The Midtown Development Review Committee (DRC) reviewed a proposal to expand Lutheran Tower at its Dec. 9 meeting.

The existing 15-story Lutheran Tower, at the southeast corner of Juniper and 4th streets, would expand eastward toward Piedmont Avenue, according to a recap of the meeting from Midtown Alliance.

The design includes 172 new senior living units arranged in two offset wings that frame a raised central amenity terrace.

The approximately 92,900-square-foot expansion will step down in height from eight to five stories as it approaches 730 Piedmont Ave., a long-standing residence that will be adaptively reused. The existing two-story parking deck, accessible from 4th Street, will be expanded from 66 spaces to 102 spaces and will receive façade improvements. Back-of-house service areas will be upgraded while maintaining access via the lower-level entrance along 4th.

The committee raised several concerns, including: ensuring all architectural plans are cohesive and unified; preserving the visual character of the residence along Piedmont Avenue; improving the streetscape, building facades, and pedestrian access along 4th, reconfiguring the existing driveway on Juniper, and providing a green buffer southward. Detailed recommendations are detailed below:

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DeKalb Commissioner Ted Terry held a town hall meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to discuss a recently approved $45 million hangar expansion at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), giving residents a chance to air their thoughts about the decision.  

Held at Brookhaven City Centre, Terry reviewed the process that led the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners to approve Sky Harbour’s plan to build out eight hangars on the east side of PDK to hold 16 corporate jets under a 50-year ground lease. Sky Harbour was the only applicant to a request for proposal (RFP) issued by the county in 2023. 

The county is following the PDK 2040 master plan, which calls for expansion. Residents have expressed their concerns about an increase in noise and environmental pollution.

The county estimates the contract over a 50-year period could bring in $576,607,163 in revenue: $211 million of which would go to DeKalb County, $230 million to DeKalb school system, and $67 million to the City of Chamblee.

As of now, the Sky Harbour contract is still being hammered out by DeKalb’s Chief Procurement Officer Michelle Butler. Terry said the contract has not been made available to the commissioners, and he will make the details public as soon as he receives them. 

“It’s very important to know what we’ve negotiated,” Terry said. 

Larry Foster, a 48-year resident of unincorporated DeKalb County, said PDK is already the least safe airport in the country in terms of runway incursions. At 103 runway incursions, PDK is about seven times higher than other airports, Foster claimed.  

“Approving the Sky Harbour contract will constitute the second-most damaging decision in the history of PDK Airport that impacts the health and wellbeing of the estimated one-tenth of DeKalb County’s residents who live within the approximately three to four mile radius of the airport,” Foster said. 

Sky Harbour claims the number of repositioning flights will drop by 50 percent, therefore reducing noise and pollution. The company will report its findings quarterly to DeKalb.

“I want to know what happens when they fail the 50 percent reduction compliance test,” unincorporated DeKalb County resident Beth Schissel said. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines PDK as a general aviation airport, allowing a high volume of corporate/general aviation jet traffic, 10 flight schools, a robust helicopter community, and helicopter flight instruction.  

Brookhaven resident Anna Martin said she’s spoken to all of her neighbors, and “no one wants more planes coming through.”

“So here we have a new hangar being built for rich, pompous CEO jerks to fly in because they don’t like to fly commercial. That’s the truth of it,” Martin said. “I’m wondering if my husband and I might have to move.”

Terry is proposing to the DeKalb commissioners a moratorium on all new hangar development until the PDK master plan is updated, and an FAA ban on night flights except for emergencies. 

The PDK voluntary curfew encourages pilots to refrain from taking off or landing between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., yet Terry said one of his constituents emails him daily because she has been awakened by an airplane. 

“How do we reduce night flights? Can we ban them? Can we take that voluntary curfew and turn it into a permission structure where they have to get permission to fly at night?” Terry asked. 

Terry encouraged participants to attend the Airport Advisory Board meetings and report noise violations. A general grumbling came from the audience. 

Foster said the reason people aren’t calling in noise complaints is because “they know that it’s useless.” A woman in the audience shouted: “It’s a farce.”

Between the airport and the county, there are no ongoing annual general fund contributions to an environmental health and noise impact fund, Terry said. However, once Sky Harbour is up and running, the county will set aside $1 million dollars each year for residents who are experiencing high decibel levels of noise, he said.

Jamie Dutro served on the Citizens Advisory Committee for the PDK master plan. 

“We got sold down the river. We’re the ones who are going to suffer for it. What good is it that you get cancer, but the county’s going to pay for it?” Dutro said. 

The post Residents say they were ‘sold down the river’ over PDK airport expansion appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

A not-for-profit senior living community in the heart of Buckhead has been named one of the best in the country.

