West Midtown / Collier Hills: Bobby Dodd and Pretty Bird

Hey, West Midtown and Collier Hills — it's a big week. Mayor Dickens is fighting for his $5.5 billion neighborhood plan while the school board pumps the brakes on his tax extension, and the political fallout could land right on your property tax bill. On a lighter note, the Zunzi's space on Howell Mill finally has a new occupant, and Bobby Dodd Stadium has a new look worth seeing.

- News — The mayor's $5.5B neighborhood plan drew a seven-hour City Hall showdown, the school board is resisting his tax extension, and Georgia Tech's record-breaking baseball team is bringing NCAA postseason crowds right to campus.
- Business — Pretty Bird Rotisserie is taking over the old Zunzi's spot at 1971 Howell Mill Road, with an opening expected by end of June.
- Events — The Atlanta Greek Picnic takes over the Westside this Saturday, NCAA Baseball Regionals run all week at Russ Chandler Stadium, and Terminal West has a packed lineup from Monday through Saturday.
- Government — The full City Council meets Monday to vote on the FY2027 budget, new property tax rates, an $8M PATH Westside Connector investment, and a special use permit for a large venue at 665 Marietta Street NW.
- Construction — Atlantic Station is prepping a commercial space for a new tenant, Northside Drive intersection work is underway near Georgia Tech, and emergency lane closures on Northside Drive NW are snarling traffic now.

Let's dive in.

Green Box Homes makes regenerative landscaping easy and accessible. They grow beautiful, abundant, and sustainable yards one charming home at a time.

Sustainable design - Eco-friendly practices and materials that create sustainable designs, enhancing the natural environment and promoting biodiversity.

Green installation - Ecological designs brought to life by carefully shaping land, soil, water, and plant communities into resilient, living systems that grow healthier and more abundant over time.

Stewardship - A stewardship package that ensures each project matures gracefully, stays healthy, and continues to improve ecologically over time.

Start your transformation today!

NEWS

Atlanta mayor defends $5.5B neighborhood plan at city hall
Mayor Andre Dickens went to the mat for his sweeping 20-year, $5.5 billion neighborhood reinvestment plan at a City Hall meeting that stretched nearly seven hours. Dickens didn't mince words — declaring "I'm Atlanta born, I'm Atlanta bred. And when I die, I'm going to be Atlanta dead" — and the plan's scope means neighborhoods like ours could see significant investment decisions hinging on how this political fight plays out.

Atlanta school board members seem skeptical of mayor's tax extension plan
Mayor Andre Dickens' proposed tax extension is running into resistance from an unexpected corner — the Atlanta Board of Education. For homeowners in West Midtown and Collier Hills, where property tax bills are already a sore subject, how this tension between City Hall and the school board gets resolved could have real consequences on what you pay and how your local schools are funded.

Gas alarm at Georgia Tech leads to evacuation due to concerns of chemical leak
A gas alarm at a Georgia Tech research facility on the 700 block of Atlantic Drive NW sent emergency crews scrambling over concerns of a fluorine chemical leak. The scene was cleared without injury, but the wave of first responders that descended on the area was a jarring reminder of just how close cutting-edge — and occasionally hazardous — research happens to our front doors.

22 photos: How Georgia Tech's football stadium expansion turned out
Bobby Dodd Stadium has a new look, and by all accounts, it's worth seeing. The long-anticipated expansion replaces the old northeast concrete corner with modernized facilities, giving one of Midtown's most iconic structures a serious facelift — and giving Yellow Jacket fans a much better game-day experience right in our backyard.

Record-breaking Georgia Tech baseball ready to host postseason opener
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets baseball team had a historic regular season — a 48-9 record that shattered ACC benchmarks — and now they're bringing the NCAA Atlanta Regional home to campus. If you live near Home Park or Atlantic Station, plan accordingly: game-day crowds and traffic are coming, and this team has given people plenty of reasons to show up.

