West Midtown / Collier Hills: Fresh Pasta and Final Beltline Links

Good morning, West Midtown and Collier Hills! This week, we’re talking about new murals and the Beltline's final Westside link getting its glow-up. From viral retail finds to a massive mural celebrating West Midtown's Black history, here's everything happening in our neck of the woods this week.

- Big Stories — The development never stops on the Westside, with new murals, beltline improvements, and a massive English Avenue project.
- Local Business Updates — We're welcoming a breezy new Italian gem, a viral retail find, and the city's most iconic beer fest to our neck of the woods.
- Upcoming Events — Whether you want to learn sushi making, catch pro volleyball, or hit a salsa class, there's plenty to fill up your week.
- Local Government Discussion — Between the "Great Tablet Debate" at APS and massive industrial rezonings on Chattahoochee Avenue, the local powers that be are staying busy.
- Development & Construction Nearby — It's "out with the old" for buildings on Marietta Boulevard and "in with the new" for patio upgrades and better road lighting.

Let's dive in.

BIG STORIES

Coming to your neighborhood: TAD Townhall May 9 (March 17, 2026)
Underwood Hills, listen up because there's a multi-billion-dollar decision on the table that affects how our schools and roads get funded. A town hall is popping off on May 9th to discuss extending the city's Tax Allocation Districts, and yes, your voice actually matters here. It's basically a crash course in where our tax dollars go, so mark your calendars if you care about the neighborhood's bottom line.

Massive mural in Atlanta nears completion ahead of World Cup (March 20, 2026) The city is getting a serious glow-up just in time for the world's biggest soccer party. A massive new mural along Northside Drive and 17th Street is nearing completion, celebrating the history of West Midtown's Black community. Commissioned by the city ahead of the World Cup, artist Corey Barksdale's piece depicts the Bland family, the area's industrial past, and local landmarks like the Goat Farm. It's definitely going to be the backdrop for a thousand Instagram posts.

Images: How short but crucial Beltline stretch is coming together (March 18, 2026) Great news for everyone tracking the Beltline's progress: the Westside Trail is entering its final stretch. New visuals show the design is nearly complete, with construction expected to begin after the World Cup this summer. It's another step toward closing a vital gap in the 22-mile loop. The connection between the Westside and the rest of the city is finally becoming a reality.

English Avenue project called largest in a generation moves forward (March 17, 2026) A massive development just south of Georgia Tech is being called "transformative," and it's finally picking up steam. We're talking a serious dose of new housing in an area that's been synonymous with disinvestment for way too long. It's a huge win for the Westside and a sign that the neighborhood's footprint is evolving in a big way.

LOCAL BUSINESS UPDATES

Füm - recognition - If you've been craving a vibe that feels more like a breezy afternoon in Miami than a commute on Howell Mill, this new Italian gem is your answer. With a pastaio pulling fresh noodles behind the counter and a patio framed by olive trees, it's basically a vacation in a bowl. (March 19, 2026)

Olaria - opening - This new retail destination is already the "it" spot of the neighborhood after a viral video sent everyone rushing to check it out. It's been teeming with shoppers looking for that perfect unique find—better get there before the secret is officially out! (March 19, 2026)

O-nada - opening - The mastermind behind Omakase Table, Chef Leonardo Yu, is shifting gears from high-end sushi to an Argentinean steakhouse right here on the Westside. We're already drooling thinking about what he'll do with a grill and some prime cuts. (March 17, 2026)

SweetWater 420 Fest - relocating - Our neck of the woods just got a major upgrade to its social calendar. This iconic festival is officially moving to Shirley Clarke Franklin Park, prioritizing affordability and a fresh atmosphere for its next big party. (March 16, 2026)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Whether you're heading to the ballpark or the ballroom, it's a massive week for West Midtown! Between a marquee ACC baseball series at Russ Chandler Stadium and a professional volleyball showdown at McCamish Pavilion, the neighborhood is going to be buzzing with energy all the way through Sunday.

Monday, March 23
- Industry Night | Chattahoochee Food Works

Tuesday, March 24
- Benee w/ BAYLi | Terminal West
- International Women's Day 2026 at Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech Kendeda Building
- West Georgia Wolves at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Softball | Shirley Clements Mewborn Field
- Georgia's Largest Happy Hour TUESDAYS | Chattahoochee Food Works

Wednesday, March 25
- Mindchatter: Giving Up on Words Tour | Terminal West
- LOVB Atlanta v LOVB Nebraska | Overtime Elite Arena
- Run the Station | Atlantic Station
- Sushi Making With Chef Jennifer | Taste Wine Bar and Market

