West Midtown / Collier Hills: Waterworks Village Opens — And Blandtown's Next Big Bet

Hey West Midtown and Collier Hills — a lot moved this week, starting right in your backyard: Atlanta officially opened Waterworks Village, 100 modular units on city watershed land designed to get unhoused residents into stable housing fast. Meanwhile, the Blandtown warehouse district is the latest neighborhood in the crosshairs of Beltline-adjacent redevelopment, and City Hall had a packed week of committee action with real stakes for how this city gets built and governed. Plenty to dig into below.

- News — Waterworks Village opens 100 modular units on West Midtown watershed land, Blandtown gets a new Beltline-adjacent apartment proposal, and stalled construction on UrbA ATL near Atlantic Station is finally moving again.
- Events — The Chastain Park Spring Arts Festival runs this weekend, Cinco de Mayo takes over multiple neighborhood spots Tuesday, and Mother's Day options are stacked from Flight Club to Chattahoochee Food Works.
- Government — The city authorized a $1.3B airport bond and a $39M new 911 Center, held the FY2027 budget for a May 4 vote, and advanced a ban on new self-storage within the Beltline Overlay — plus a FIFA World Cup watch party is on the agenda for Sarah J. Gonzales Park.
- Construction — UrbA ATL has crews back on 17th Street, EV chargers are coming to Howell Mill Road, a major electrical upgrade is underway on DeFoor Avenue, and the Marietta Street and Northside Drive signal intersection had three emergency repair requests this week.

Referral Contest Update: With one week to go, Kay S. still leads with 8 referrals! One week left to catch up to her, or she’ll walk away with the grand prize.

As a reminder, whoever makes the most referrals by May 10th wins a $50 gift card to Fifth Group Restaurants. Even if you don’t win the contest, though, we have other rewards you can win (see below). These referrals are much appreciated, as helping us grow means a lot to us and allows us to keep this thing going.

Let’s dive in.

NEWS

Early Voting for May 19 Primary Underway in Fulton County
Early voting is open now for the May 19 primary, and there's no good reason to wait until Election Day — multiple Fulton County locations are ready for you. The races on the ballot will shape decisions on zoning, school funding, and public safety in ways that hit close to home, so this one's worth your time.

Waterworks Village Launches as Modular Housing for Unhoused Residents
Right here in West Midtown, on city watershed land, Atlanta has opened Waterworks Village — 100 modular units built specifically to get unhoused residents into stable housing fast. It's the city's first modular multifamily community of its kind, and its location in our backyard makes it one of the most tangible signs yet that the homelessness conversation is moving from City Hall into our streets.

New Beltline Community Planned for Blandtown Warehouse District
The Blandtown warehouse district is the latest target for Beltline-adjacent redevelopment, with a project called Lumberyard Apartments proposing to convert industrial land into a residential community. If it moves forward, it would deepen the Westside's connection to the trail network and continue the steady transformation of a neighborhood that barely resembled this version of itself a decade ago.

Construction Restarts on UrbA ATL Project Near Atlantic Station
After sitting dormant for more than a year, the UrbA ATL mixed-use development on 17th Street near Atlantic Station has crews back on site. The project will eventually add hundreds of new residences to a long-vacant parcel — welcome news for a corridor that has been waiting on this infill for years.

Atlanta City Council President's First Town Hall Connects Residents With City Liaisons
City Council President Overstreet held the first in what's shaping up to be a regular town hall series, giving residents direct access to department heads rather than the usual runaround. Neighbors showed up with real concerns — infrastructure gaps, public safety questions, planning issues — and the format offered something rarer than it should be: actual answers from actual decision-makers.

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EVENTS

The Chastain Park Spring Arts Festival runs all weekend (May 9–10), making it one of the bigger draws of the season — a great reason to head outside and soak up some late-spring Atlanta energy before the heat really settles in. Plan your route accordingly if you're moving through the Chastain area.

