee Food Works, a Hocus Pocus movie night at The Interlock, and the three-day Haunted Heist (Oct. 30–Nov. 1), with Buena Vista Social Club at the Fox running Oct. 27–Nov. 1.
- Government — Fulton commissioners voted to join the North Point Mall TAD and approved a bridge contract for senior rides, while the City Council's week of committee meetings includes zoning, utilities and transportation items.
- Construction — A 121-unit apartment building is in review on Chattahoochee Avenue, the Moores Mill Road bridge closed after a vehicle strike, and LED lighting work is underway along I-75.

Let's dive in.

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New Park Field Design- Have your Say
The Underwood Hills Neighborhood Association is working with Park Pride and Breedlove Land Planning, Inc., which is providing services pro bono, on a refurbishment of the lower playing field at Underwood Hills Park. Comments on the draft design can be emailed to [email protected] by November 9, and feedback is invited from all park users, including those who find the field inaccessible due to mobility issues.

MOCA GA Opens New Permanent Home in West Midtown Atlanta
The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia opened its building at 1260 Foster Street NW inside the Goat Farm Arts Center, with five galleries, a rooftop deck and a sculpture garden. The $16.4 million project, designed by Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects, opened to the public on October 7 and includes $2 million from the City of Atlanta.

$1 billion investment from Georgia Tech and Emory bets big on AI
The two universities announced a joint investment of over $1.1 billion in AI, with $575 million from Georgia Tech and $600 million from Emory. The announcements also referenced Georgia Tech's Nexus supercomputer in Tech Square, built with the National Science Foundation and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, which will open 90 percent of its computing capacity to researchers nationwide.

Atlanta City Council votes to sell detention center to Fulton County for $68 million
The council authorized the sale of the Atlanta City Detention Center in an 8-7 vote on October 19 after an hours-long debate and procedural confusion. The target closing date is December 2, and if negotiations run past that date the City will pay $150 per detainee daily.

Completing the Emerald Necklace
On the Westside, Enota Park in Westview is growing from a 0.3-acre playlot into an 8-acre park with a performance pavilion, splash pad, boardwalk and new connections to the Westside Trail. The Bike Park at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park, whose Phase 1 broke ground in January 2026, will cover roughly 45 acres and ultimately add 2.25 miles of mountain bike trails and .75 miles of hiking trails.

AtlDOT: What projects should we work on?
The Comprehensive Transportation Plan will guide future transportation improvements across Atlanta. The public can take a survey or attend an open house, with more information at atlctp.com.

BUSINESS

Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall opens second location in West Midtown's Star Metals District — The Beltline Eastside Trail restaurant opened its second location at 690 11th Street in West Midtown on Wednesday, October 21, with 8,000 square feet of outdoor space, free validated parking and a Westside-exclusive menu.

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Tuesday, October 27
- Buena Vista Social Club (Oct. 27–Nov. 1) | Fox Theatre Atlanta

Wednesday, October 28
- Friko | Actor’s Express – King Plow Arts Center
- Wellness Wednesdays: HIIT Like a Pro | The Interlock
- Bluegrass Open Jam | Ormsby's ATL
- Nine Perfect Lives | Terminal West

Thursday, October 29
- Ethan Regan w/ Lily Kershaw | Actor’s Express – King Plow Arts Center
- Boone’s Halloween Party | Boone’s
- Screen on the Green | Atlantic Green

Friday, October 30
- West 22nd: Places To Be | King Plow Arts Center
- Haunted Heist 2026 (Oct. 30–Nov. 1) | The Escape Game at The Interlock
- Disney's Hocus Pocus in Concert | Atlanta Symphony Hall

Saturday, October 31
- Trick-or-Treat at Chattahoochee Food Works | Chattahoochee Food Works
- Halloween Party & Costume Contest at Food Works | Chattahoochee Food Works
- Halloween Movie Night | The Interlock
- Creator’s Market | Atlantic Station
- Westside Market | The Interlock
- Neal Francis w/ Sam Fribush Organ Trio | Actor’s Express – King Plow Arts Center
- Game Day Watch Party: UGA vs. Florida | The Interlock
- Invesco QQQ Atlanta Gridiron Classic: University of Georgia vs. University of Florida | Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Young Miko – Late Checkout Tour | State Farm Arena

Sunday, November 1
- Atlanta United FC vs. Toronto FC | Atlanta’s Stadium
- Uncle Sugar  The Northside - Sunday Night | Northside Tavern

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Note: our information comes from posted meetings documents (agendas and minutes when available) — latest source document hyperlinked to each meeting.