Atlanta festivals, events and parties to check out during the FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is coming to Atlanta, and the city is not playing it low-key. A new guide lays out the full slate of festivals, street parties, and watch events on tap — so whether you're a die-hard football fan or just enjoy a good neighborhood block party atmosphere, there's going to be plenty happening close to home.

Waymos back online in Atlanta after flooding, safety concerns
Atlanta's Waymo fleet is rolling again after a brief pause tied to localized flooding and a round of safety evaluations. If you've come to rely on the driverless cars for a late-night ride or a quick hop across Midtown, the good news is they're back — and their return is a quiet reminder of just how embedded this technology has already become in daily Atlanta life.

BUSINESS

Pretty Bird Rotisserie - opening - A new quick-serve rotisserie concept is set to land at 1971 Howell Mill Road by end of June, sliding into the space left behind by Zunzi's.

EVENTS

Monday, June 1
- NCAA Baseball Regionals: Atlanta – Session 7 | Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium
- Industry Night | Chattahoochee Food Works
- Em Beihold w/ Janani K. Jha | Terminal West

Tuesday, June 2
- Georgia's Largest Happy Hour TUESDAYS | Chattahoochee Food Works

Wednesday, June 3
- "Spellbound for Justice" Scrabble Tournament | Bold Monk Brewing Company
- Indie Market at Chattahoochee Food Works | Chattahoochee Food Works
- High Fade: Twice as Nice Tour | Terminal West

Thursday, June 4
- Atlanta F.A.M. – Fashion, Art & Music | Chattahoochee Food Works
- VHOOR | Terminal West

Friday, June 5
- Atlanta History Beverage Dinner | Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

Saturday, June 6
- 2026 Atlanta Greek Picnic - Zeddy Will Performing Live | Pinnacle Lot
- Grind Pretty Fest: Atlanta Remix | Westside Cultural Arts Center
- Haute & Freddy | Terminal West
- Saturday Night Sets : DJ Series | Chattahoochee Food Works

Sunday, June 7
- Sunday Famers Market | Chattahoochee Food Works
- Paint and Sip: Paint Night Done Right - Atlanta | Taste Wine Bar and Market
- Uncle Sugar The Northside - Sunday Night | Northside Tavern

Markets move. Headlines catastrophize. Inside the noise is the story that matters — the opportunity, not the fear. The Daily Upside: global business and finance, reported without the alarm.

Read for Free Now

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 City Council Committees

It was a busy week across City Council committee rooms, with confirmed action on several fronts and a packed agenda of proposals still awaiting final votes. On the public safety side, the Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee approved a new compensation plan to bring more competitive pay to Atlanta Fire Rescue, gave unanimous sign-off on a $4.7 million equipment contract for APD, and — looking ahead to the summer — approved a temporary open-container exemption for public spaces downtown during the FIFA World Cup (June 11–July 19); the committee also voted to require that field drug tests be followed by laboratory confirmation before they can form the basis of an arrest, a meaningful reform to how APD processes drug-related charges. The Community Development/Human Services Committee approved a $1.05 million renewal for BeltLine park maintenance, directed $735,000 in federal HOME funds toward affordable housing at the Sweet Auburn Grande development, and forwarded a $7.85 million proposal to acquire nearly 30 acres along Randall Mill Road for forest preservation — though a sweeping neighborhood reinvestment framework and dozens of land-use rezoning requests were deferred for further review. The Transportation Committee took up over $15 million in trail funding — including an $8 million agreement for the PATH Westside Connector and a boost to the PATH 400 Trail budget — alongside a $6 million state resurfacing grant and a $3.6 million Peachtree Street safety improvement project. Still on the agenda (no minutes yet posted) are the Finance/Executive Committee's consideration of the FY2027 budget and property tax rates, a proposed electronic payment surcharge, and the Zoning Committee's scheduled vote on banning new self-storage facilities within the BeltLine Overlay District, along with major rezoning proposals for the Chattahoochee Avenue corridor and new rules for medical cannabis dispensaries — keep in mind that any item on an agenda without posted minutes may be tabled, deferred, or withdrawn before a vote is taken. The City Utilities Committee is also scheduled to consider adjustments to solid waste fees, an $8.5 million road resurfacing transfer, new mandatory sewer connection criteria, and a $20 million infusion for sanitary sewer repairs — significant budget moves for residents who care about infrastructure and monthly utility bills.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee
- 665 Marietta St NW — A Special Use Permit for an establishment exceeding 7,500 sq. ft. where alcohol is sold and consumed is scheduled to be heard by the committee, though items may be tabled or deferred.
- 1579 Gates Pl NW — A request to modify specific building conditions for a lot in the DuPont Commons subdivision is on the agenda for consideration.

Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee
- 1116–1346 Logan Circle NW & 1325–1395 Chattahoochee Ave NW — The committee voted 6-0 to hold in committee a proposed Comprehensive Development Plan change from Industrial to Industrial Flex for this cluster of properties along the Logan Circle and Chattahoochee Avenue corridor.
- 1405 & 1417 Chattahoochee Ave NW — A companion CDP amendment seeking the same Industrial-to-Industrial Flex land use change for these two addresses was similarly deferred 6-0 for further review.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta Public Schools — Board of Education — Monday, June 1, 2026
The board is scheduled to take a final vote on the FY 2027 budget and consider a contract extension for the Superintendent, alongside proposals to purchase 22 new school buses and Yondr cell-phone pouches for students. Construction Management at Risk contracts for building improvements at Midtown High School and Maynard Jackson High School are also on the agenda.

- Atlanta City Council — Committee on Council — Monday, June 1, 2026 at 11:30 AM
The committee is scheduled to review proposed changes to public comment rules and sign-up procedures at City Hall, a held resolution requesting law enforcement presence at recreation center polling sites, and citizen appointments to the BeltLine's affordable housing and tax advisory boards.

- Atlanta City Council — Monday, June 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM
The full council is scheduled to take up the proposed FY 2027 city budget and new property tax rates, a nearly $7.9 million forest land purchase along Randall Mill Road NW, a $3.5 million police counter-drone technology contract, and a proposed ban on new self-storage facilities within the BeltLine Overlay District. A special use permit for a large alcohol-serving establishment at 665 Marietta Street NW is on the agenda.

- Atlanta NPU — NPU-E — Monday, June 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM (Virtual)
- Atlanta NPU — NPU-C — Monday, June 2, 2026 at 6:45 PM (Virtual)
- Fulton County Board of Commissioners — Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Commissioners are scheduled to consider a $15.6 million emergency radio system upgrade with Motorola Solutions, a $12.6 million contract renewal for operations of the Fulton County Behavioral Health Crisis Center, and resolutions supporting affordable housing conversions in Downtown Atlanta and new construction in English Avenue.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits

- 1740 Marietta Blvd NW — Patio expansion permit filed at this Blandtown/Bolton corridor address. The existing outdoor space is growing by 240 sq ft with a roof extension to cover it — a sign a business is betting on its outdoor experience.
- 260 18th St NW — A 1,659 sq ft white-box commercial space at Atlantic Station is being prepped for a new tenant, with both interior and exterior landlord modifications underway. Someone's moving in.
- 2351 Adams Dr NW — Roof replacement permit filed for a commercial property, with a full TPO membrane overlay system going in. Routine maintenance, but expect some crew activity.
- 450 14th St NW — Fire sprinkler system reconfiguration underway in a commercial space near Midtown's edge — typically signals a tenant buildout or change of use is in progress.
- 201 17th St NW — Multiple permits (plumbing, HVAC, electrical) finaling out at this Atlantic Station address, suggesting a renovation is wrapping up and a space is close to opening.