Monday, May 4
- Industry Night | Chattahoochee Food Works

Tuesday, May 5
- Cinco de Mayo | Chichería Mexican Kitchen
- Cinco De Mayo! | Chattahoochee Food Works
- Georgia's Largest Happy Hour TUESDAYS | Chattahoochee Food Works

Wednesday, May 6
- Wellness Wednesdays | Atlantic Green
- Indie Market at Chattahoochee Food Works | Chattahoochee Food Works

Thursday, May 7
- Atlanta F.A.M. – Fashion, Art & Music | Chattahoochee Food Works
- Magic Sword & Dance With the Dead | Terminal West

Friday, May 8
- Sister Ray & Bahamas | Terminal West
- Georgia Tech Baseball vs Duke | Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium
- Bradley Cole Smith | Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q Westside
- Dyer Davis | Northside Tavern

Saturday, May 9
- Springfest | Round Trip Brewing Co.
- Unlimited Gourmet Taco Tasting Experience | Chicheria Mexican Kitchen
- Georgia Tech Baseball vs Duke | Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium
- Celebrate Mother's Day Weekend at Chastain Park Spring Arts Festival - May 9-10 | Chastain Park

Sunday, May 10
- Mother's Day Plans, Right on Target at Flight Club Atlanta | Flight Club Atlanta
- Mom's Day Out! | Chattahoochee Food Works
- Sunday Famers Market | Chattahoochee Food Works
- Georgia Tech Baseball vs Duke | Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium
- Create Custom Candles With Instructor Jocelyn - Candle Making Class by Classpop! | Taste Wine Bar and Market
- Uncle Sugar The Northside - Sunday Night | Northside Tavern
- UHNA Spring Social | Underwood Hills Park

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 — Finance/Executive Committee

The committee's biggest move was authorizing the issuance of up to $1.3 billion in bonds for infrastructure improvements at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, part of the airport's long-range master plan — a massive investment that will shape the region's economic engine for years. On the public safety front, a $39 million construction contract was awarded for a new citywide 911 Center, replacing aging emergency communications infrastructure. Closer to everyday neighborhood life, the committee approved a $600,000 donation to the Grant Park Conservancy for an outdoor classroom and fountain repairs, along with clarifying rules for the "Blighted Property" tax program that creates clearer pathways for redevelopment incentives. Retroactive authorization of $4 million for water meter installations was also approved, covering work already underway for the Department of Watershed Management. Two big-ticket items were held for a May 4 vote: the FY2027 budget and property tax rates, meaning homeowners won't know their final rates quite yet, and a proposal for free summer camp programming at Camp Best Friends, which saw a rare 5-2 split on whether to keep it in committee.

Atlanta City Council — Transportation Committee

The committee approved accepting a $3.6 million grant from GDOT for safety improvements along Peachtree Street in Midtown, a major win for pedestrians and cyclists in one of the city's busiest corridors. Neighborhood connectivity got a boost with authorization for property acquisitions needed to advance Segment 4 of the Proctor Creek Greenway, including the power to use condemnation proceedings if negotiations with landowners stall. A $7.5 million sidewalk repair contract with Knight & Associates was renewed for another year, keeping the city's curb, ramp, and driveway apron maintenance program running. The committee also approved — with conditions pending review by the City Utilities Committee — a package of easements granting the Atlanta Botanical Garden access to utility and drainage infrastructure on an abandoned stretch of city-owned road. On the symbolic side, the committee voted to rename a stretch of Lee Street SW to "Judge Thelma Cummings Moore Way." Held for further review were a feasibility study on privatizing TSA screening at Hartsfield-Jackson, a proposal to abandon part of Gilmer Street SE to Georgia State University, and a pedestrian mobility project on Campbellton Road.

Atlanta City Council — Community Development/Human Services Committee

The committee approved a $52.1 million federal grant from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security to fund emergency management and public safety preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — one of the largest single grants tied to the tournament so far. On the neighborhood infrastructure front, nearly $1.9 million was authorized for construction of Enota Park along the BeltLine, moving that project from planning into reality. The committee also adopted a new rule requiring a mandatory 72-hour waiting period before demolition permits can be issued for structurally distressed properties, giving the city — and neighbors — a window to review teardown requests before the wrecking ball arrives. A proposal to establish a citywide Short-Term Rental registry and oversight office was held in committee at the sponsor's request, meaning Airbnb rules remain unsettled for now. The committee also voted to temporarily pause the sale of a city-owned property pending a community impact review, with the vote passing 2-0 amid several abstentions — a sign the item remains contested.