Past Week Roundup

Fulton County Board of Commissioners
Commissioners voted 6-0 to join Alpharetta's North Point Mall Tax Allocation District, but only after striking language that would have let county tax money pay for buying real estate. Two resolutions from Commissioner Dana Barrett failed, one to end the 5% cap on department budget requests and one urging action against corporate takeovers of medical practices. The board held a proposed $9.59 million, 12-month senior transportation contract with Transdev and instead approved a three-month, $1.06 million bridge contract with Common Courtesy for ride-sharing services to residents 60 and older. That keeps rides running for seniors while the larger contract stays on hold. Commissioners also approved $3 million in standby water distribution construction contracts, split between two firms, to cover emergency and scheduled repairs through 2027.

Atlanta Public Schools
The Board of Education met October 21, but the posted minutes list no votes or decisions, only the standard agenda outline. The Policy Review Committee met the same day and spent its time on two discussion items. One was a proposed policy on how students and teachers can use artificial intelligence in classrooms. The other was the draft 2027 legislative priorities the district will bring to state lawmakers. Neither item got a vote, so both must return to the full board before anything changes for your child's school.

Atlanta City Council
Minutes aren't yet published for either meeting, so what follows comes from the agendas. As covered in today's news section, the full council's October 19 meeting centered on the sale of the city detention center to Fulton County. The same agenda also included legislation to ban routine use of city drinking water for data center cooling, a task force on data center rules, and a $2 million federal grant for streetscape design at Centennial Yards. Council also took up a ban on septic tanks in new commercial projects and protections for ratepayers hit by sudden water bill spikes. Meanwhile, the Committee on Council had on its agenda a request for certified police officers at recreation centers used as polling sites, competing changes to how the public signs up to speak at council meetings, and an outside legal review of city contracts with Foris Webb, III. It also considered a charter amendment that would require every piece of legislation to name a councilmember sponsor.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee | Oct-26, 11:00 AM | key topics: self-storage development moratorium extension, citywide zoning code update and family definition, BeltLine industrial-to-mixed-use rezonings, Cleveland Avenue commercial parking facility
- Atlanta City Council — Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee | Oct-26, 1:00 PM | key topics: anonymous housing code complaint protections, 911 emergency ESINet upgrade contract, Donald Lee Hollowell package alcohol distance waiver, federal JAG public safety grant
- Atlanta City Council — City Utilities Committee | Oct-27, 10:00 AM | key topics: citywide ban on commercial septic tanks, $25 million water distribution rehabilitation transfer, storm sewer contract funding, GDOT utility relocation allocations
- Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee | Oct-27, 1:30 PM | key topics: reserving BeltLine TAD funding for Murphy Crossing to Blandtown corridor, Cascade Road grocery store tree fee waiver, federal HUD entitlement grants, Community Benefits Agreements policy
- Atlanta NPU — NPU-D | Oct-27, 7:30 PM | key topics: Rando Lane front yard setback variance, Howell Mill Road permit denial appeal resolution, Main Street two-lot subdivision, Hills Avenue wholesale wine license
- Atlanta City Council — Transportation Committee | Oct-28, 10:00 AM | key topics: Habersham Road roundabout agreement, Faith Avenue traffic calming, Marietta Boulevard corridor overhaul grant, street abandonment hearings for Truitt Street and Shirley Place
- Atlanta City Council — Finance/Executive Committee | Oct-28, 1:30 PM | key topics: Glynn Drive annexation and school expansion public hearing, Trees Atlanta urban forestry agreement, youth development grants, single-use plastics procurement rules