Lenbrook placed 24th on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities 2026, making it Georgia’s the highest ranked facility.

Newsweek partnered with global data research firm Statista to evaluate life plan communities across the United States based on four data sources: a national online survey of medical professionals, management/administration staff and acquaintances/residents, visitor satisfaction scores, accreditation scores and Google Reviews scores.

President and CEO of Lenbrook, Chris Keysor, says they’re honoured to have been so highly ranked.

“Excellence is something our entire Lenbrook team strives for every day, and these rankings reflect the care, pride, and dedication of our purpose-driven community,” said Keysor in a news release.

Founded in 1983, Lenbrook has different living options for every stage of a senior’s health journey all on one campus, ranging from smaller, one bedroom to expansive two-bedroom with den and penthouse residences, along with a wide variety of amenities.

The post Georgia’s top-ranked senior living community is in Buckhead appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Atlanta Ballet’s The Nutcracker
The classic holiday ballet pirouettes into the Cobb Energy Centre Dec. 6-27 accompanied by larger-than-life sets and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score.

Merry Mighty Mo and More!
The Fox Theatre is hosting this free event presented by Georgia Natural Gas and sponsored by Regions Bank on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. There will be complimentary photos with Santa Claus, sing-alongs with the “Mighty Mo” organ and a performance by the a cappella quartet Like The Dickens, followed by a special screening of Disney’s “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.” Guests are encouraged to “Bring Your Socks to the Fox” by donating new socks for individuals and families served through City of Refuge.  

Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes
The annual holiday tour of homes is Saturday, Dec. 13, from 6 to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14, from 5 to 9 p.m. will feature 10 homes plus an artist market. Tickets are $30 online until Dec. 12 or $35 on the days of the tour. All proceeds benefit St. Paul United Methodist Church, Grant Park Cooperative Preschool, and the Grant Park Parents Network.

 Voices of Note Holiday Concerts
The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus will hold its “Home for the Holidays” concert on Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Rd NW. The Atlanta Women’s Chorus will hold its “Seasons of Light” concert on Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Church at Ponce and Highland, 1085 Ponce De Leon Ave NE.

Atlanta Shakespeare Company’s A Christmas Carol
ASC presents Charles Dickens’ classic Dec. 6-23 (previews Dec. 4-5) at the Shakespeare Tavern in Midtown.

Christmas Carol Concert
Spelman and Morehouse Colleges will once again come alive with music, joy, and unity as the colleges present the 99th Annual Christmas Carol Concert. The three-night concert series, free and open to the public, begins on Friday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at Morehouse College’s Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel. It will continue at Spelman College’s Sisters Chapel on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. and will culminate with a final performance at Morehouse on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 6:00 p.m. Doors will open an hour before each Morehouse performance and 45 minutes before the Spelman performance. All concerts will be livestreamed on the YouTube channels of both institutions. 

Madeline’s Christmas 
The beloved children’s play returns to Horizon Theatre Dec. 6–31 with 24 talented local girls performing alongside professional actors on a whimsical, Parisian-inspired set—bringing Madeline and her classmates to life in a way that’s both magical and memorable.

Y’allmark
Atlanta playwright Topher Payne draws on his experience writing holiday movies for the Hallmark Channel to create this stage play, featuring some of the same beloved tropes, plus star turns by Amber Nash and Kevin Gillese. Dec. 11-28 at 7 Stages in Little Five Points.

Ponce City Market
The Old Fourth Ward shopping and dining destination is pulling out all the stops for the holidays with Santa’s Village on Saturdays through Dec. 20, ice skating on The Roof through Feb. 15, Holiday Social Bar on The Roof through Jan. 4, The Village Retail’s Makers Market through Dec. 20, and the Festival of Lights Menorah Lighting on Dec. 21 with Chabad Intown. See a full list of events at the link above.

Virginia-Highland Winterfest and Tour of Homes
Bring the family on Dec. 13 for a day of fun with the 5k Jingle Jog, a classic Holiday Parade, Kids Corner, a local Gift Market, and a Tour of Homes (Dec. 13-14) featuring some of VA-Hi’s most beautiful homes decked out for the season.

Frozen Chanukah
Mitzvah House will hold its annual family-friendly menorah lighting, holiday music, and winter wonderland activities on Dec. 14 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Ashford Lane in Dunwoody.

But, Is There Wine: Holiday Pop Off

On Dec. 12 at Buckhead Art & Company, experience a holiday event like no other centered around R&B vibes and – what else? – wine! There will be live music, a hands-on DJ activation, wine tastings, and more. Plus, there will be a chance to win a five-day trip to Barbados. Tickets start at $24.81.