Atlanta City Council — City Utilities Committee

The committee's biggest structural move was unanimously approving the transfer of approximately 12 acres of city-owned land — currently under the Department of Watershed Management — to Invest Atlanta for future marketing, sale, or land exchange, with a portion reserved for continued watershed use. Sewer infrastructure dominated much of the agenda, with the committee forwarding budget amendments and contract increases totaling more than $45 million for the city's Sanitary Sewer Repairs Project, split across contracts with two joint-venture teams. The committee also approved a roughly $24 million change order to fold the Peachtree Creek Eastside 2B project into an existing agreement, expanding the scope of one of the city's major stormwater initiatives. A $1.28 million donation from The Conservation Fund was accepted and immediately authorized for the Greensferry Stream and floodplain restoration project in Hunter Hills. One rare dissenting vote came on a $3.2 million painting and pressure washing contract, which passed 2-1 with two abstentions — unusual friction for what might seem like routine maintenance spending. A proposed flood protection waiver for a residential property on Oldfield Road was held in committee for the second time, with the committee still seeking more information before acting.

Atlanta City Council — Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee

In a unanimous vote, the committee approved a temporary alcohol exemption allowing open consumption on designated downtown streets and parking areas from June 11 through July 19, 2026, to accommodate FIFA World Cup festivities — a significant, time-limited carve-out from city code. First responder pay got attention too, with the committee unanimously advancing a new sworn compensation plan for Atlanta Fire Rescue designed to help the city compete for and retain firefighters. In a notable civil liberties decision, the committee unanimously approved a resolution directing the Atlanta Police Department to stop using colorimetric field drug tests as a standalone basis for arrest, requiring laboratory confirmation before charges can proceed — a change that could meaningfully affect how drug-related stops are handled on the street. Following concerns raised after this year's "404 Day" celebrations, the committee also approved launching an emergency study of the annual event, creating a multi-stakeholder committee to assess its neighborhood and resource impacts. A proposed 180-day moratorium on new alcohol licenses in the Edgewood Corridor was held at the sponsor's request, keeping that community conversation open.

Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee

The committee moved quickly through its April 27 session — wrapping in just 26 minutes — advancing a handful of items to the full council while pumping the brakes on several higher-stakes proposals. Forwarded to the full council were a Special Use Permit for alcohol sales at a large Marietta Street establishment, a Special Use Permit for a personal care home, and a permit for a single-family home construction under Metropolitan River Protection Act rules. On the other end, a proposal to rezone a 13.87-acre industrial site into a large mixed-use development was held for more information, as was a request to allow taller apartment buildings at a site on Bellview Avenue. A proposal for two digital billboards was referred back to committee for further review, meaning that project faces more scrutiny before it can move forward. These deferrals are meaningful for residents — they represent active opportunities to engage before final decisions are made, as items held in committee have not yet been decided.

Atlanta NPU-D

NPU-D's April 28 agenda — note that minutes are not yet posted, so none of these items have confirmed outcomes and any could have been tabled, deferred, or withdrawn — was headlined by a FIFA World Cup Watch Party application for Sarah J. Gonzales Park on June 27, which, if approved, would bring a significant temporary crowd to the Coronet Way area. Also on the agenda was a request for a dramatic parking reduction at a Chattahoochee Avenue property — from 135 required spaces down to just 20 — a change that nearby residents may want to track given potential overflow impacts on surrounding streets. The neighborhood was also scheduled to weigh in on a citywide ordinance that would ban new self-storage facilities within the BeltLine Overlay District, ensuring that land near the trail stays available for more active uses like housing and retail. A resolution of support for the Bolton Road Mural Project, presented by the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, was up for a vote as well. Because no minutes are available yet, the actual outcomes of all agenda items remain unknown.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

Atlanta City Council — Zoning Committee
- 665 Marietta St NW — A Special Use Permit allowing a large non-residential establishment (over 7,500 sq ft) to sell alcohol at this Marietta Street Artery address was forwarded to the full City Council for a final vote.
- 1515 Howell Mill Rd NW — A Special Use Permit request for an outdoor sales area at this West Midtown address remains held in committee with no decision issued.