Thursday, March 26
- Screen on the Green | Atlantic Green
- Chicheria Mexican Kitchen's Salsa Dancing Class + Taco Dinner | Chichería Mexican Kitchen
- International Women's Day 2026 | Georgia Tech Conference Services
- Georgia Tech Men's Tennis vs Stanford | Ken Byers Tennis Complex
- Atlanta F.A.M. THURSDAYS- Fashion, Art & Music | Chattahoochee Food Works
- 1tbsp | Terminal West

Friday, March 27
- Georgia Tech Baseball vs NC State | Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium
- Rochelle Jordan | Terminal West
- Georgia Tech Women's Tennis vs Miami (FL) | Ken Byers Tennis Complex

Saturday, March 28
- LOVB Atlanta vs LOVB Madison: Spread The LOVB | Georgia Tech – McCamish Pavilion
- Rise City Dance presents Cinderella & Other Stories | Ferst Center For The Arts
- NC State Wolfpack at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Baseball | Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium
- Dirty Three | Terminal West
- Georgia Tech Men's Tennis vs California | Ken Byers Tennis Complex
- THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH | SATURDAYS REVEL IN MIDTOWN | REVEL ATLANTA

Sunday, March 29
- Farmer's Market SUNDAYS | Chattahoochee Food Works
- Georgia Tech Baseball vs NC State Baseball | Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium
- Georgia Tech Women's Tennis vs. Florida State | Ken Byers Tennis Complex
- Uncle Sugar @ The Northside - Sunday Night | Northside Tavern

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISCUSSION

Atlanta Public Schools

Discussion from the Past Week

It was a bit of a quiet week for the folks running our schools—mostly because a lot of them didn't actually show up. The Policy Review Committee met on March 19, but with six out of nine voting members absent, they didn't have a quorum. In plain English? They couldn't legally vote on anything, so the meeting turned into more of a formal "study hall" to discuss some major changes coming down the pike for students and parents.

One of the biggest items on the table was the Great Tablet Debate. The committee is looking into implementing screen time limits to balance out all that digital learning with, you know, real life. If you've noticed your student is a little too attached to their school-issued device, this policy update is the one to watch. They also spent time debating graduation requirements—specifically community service. They are looking at how those hours are tracked and whether the current requirements are helping or just adding more stress to high schoolers' plates.

But here's the thing: while the Policy Review folks were talking about screens, the district is also looking to tighten up Policy JB, which handles student attendance. It sounds like bureaucratic fine print, but this policy dictates exactly how the district tracks and manages absences. They are also eyeing some internal financial "housekeeping" regarding how the Board of Education's own office handles its budget and procedures.

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

Fulton County is officially getting back into the hospital business—or at least, that's the plan. In the most significant move of the week, the Board greenlit "Phase Three" of a plan to build a brand-new hospital in South Fulton. Partnering with Grady Health System and the Morehouse School of Medicine, the county is looking to fill the massive healthcare void left by recent closures. It's a major "intent to build" moment, though the actual construction and negotiations over clinical faculty are still in the early stages.

In a move that surprised absolutely no one who has ever dealt with a slow work laptop, the Board also approved a massive "PC Refresh." They're dropping $2.3 million to replace aging computers and laptops across the county. Meanwhile, if you're a fan of local culture, five major centers (including the Chattahoochee Nature Center and Hammonds House) are each getting a $200,000 boost for programming and operations.

But here's the thing: while the money was flowing for computers and art, it hit a snag for legal aid. A nearly $1 million appropriation for the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation was "held," meaning it's sitting in bureaucratic limbo for now. The Board also played a high-stakes game of musical chairs to fill vacancies left by the empty District 4 seat, divvying up spots on influential boards like the Atlanta Beltline and the Stadium Authority among the remaining commissioners.

On the infrastructure front, the Board spent a good chunk of the meeting handling the "un-glamorous" essentials. They approved over $15 million for water and wastewater operations, mostly focused on North Fulton, and signed off on several routine agreements to maintain sewer lines and manage stormwater for new developments across the county. They also officially signaled their support for South Downtown small businesses as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup crowd.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Board of Commissioners March 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM. No agenda is currently available for this meeting.

Atlanta City Council

Discussion from the Past Week

It was a busy week at City Hall, where the Council balanced "keeping the lights on" with some serious internal drama. The biggest headline involves an independent investigation into nearly $1 million in consulting payments made to former Municipal Clerk Foris Webb III. The Council is looking for a "conflict-free" outside lawyer to figure out why the city paid $35,000 a month for work related to the Public Safety Training Center referendum—work that critics suggest might not have actually happened. Meanwhile, the Council is also asserting its independence from the Mayor's office, moving to strip the executive "Vacancy Review Board" of its power over Council hiring. Basically, the Council is telling the Mayor's office to stay out of their HR department.

