24 stories · Inside The Perimeter, Atlanta
The Georgia General Assembly passed a local bill requiring voter approval for City Schools of Decatur bonds over $20 million. A referendum on the ECLC expansion will be on the fall ballot.
The Decatur Development Authority is selling 252 S. Columbia Dr. to Woda Cooper Development. The site will become workforce housing, adding to the city's limited affordable stock.
The Decatur Development Authority is selling 252 S. Columbia Dr. to Woda Cooper Development, with plans to build a workforce housing project on the site.
The Druid Hills private school for gifted and exceptional students announced it will shut its doors on April 3, leaving families scrambling just weeks before the end of the school year.
The Decatur-area barbecue spot has huge smokers constantly billowing aromatic smoke. The results are uneven, but worth a stop for fans of wood-smoked meat.
County and state lawmakers from five metro counties call the Republican-backed measure an unconstitutional power grab targeting Democratic strongholds.
The new 65-seat restaurant on the Decatur square offers dishes inspired by chef Palash Kadam's travels, from brussel sprout bhel to jackfruit carnitas tacos. Co-owners want it to be a modern gathering place for lingering over shared tastes.
DeKalb County saw thousands march in Tucker and Decatur. In Macon, the rally ended when the sheriff tried to address concerns about ICE cooperation and protesters refused to let him speak.
The county's Digital Shield initiative has led to arrests since late 2025. The most recent case involved over 300 tires dumped at a church on Glenfair Road.
The airline chief marks 10 years leading Delta and nearly 30 years with the company. He'll receive an honorary doctorate at the May 11 ceremony and address the Class of 2026.
Protesters filled the streets from the Memorial Drive Greenway to the State Capitol on Saturday, joining nationwide demonstrations. Senator Raphael Warnock urged the crowd to stand up for democracy.
The legislation targets district attorneys, commissioners, and clerks in Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, and Clayton counties. DA Fani Willis called it "blatantly unconstitutional."
The Head and the Heart, Natasha Bedingfield, and Soul Asylum headline the free two-day festival at Blackburn Park. About 60,000 people are expected.
The 3-2 vote blocks a public referendum on a $23 million bond for a new early learning center. Parents say the public should have a voice on a project this large.
The bookstore will take over a 14,000-square-foot space in the shopping center formerly occupied by Westside Market. It's one of 60 new stores the chain plans to open this year.
The Head and the Heart, Soul Asylum, and Natasha Bedingfield headline the free two-day festival at Blackburn Park. An estimated 60,000 people are expected.
The city is planning Decatur WatchFest'26, a 34-day festival during the FIFA World Cup this summer. An economic impact study projects big returns.
Hundreds of frustrated parents packed a feedback session on the district's controversial Student Assignment Project. Parents from Oak Grove and Evansdale protested outside with signs.
The Cottages at Midway is launching next week with 18 standalone houses built around shared courtyards and green space. It's an attempt to create more accessible single-family housing near downtown Decatur, where median home values have climbed past $700k. The pocket neighborhood approach is exactly what we need more of in high-demand areas.
Robert Montwaid, the guy behind New York's famous Gansevoort Market, is bringing his third Atlanta food hall concept to the new Vela Park development near East Lake Golf Club. The multi-concept destination opens mid-April with six different chef-driven concepts, craft cocktails, and roomy outdoor dining.
The long-awaited transformation of West Howard Avenue from a high-speed drag strip into a people-friendly Complete Street is almost finished. The project includes a two-way cycle track with concrete barriers, new sidewalks, and traffic calming measures between downtown Decatur and East Lake MARTA station. It's been nearly a decade in the making.
The Decatur City Commission will take up the question of replacing the WatchFest mural during their regular meeting Monday night at City Hall. The mural discussion comes as part of ongoing conversations about public art and community representation in the downtown square area.
A 44,639-square-foot campus in Decatur opened Friday to train students in welding, HVAC, and electrical trades. The school aims to address the nearly 400,000 unfilled skilled trade jobs across the U.S., a number projected to hit 2 million by 2033. The campus is part of StrataTech Education Group's expansion into high-demand workforce markets.
A major new trade school just opened in Decatur with 44,639 square feet dedicated to training welders, HVAC technicians, and electricians. Tulsa Welding School is trying to fill the massive skills gap, with 400,000 unfilled trade jobs nationwide expected to hit 2 million by 2033. The timing couldn't be better for people looking for stable, well-paying careers.
Decatur is technically its own city, not an Atlanta neighborhood, but nobody cares about that distinction in daily life. It sits just east of Atlanta along the MARTA rail line, centered around the charming Decatur Square with its old courthouse, independent shops, and restaurants. Decatur has long had a reputation as a progressive, walkable, food-obsessed small city, and that reputation is well earned. If you want to live ITP-adjacent without dealing with Atlanta city government, Decatur is the move.
The food scene in Decatur is genuinely one of the best in the metro area. Leon's Full Service is a cocktail bar and kitchen that consistently ranks among Atlanta's best. The Brick Store Pub has one of the most impressive beer selections in the Southeast. Kimball House does oysters and cocktails in a converted train depot. Chai Pani brings Asheville's beloved Indian street food concept to the square. You also have Butter & Cream, Revival, Iberian Pig, and a deep bench of independent restaurants that would be the pride of most cities. The annual Decatur Book Festival is one of the largest in the country.
Housing in Decatur ranges from downtown condos and apartments within walking distance of the square to single-family homes in surrounding neighborhoods like Oakhurst, Winnona Park, and MAK Historic District. The City of Decatur school system is its own district (separate from DeKalb County schools) and is a major draw for families. MARTA's Decatur station puts you on the rail line with direct access to Midtown, Downtown, and the airport. The vibe is bookish, foodie, community-minded, and a little smug about all of it.