Atlanta NPU-D
- 2411 Coronet Way NW (Sarah J. Gonzales Park) — A special event application for a FIFA World Cup Watch Party on June 27, 2026 is on the agenda, which would temporarily affect traffic and park access in the Berkeley Park and Underwood Hills areas.
- 1151 Chattahoochee Ave NW — A special exception request to slash required on-site parking from 135 spaces down to just 20 is scheduled to be heard, raising potential concerns about overflow parking on surrounding streets.
- 1115 Howell Mill Rd NW (The Interlock) — Administrative changes to alcohol licenses for Puttshack and F1 Arcade are scheduled to be reviewed; these are agent-of-record updates and do not affect how either business operates.
- 2429 Bolton Rd NW — The Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs is scheduled to present the Bolton Road Mural Project, with NPU-D set to vote on a resolution of support for the public art installation.

Meetings This Week
- Atlanta City Council — Committee on Council — Monday, May 4 at 11:30 AM
The committee is scheduled to consider a resolution requesting certified law enforcement officers at every Atlanta recreation center used as a polling place. Also on the agenda: appointments to the Beltline's Affordable Housing Advisory Board and TAD Advisory Committee, two Budget Commission seats ahead of FY2027 planning, and a proposed City Charter change that would require legislation to carry a named primary sponsor.

- Atlanta City Council — Monday, May 4 at 1:00 PM
The full council will take up a $52.1 million federal FIFA World Cup grant, a proposed temporary suspension of open-container rules in parts of downtown for the June–July tournament window, and the FY2027 budget and tax rate ordinances. Also on the agenda: a text amendment that would ban new self-storage facilities within the Beltline Overlay District, a $1.87 million construction contract for Enota Park, a lease expansion for the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and a new compensation plan for Atlanta Fire Rescue. A Special Use Permit for alcohol sales at 665 Marietta Street NW is scheduled to be heard.

- Atlanta NPU — NPU-E — Tuesday, May 5 at 6:30 PM (Virtual)
This meeting features a proposed update to the Atlanta Beltline Subarea 8 Master Plan, which will guide long-term development and green space planning for surrounding neighborhoods. The NPU will also review a slate of special event applications for Piedmont Park — including Shaky Knees (Sept. 18–20) and ONE Musicfest (Oct. 24–25) — plus new alcohol license requests for restaurants on Spring and Peachtree Streets. A change-of-agent filing for 1115 Howell Mill Road NW (F1 Arcade) and a zoning variance request at 1244 Atlantic Drive NW for an oversized front-yard privacy fence are also on the agenda.

- Atlanta NPU — NPU-C — Tuesday, May 5 at 6:45 PM (Virtual)
NPU-C will consider a special event application for a FIFA World Cup Watch Party at 2411 Coronet Way NW (Sarah J. Gonzales Park) on June 27, along with a city-proposed ordinance to formally adopt the Collier Road Multimodal Study — a long-range plan for traffic, pedestrian, and bike improvements along that corridor. The Beltline self-storage ban (Z-26-20) is also on the agenda, as is a setback variance request at 697 Gladstone Road NW to build closer to the street than current zoning allows.

- Fulton County Board of Commissioners — Wednesday, May 6 at 10:00 AM
The board is scheduled to vote on issuing $165 million in revenue bonds for a student housing project and $75 million for Georgia Tech Athletic Association facilities. Also up for consideration: affordable housing grants for two projects in the English Avenue neighborhood, a five-year wastewater operations contract for North Fulton valued at more than $28 million annually, and a $325 million Tax Anticipation Note issuance to cover county cash flow ahead of property tax collection.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits

- 1380 Atlantic Dr NW — Nordstrom Rack at Atlantic Station is getting a shoe floor refresh. New display shelving going in on the sales floor.
- 950 W Marietta St NW — Two permits filed for what looks like a meaningful facility upgrade: expanded locker rooms with additional showers and toilet stalls, plus new exterior metal sunshade siding on an open-air structure. Someone's investing in this space.
- 1000 Northside Dr NW — Fire sprinkler system being added under a new canopy. Dry system, which typically means an unheated or outdoor-adjacent space — signals a larger construction project wrapping up nearby.
- 2302 Marietta Blvd NW — Selective demolition of existing storage shelving ahead of new shelving installation. Retail reconfiguration underway.
- 1736 DeFoor Ave/Pl NW — A pair of permits covering all-new plumbing and a significant electrical service upgrade (400 to 600 amps). That kind of infrastructure work usually precedes a commercial buildout or change of use — worth watching.
- 1055 Howell Mill Rd NW — Electrical work adding power and ceiling fans to a terrace space. A patio or outdoor area getting finished out.
- 1385 Collier Rd NW — EV chargers going in at this commercial address.