On the policy front, the city is officially in "FIFA mode." With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the Council updated the sign ordinance to allow massive building-wrap advertisements downtown during major events and authorized a flurry of beautification projects. They also tackled the less glamorous but essential task of cleaning up the city's boards and commissions. Right now, dozens of boards are paralyzed because they don't have enough members to vote (a "quorum"); a new Charter amendment would let the Council step in and fill those seats if a specific district's representative leaves them empty for too long.

Finally, the Council authorized property acquisitions for new sidewalks on Chattahoochee Avenue, signaling a slow but steady move toward making the industrial corridors of the Westside a bit more pedestrian-friendly.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
West Midtown is currently the center of some major real estate reshuffling. The Council approved a five-year industrial lease at 2284 Marietta Blvd NW for city use (costing about $32,000 a month). Even more significant for the future of Blandtown and Hills Park, the Council advanced plans for a massive rezoning of industrial land along Logan Circle and Chattahoochee Avenue. This is the beginning of a push to turn 36 acres of heavy industrial space into a mixed-use hub of housing and retail. They also formally authorized land acquisition for the long-awaited sidewalk improvements on Chattahoochee Avenue.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Zoning Committee – March 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM: This is the big one for our area. The committee will discuss rezoning 36 acres of industrial land to mixed-use residential at 1325-1395 and 1405-1417 Chattahoochee Ave NW, plus 690 11th St NW. This could fundamentally change the "vibe" of the Upper Westside.
- Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee – March 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM: Discussion includes creating a temporary open-container district downtown for the World Cup and a $7.6 million grant for "counter-drone" tech. They'll also look at infrastructure updates at 1800 Howell Mill Rd NW and general items at 383 16th St NW.
- City Utilities Committee – March 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM: The agenda includes a new 14,000-square-foot mural project for the North Avenue Tunnel and a proposal to make it easier for the city to restore streams on public land.
- Community Development/Human Services Committee – March 24, 2026 at 1:30 PM: This meeting focuses on a $7.7 million lead paint removal grant and updates to neighborhood blueprints, specifically mentioning the Collier Road corridor and BeltLine Subarea 8.
- Transportation Committee – March 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM: Expect fireworks as the Council grills MARTA on bus route changes and the stalled Eastside BeltLine rail. Also on the list: safety improvements for Northside Dr & 17th St.
- Finance/Executive Committee – March 25, 2026 at 1:30 PM: This is where your wallet comes in. The committee will set the preliminary property tax rates and take its first look at the city's multi-billion dollar budget for 2027.

Atlanta NPU

Meetings in the Next Week
- NPU-D Monthly Meeting March 24, 2026 at 7:30 PM. Fire up the laptop for the monthly gathering of the neighborhood's "zoning police" and civic-minded volunteers. This virtual session typically covers everything from new liquor licenses for the West Midtown food scene to resident-led appeals for backyard variances and city-wide legislative updates.

DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION NEARBY

Permits
- 950 Marietta St NW — Big moves near the Artery! Storefronts are being demoed and walls are coming down to make way for a new tenant build-out, including a brand-new bar layout. Keep your ears open for the construction noise and your eyes peeled for a new happy hour spot.
- 2051 Marietta Blvd NW — The industrial landscape is shifting. Permits were issued for the total "vertical demolition" of four buildings, including the old NAPA Auto Parts and several workshops. It's going to be a dusty scene while they clear the way for whatever is next.
- 1055 Howell Mill Rd NW — West Midtown's patio game is leveling up. A new pergola and exterior terrace seating are coming to the Star Metals area. We're already dreaming of breezy summer cocktails.
- 2085 Marietta Blvd NW — Just down the street from the NAPA demo, another 6,000-square-foot office building is slated for the wrecking ball. This stretch of Marietta Boulevard is definitely in transition.
- 1650 Marietta Blvd NW — Expect some heavy-duty rooftop activity here. They're adding structural reinforcements to support massive new mechanical equipment. If you see a crane, now you know why.
- 857 Collier Rd NW — A new laundry pick-up station is moving in near the shopping center. Not the flashiest update, but a major win for anyone looking to outsource their "Laundry Day" chores.
- 1374 Atlantic Dr NW — Retail therapy update: Nordstrom Rack is getting an internal facelift with new shoe display shelves. Because one can never have too many options (or shoes).
- 1375 Seaboard Industrial Blvd NW — Someone is finally getting some relief from the Georgia heat with a full HVAC system install. Stay cool!
- 1036 Liberty Pkwy NW — A quick "like-for-like" window swap is happening. A nice little refresh without the drama of a full structural renovation.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 3/US 41 Operational Improvements at 14th Street — If you've been wondering why the Northside Drive, 14th St, and Hemphill Ave intersection feels like a puzzle lately, GDOT is actively working to simplify the cluster. They're rearranging the signals and layout to give us all a little more flexibility (and hopefully less "staring at a red light" time).
- I-75 Lighting Upgrades (Fulton County) — Expect to see crews between Musket Ridge Drive and the I-85 interchange. They are swapping out those old, dim HPS bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs. It'll make the night commute a lot clearer, just keep your eyes peeled for shoulder work and bucket trucks.
- SR 9 Resurfacing (Fulton County) — Work is officially underway to fix the "low OCI score" (DOT-speak for a bumpy ride) on SR 9 from Northside Drive up toward Paces Ferry. It's been a minute since this stretch was paved, so prepare for a much smoother drive once they wrap up.
- Bridge Preservation at 7 Locations (Cobb, DeKalb & Fulton Counties) — This one spans several counties, but locally, watch for crews on US 41. They're doing the heavy lifting—replacing bridge joints and painting steel beams—to keep our infrastructure from getting too cranky.
- Buford Spring Connector Tunnel Lighting — More LEDs are coming to the tunnels where the Connector meets I-85. They're replacing old wiring and conduit, so expect some activity in the darker stretches of the commute as they brighten things up.
- SR 13 Resurfacing from SR 9 to Peachtree Creek — If you use the stretch of SR 13 between Peachtree Street and the North Fork of Peachtree Creek, a smoother ride is on the horizon. This corridor hasn't been resurfaced since 2012, so the active work crews are a very welcome sight.