William Close & The Earth Harp Collective
SCADshow will host this special event on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. The body of the Earth Harp rests on the stage while its strings extend over the audience, reaching up to 1,000 feet in length and attaching to the back of the venue. Each performance transforms the space itself into a resonant musical instrument, immersing the audience inside the sound.

“The Wizard of Oz: The Musical” from City Springs Theatre Company
Tony Award recipient Baayork Lee is directing “The Wizard of Oz” at the Byers Theatre in City Springs. This production follows Dorothy (Elizabeth Hall) over the rainbow as she travels to Oz, follows the yellow brick road, and meets the Wizard himself. This production is suitable for all ages and runs from Dec. 12-28.

Mamma Dearest: Here We Joan Again!
Out Front Theatre will stage the world premiere of Blake Fountain’s mashup of “Mamma Mia” and “Mommie Dearest” Dec. 11-21 as Christina Crawford sets out to find her birthmother (Bette Davis? Judy Garland? Eartha Kitt?) over a holiday dinner meltdown. Fasten your seatbelts and hide the axes!

Christmas with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra 
The ASO will host the “Deck the Halls” family concert (Dec. 7), Christmas with Trisha Yearwood (Dec. 10), Christmas with the ASO (Dec. 11-14), a holiday concert with Sarah Brightman (Dec. 17), Handel’s Messiah (Dec. 18-19), the Celtic Women Christmas Tour (Dec. 20-21), Sounds of the Season (Dec. 23), and A Drag Queen Christmas (Dec. 26).

ONGOING

• Cirque du Soleil: Luzia at Atlantic Station through Jan. 25.
• Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden through Jan. 11.
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Center for Puppetry Arts through Dec. 28.
• A Christmas Carol at Alliance Theatre through Dec. 24.
• Illuminights at Zoo Atlanta through Jan. 16.
• WildWoods AGLOW at Fernbank Museum through Feb. 28.
• Atlanta Christkindl Market in Lawrenceville through Dec. 24.
• Callanwolde’s Winter House through Dec. 14.

The post Holiday Guide: Make merry around metro Atlanta with these festive events appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Michael Andrews, an attorney who works in Midtown, leaves his office between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. every night. He zigzags his way across Midtown, down Peachtree Street to 8th Street trying to work around roads that are blocked by safe street construction. 

“I avoid Juniper Street at all costs,” Andrews said.  

Six transportation projects are currently under construction in Midtown, including building bike lanes on three parallel streets: Spring, Juniper, and Piedmont. Five more street projects are in the planning stages. While the city’s goal is to increase pedestrian safety, bike lanes, and green space, critics say the construction is congesting streets and affecting access to businesses. Car-free advocates are patiently awaiting the improvements. 

Prioritizing pedestrian, cycling safety

Midtown is one of the fastest growing urban centers with 65 buildings delivered in the last 10 years across the 1.2 square-mile district. Home to world-class arts and culture events, restaurants, and historic sites, Midtown is the hub of Atlanta. 

Biking advocate Eric Phillips, a resident of Reynoldstown, has been spending more time and money in Midtown lately, exploring the city by bike, making pit stops at local restaurants along the way.

“Midtown has never been more accessible by bike, and I am looking forward to the projects being delivered,” Phillips said. “It is imperative we provide safe, reliable, and continuous bike infrastructure connecting Midtown and Downtown to all quadrants of the city, such as to the Beltline and beyond.”

Phillips has been monitoring and engaging with the City of Atlanta’s transportation and land use departments for about 15 years. His job as a director of data, analytics, and AI – with a background in geospatial analysis and support of construction management – gives Phillips a unique perspective on the projects to deprioritize vehicles in Midtown.

Improvements will allow for kids, families, and constituents to be able to access various key destinations around the city without relying on owning a vehicle, parent availability, or financial commitment, Phillips said. 

Reid Davis typically rides 100 to 150 miles per week – miles he said would be otherwise spent in a car. Recalling past rides on Juniper Street, Davis said he “constantly needed to switch lanes due to construction or parked cars, and it felt quite dangerous.” Davis is looking forward to a consistent, safe route running north to south. 

“When I’m driving, I always remember that I’m not just in traffic, I am traffic. And I hate being part of the problem,” Davis said. “People who live [in Midtown] should come first. By Atlanta standards, they are pretty well served by walkability and transit with three MARTA rail stations, and we are getting there with cycling.”

Laid end-to-end, Midtown has over 70 miles of travel lanes for vehicles. A High Injury Network map reveals that over a period of three to five years, about 73 percent of fatal and serious injury crashes have occurred on fewer than 10 percent of the surface streets in the city of Atlanta. There were 100 traffic fatalities in 2021, the city’s highest number in a decade. 