On the residential side, 22 routine permits were filed across the area — mostly HVAC replacements, electrical updates, and minor alterations.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR 3/US 41 Intersection Improvements (Fulton County) — Operational upgrades underway at the busy cluster of Northside Drive, 14th Street, and Hemphill Avenue. Work is simplifying the intersection layout to improve signal timing and flexibility — good news long-term, but expect disruptions near Georgia Tech's western edge in the meantime.
- I-75 Lighting Upgrade, Musket Ridge Drive to I-85 (Fulton County) — Crews are swapping out old high-pressure sodium lights for LED fixtures along this 1.8-mile stretch. Pole and conduit replacements may be part of the scope. Nighttime lane restrictions are likely — keep that in mind if I-75 is part of your evening commute.
- Bridge Preservation at Multiple Locations — Cobb, DeKalb & Fulton Counties — A multi-county bridge maintenance push covering co-polymer overlay, steel beam painting, and joint replacement at seven locations. One site involves Moreland Ave/US 23, and the project spans into Fulton County, so localized lane closures are possible across the broader area.
- Buford Spring Connector Tunnel Lighting Upgrade (Fulton County) — The tunnel at I-85 is getting its lighting converted from HPS to LED. Conduit and wiring work may be included. Watch for intermittent closures or reduced lanes through the connector.
- SR 9 Resurfacing, SR 3 to North of Paces Ferry Road (Fulton County) — Peachtree Road is getting a fresh layer of asphalt to address a low pavement condition score. Expect rolling lane closures along this corridor as paving crews move through.

Pre-Construction

- Marietta Boulevard Corridor (Fulton County) — A scoping study is underway for reconstruction and resurfacing of Marietta Blvd between Coronet Way NW and Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. A separate but related project on the same stretch will add a shared-use path and pedestrian improvements. Two distinct efforts, same corridor — this road is getting a significant overhaul eventually, though timelines aren't set 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. When this moves to construction, expect meaningful disruption along that connector.
- SR 3/US 19 at I-75 (Fulton County) — A lane reconfiguration is planned for the I-75 overpass, reducing it to one northbound lane, two southbound lanes, and a northbound receiving lane. If you use this stretch of Northside Drive near the interstate, this will change how traffic flows.
- Northside Drive Realignment, Marietta St to 8th St (Fulton County) — A new Northside Drive alignment is proposed between south of Marietta Street and 8th Street, with two lanes in each direction and improved intersections. A significant reshape of a heavily-used West Midtown corridor.
- I-75 NB Ramps at Moores Mill Road — Roundabout (Fulton County) — A two-lane roundabout is planned at the I-75 northbound ramps and Moores Mill Road. If you exit here regularly, this will change the interchange geometry considerably once it gets built.

Service Requests

Traffic signal issues dominated this week's reports across the area. Non-emergency signal repairs were flagged at seven intersections, including Ferst Dr & Fowler St (two reports), Northside Dr NW & 11th St NW, Marietta St & Howell Mill Rd, and Marietta St & Northside Dr, among others. The Marietta St & Northside Dr intersection also generated three emergency signal repair requests — making it the week's clear trouble spot — joined by emergency reports at Northside Dr NW & Marietta St NW and 5th St & Fowler St.

Potholes were reported on Bolton Dr & Marietta Blvd (two reports), Marietta Blvd NW & Bolton Dr NW, Anne St NW, Bolton Dr NW, and Hemphill Ave NW. Litter in the right of way was flagged on Anne St NW and 17th St NW, and an overgrowth/visibility issue was reported on La Dawn Ln NW.