CONSTRUCTION | Presented by

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Permits
- 1280 Chattahoochee Ave NW, new multifamily building in review. Three filings cover the above-slab work on a wood-framed apartment building with 121 units. Your area is getting more neighbors.
- 1189 Howell Mill Rd NW, commercial alteration ready to issue. The plan is a whitebox interior renovation that combines suites into 12,182 SF, plus a new rooftop HVAC unit. Expect a new tenant to move in soon.
- 1016 Howell Mill Rd NW, multifamily alteration in review. The project renovates the pool deck and pool club room, redoes the toilet rooms, and revises guest access. Amenity upgrades like this usually mean the property is competing harder for renters.
- 1251 Marietta Blvd NW, interior renovation of Suite 100 for HVH Mechanical. The existing office space gets a new ceiling and new flooring. The permit still needs additional materials before it moves forward.
- 425 10th St NW, electrical permit issued for a new 200 amp service for AT&T inside an existing church. The work adds a separate power meter.
- 1510 Ellsworth Industrial Dr NW, fire sprinkler permit issued. Crews will add and relocate sprinklers to meet NFPA 13.
- 1175 Chattahoochee Ave NW, fire sprinkler permit issued. Crews will add and relocate sprinklers off the existing wet system to meet NFPA 13.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 3/US 41 from CS 1704/Tech Pkwy to CS 696/Hemphill Ave (Fulton County) — The cluster of intersections where Northside Drive meets 14th Street and Hemphill Avenue is being simplified so its signals can be timed more flexibly.
- I-75 from Musket Ridge Drive to I-85 - Lighting (Fulton County) — Crews are swapping I-75's old high-pressure sodium lights for LED fixtures from Musket Ridge Drive down to I-85.
- SR 9 from SR 3 to N of Paces Ferry Rd & SR 9 SO from SR 9 to SR 9 (Fulton County) — Crews are repaving SR 9 (Peachtree Street/Road) from SR 3 north to just past Paces Ferry Road.
- Buford Spring Connector @ I-85 - Tunnel Lighting (Fulton County) — LED fixtures are replacing the old sodium lights in the Buford Spring Connector tunnel at I-85.
- Bridge Preservation @ 7 Locs in Cobb, DeKalb & Fulton — Crews are resurfacing decks, painting steel beams and replacing joints on several metro bridges. Closest to West Midtown is Deering Road over the I-75/I-85 ramp.
- I-85 from I-75 to N of Lenox Road - Lighting — LED fixtures are replacing the old sodium lights along I-85 from I-75 to just north of Lenox Road.
- I-75 & I-285 @ 2 Locs in Cobb - Bridge Preservation — Two Cobb County bridges, South Cobb Drive over I-285 and Shiloh Road over I-75, are getting new deck overlays, paint and joints.

Utility Work

Atlanta Watershed:
- Bridge Closure on Moores Mill Road Following Heavy Vehicle Strike — The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management closed the Moores Mill Road bridge over Peachtree Creek on October 20 following an incident involving a heavy vehicle strike.

Service Requests
- Traffic Signal Repairs (6 reports): You'll find trouble at Towers St NW, De Foor Ave NW and Collier Rd NW, Howell Mill Rd and Norfleet Rd, W Marietta St NW and 889 Howell Mill Rd, and W Marietta St and 8th St/Brady Ave. One more location also made the list. Expect some unusual signal behavior at those intersections.
- Potholes (6 reports): Reported on Wilson Rd NW, Williams St NW, Bolton Dr NW, Northcliffe Dr NW, and Ridgemore Rd NW, plus one more spot. If you drive Bolton Dr or Wilson Rd, keep an eye out.
- Right of Way Overgrowth (2 reports): Blocked sightlines at Holmes St NW and Antone St NE, and along Collier Rd NW.
- Litter Removal: Parkview Ln NW.

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Until next week,
West Midtown / Collier Hills Busybody

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Disclaimer: We use advanced data retrieval and analysis techniques across hundreds of sources, and may be prone to occasional error. Independently verify information with a secondary source, and please let us know if we got anything wrong via the feedback form.