In 2020, the Atlanta Department of Transportation passed an ordinance to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries through safer street design and speed management. The Vision Zero Atlanta plan echoes what Atlantans want. According to a survey rolled out by Midtown Alliance every three years, 98 percent of respondents believe investment in walkability should be a priority. The survey clocked the same response in 2022.

Infrastructure challenges

Midtown Alliance President Kevin Green said the organization, in coordination with the city, is “working to achieve an exceptional urban experience for people who live here, work here, visit here, and go to school here.”

Approved and conceptualized a decade ago, construction is “below pace for comparable projects per mile, and we need to increase delivery speeds,” Phillips said. 

​​Involved in the complicated project is Atlanta Regional Commission, Midtown Alliance, Midtown Improvement District, Atlanta Department of Transportation, and local and federal funding sources.

Each project involves digging into city streets, and that means lots of unknowns: unmapped water and sewer utility lines dating back a century, as well as prior street excavations by numerous entities that weren’t properly fixed before being covered with blacktop. Uncovering blocks of 100-year-old trolley tracks in Midtown required federal and state processes and historic documentation before being extracted, according to Green. 

Other utility providers are trying to work in the same project locations, like the Department of Watershed Management and fiber broadband infrastructure providers. It’s simply taking too long, critics say. 

Juniper Street is a one-way, south-bound street leading traffic out of Midtown from 14th Street to Ponce de Leon Avenue. Due to be completed in December, the Juniper Complete Street Project has been in the works since 2010. Construction started in 2023. 

Juniper is getting a buffered cycle track, sidewalk, and streetscape improvements, ADA compliant crosswalks, landscaping, and dedicated on‐street parking. 

One block east, Piedmont Road is being resurfaced, adding sidewalk and curb improvements, a protected bicycle lane, and landscaping from Ponce De Leon Avenue to 15th Street. 

West of Juniper is Spring Street, where the formerly four-lane thoroughfare is down to one lane for bikes, two lanes for cars, and one lane for parking. 

Projects in the design and engineering stage include 3rd Street multimodal enhancements, building an 11th Street parklet, a green space on 14th Street, and the 15th Street extension.

Ongoing construction and traffic congestion

A tenant at Colony Square for nearly a decade, K5 Hospitality Group CEO Ayman Kamel has seen the first mixed-use development in the southeast transform from an outdated commercial building to a bustling destination in the heart of Midtown.

On a neighborhood social media page, Midtown Alliance posted: “The projects were not intended to overlap. Juniper should have been completed years ago. But we ran into myriad challenges over time. Everything from staff turnover at the city during the permitting process to delays with procurement. Federal oversight requirements tied to funding.” 

Kamel has been loudly protesting the city’s management of the projects through social media. 

“We always make jokes about Atlanta traffic, but it has become excessive lately,” Kamel said. “In the last four or five months, [traffic] has become just unbearable.” 

Kamel contends that his Midtown restaurant 5Church has lost business due to ongoing street construction. 

“We went through so many painful moments since we opened in 2017. Colony Square announced a major revamp. And there was a time back in 2018 and 2019 when if you wanted to get to the restaurant, you’d have to walk on a plywood pathway. When construction finished, boom, we got hit with COVID in 2020,” Kamel said.

Kamel, who said Colony Square parking remains an issue, describes the changes at the property as something he “survived.” He claims that 5Church patrons have told him that traffic is impeding their route to the restaurant. They cancel, take food to go, or shorten their dining experience at the restaurant to make it on time to a show or concert. 

Kamel said he’s seen a five to seven percent drop in reservations. 

“I’m seeing it directly in the bottom line and the cover count [the number of guests served per shift]. I’m directly seeing it from our guests’ feedback and the reviews as well,” Kamel said. 

Midtown Alliance met with Kamel, who started a petition “in solidarity with hundreds of workers, tens of thousands of guests, and dozens of neighboring businesses who are now directly suffering financial loss because Midtown has become functionally inaccessible due to overlapping lane closures, uncoordinated construction, and traffic gridlock.” As of publication, fewer than 200 people have signed the petition. 

Rough Draft reached out to several Midtown restaurants for comment. None were willing to speak on the record, fearing backlash. 

Midtown Alliance maintains that the street grid offers many alternate routes to avoid lane closures for work that extends after 4 p.m. The neighborhood organization recommends reading about project updates on social media, the website, and regularly published newsletters. 

Phillips maintains a map of all existing, under construction, funded, and proposed bike-friendly infrastructure. “It is imperative we provide safe, reliable, and continuous bike infrastructure connecting Midtown and Downtown to all quadrants of the city, such as to the Beltline and beyond,” he said.

Juniper Street and Spring Street projects are estimated to be complete by late 2025.

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