Construction Work Program
- Marietta Blvd from Coronet Way to Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy — Heads up, Blandtown! GDOT is scoping out a total reconstruction and resurfacing for this stretch. It also includes plans for a brand-new shared-use path, which should eventually make the trek toward the Westside Park much smoother.
- Marietta Road Bridge Replacement — This one is a biggie for the Tilford Yard area: the old bridge over the former rail yard is getting a complete makeover. We're talking a brand-new structure, fresh pavement, and — finally — continuous 5-foot sidewalks on both sides.
- SR 3/Northside Drive at the I-75 Overpass — Get ready for a lane shuffle near Loring Heights. The plan is to reduce the roadway on the overpass to one northbound lane and two southbound lanes to better manage the flow. It's an "enhancement" project, but definitely one to watch if this is your primary route to the highway.
- 14th Street Realignment (Howell Mill to W. Peachtree) — This "road transformation" is coming for the heart of West Midtown and Atlantic Station. Since it stretches all the way from Howell Mill to West Peachtree, expect some major shifts in how we navigate the district's busiest corridor.
- I-75 Northbound Ramps at Moores Mill Road — Say goodbye to the current layout near Wildwood; a new roundabout is in the works for the Moores Mill exit. It'll feature a two-lane section on Moores Mill eastbound to help separate traffic and (hopefully) keep things moving during the morning rush.
- SR 9/Peachtree Road Bridge over CSX — Just north of Collier Hills, GDOT is prepping to replace the bridge over the railroad tracks. Since this involves a major segment of Peachtree Road with five traffic lanes, the construction footprint will likely be a major "avoid at all costs" zone once it begins.
- Northside Drive from Marietta Street to 8th Street — Huge changes are coming to the edge of Georgia Tech. This realignment will create four lanes (two in each direction) with much-needed intersection improvements at Marietta Street and 8th Street to help fix that awkward transition.
- SR 8 (Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy) near the Beltline — Great news for walkers and bikers: new pedestrian and bicycle accommodations are coming to the stretch between the Proctor Creek Greenway and the Atlanta Beltline. It's a major win for connectivity on the southern edge of the neighborhood.

Utility Work

Atlanta Watershed
- Temporary Lane Closure at 2399 Bolton Road NW — Heads up if you're driving through the Bolton area: there's a temporary lane closure at 2399 Bolton Road NW (between Barnett Drive NW) for sewer work. The work starts March 24, so give yourself a little extra time if you're heading that way.

Service Requests
- Potholes — Spied at three spots along Bohler Rd NW and at the corner of Bolton Dr & Marietta Blvd. Keep your eyes peeled unless you're looking for an excuse to buy new tires.
- Traffic Signal Repairs — Multiple reports of signal issues at the intersection of Northside Dr & Bellemeade Ave. Pack your patience (and maybe a snack) if you're heading that way.
- Sign Repair & Replacement — Work is needed for signs at Fairmont Ave & English St and where Joseph E Lowery Blvd hits Marietta St.
- Illegal Dumping — An investigation is underway on Collier Rd NW. Seriously, the curb is not a trash can—let's keep the neighborhood classy.