On the residential side, the area saw 36 minor permits this week — mostly tree removal (11 arborist permits), electrical upgrades, HVAC replacements, and fire sprinkler work in homes. Nothing dramatic, but the arborist volume is worth noting as summer storm season approaches.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 3/US 41 Intersection Improvements (Fulton County) — Operational upgrades are underway at the cluster of Northside Drive, 14th Street, and Hemphill Avenue. The work simplifies the intersection layout to improve signal timing and flexibility — good news long-term, but expect disruption near Georgia Tech's western edge in the meantime.
- I-75 Lighting Upgrade (Fulton County) — LED lighting is being installed along a 1.8-mile stretch of I-75 between Musket Ridge Drive and I-85, replacing older high-pressure sodium fixtures. Nighttime lane adjustments are common with this type of work, so give yourself extra buffer if you're on the interstate after dark.
- Bridge Preservation at Multiple Locations (Cobb, DeKalb & Fulton Counties) — A multi-site bridge project is active across three counties, with work including overlay coating, steel beam painting, and joint replacement. The Fulton County locations may touch routes relevant to commuters moving through the broader West Midtown corridor — worth watching for lane restrictions near bridges on your regular route.
- SR 9 Resurfacing (Fulton County) — Paving crews are working along SR 9 (Peachtree Road) from SR 3 north to Paces Ferry Road. This is a maintenance-driven resurface to address a low pavement condition score. Expect intermittent lane closures, particularly during off-peak hours.
- Buford Spring Connector Tunnel Lighting (Fulton County) — LED upgrades are in progress inside the Buford Spring Connector tunnel near I-85. Electrical work inside tunnels can mean periodic lane or shoulder closures — keep that in mind if this is part of your I-85 approach.

Pre-Construction

- Marietta Boulevard Corridor Study (Fulton County) — GDOT is scoping a full reconstruction and resurfacing of Marietta Boulevard between Coronet Way NW and Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. This is still in the study phase, but the corridor runs just under a mile from the neighborhood's edge — if you use Marietta Blvd as a cut-through to or from Bolton or Blandtown, this one's worth watching.
- Marietta Boulevard Shared-Use Path (Fulton County) — A companion project to the scoping study above, this one has a defined scope: a shared-use path running along Marietta Boulevard from Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway to Coronet Way. Bike and pedestrian infrastructure is coming to this stretch; no construction timeline yet.
- Marietta Road Bridge Replacement (Fulton County) — The existing Marietta Road bridge over the former CSX Tilford Yard is slated for full replacement, with new pavement, curb and gutter, and 5-foot sidewalks on both sides. Located about a mile out, but this bridge carries real cut-through traffic — expect significant disruption once work begins.
- Northside Drive Realignment — SR 3/US 19, Marietta Street to 8th Street (Fulton County) — A major reconfiguration is planned for Northside Drive from just south of Marietta Street up to 8th Street, adding two northbound and two southbound lanes with improved intersections at key cross streets. If your commute touches Northside Drive near Home Park or the Marietta Street Artery, this will eventually be a significant disruption.
- SR 9 / 14th Street Transformation, Howell Mill Road to W Peachtree Street (Fulton County) — A road realignment is planned along SR 9 and 14th Street across this full corridor. Details on the specific changes are still limited, but 14th Street is a major east-west connector for the area — keep an eye on this one as it progresses toward bidding.
- Moores Mill Road Roundabout at I-75 NB Ramps (Fulton County) — A two-lane roundabout is planned at the intersection of Moores Mill Road and the I-75 northbound ramps. If you use Moores Mill to access the interstate — especially from Collier Hills or Cross Creek — this interchange will look very different once construction wraps.

Service Requests

Traffic Signal Issues — Multiple intersections flagged for repairs, including State St & 14th St, 10th St & Hemphill Ave, Marietta Blvd & Bolton Rd, and Northside Dr & Marietta St for emergency-level outages, plus non-emergency signal trouble at Elaine Ave & Marietta Blvd and Northside Dr & 10th St.

Overgrowth / Visibility Concerns — Right-of-way vegetation complaints filed at De Foor Ave & Rhomboid St (multiple reports), Wesley Dr & Woodley Dr, and along Marietta Rd NW.

Potholes — Reported on Sunbury Pl NW and at Thomas St NW & Marietta Rd NW.

Litter Removal — A right-of-way cleanup was requested at 14th St & Techwood Dr.