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2025 Year in Review: Progress, Partnerships & What’s Ahead

  • Writer: Jimmy Furst
    Jimmy Furst
  • Jan 1
  • 5 min read

As we wrap up an exciting year for the City of Chamblee, I’m proud to share the major accomplishments we’ve achieved together in 2025, along with a look at the important work already underway for 2026. From major investments in parks and public safety to growth in local business support and community engagement, we continue to build a stronger, more vibrant Chamblee.

I'll also note, this is not an exhaustive list of Chamblee's accomplishments. I could write a novel on what we did in 25. This is the majority of what I covered in my last town hall, and if you have any questions, let me know.


Modernizing City Policies

This year, we advanced several ordinances to improve the quality of life and align with community needs, including:

  • Strengthening protections against nuisance commercial properties

  • Expanding where taprooms may operate downtown

  • Allowing grooming salons to offer beer or wine with services

  • Banning transient pet sales to align with state legislation


Transforming Our Parks & Infrastructure

Chamblee continued its commitment to exceptional public spaces:

  • Dresden Park’s $10.8M revitalization is complete with the grand reopening held on December 13, 2025

    The ribbon cutting for Dresden Park
    The ribbon cutting for Dresden Park

  • The $30M Parks Bond is now driving improvements to parks and trails citywide, including:

    • Savoy/Nancy Creek Trail - The City has reached an agreement with Chamblee First United Methodist Church to acquire a key easement for the future Nancy Creek West Trail. This access allows us to move forward with an important connection in our expanding trail network. Thank you to our residents for approving the Parks and Trails Bond, which makes investments like this possible. To learn more about the project, visit the Trail Master Plan on the City’s website.

    • Woodacres Park- dirt will move this year on the is project

    • Huntley Hills Park revitalization

    • Field upgrades and master plan implementation at Keswick Park

  • Village Park enhancements added turf, shade structures, and new pedestrian features

  • N. Peachtree & N. Shallowford roundabout is complete

  • Public Works expansion underway with new workspace, storage, and operations facilities

  • Fish Bolt Park project rebidding to bring a new passive park and stormwater solution to life

Strong Governance & Financial Leadership


Public Safety Focus

Planning & Development Progress

  • Code Enforcement Guide now available in Spanish

  • Welcomed Matt Adams as the new Planning & Development Director

Economic Development & Business Growth

  • Welcomed Ashley Youmans as Economic Development Director and Katie Sears as Business Outreach Coordinator

  • Relaunched Business Retention & Expansion program

  • Hosted networking events and celebrated ribbon cuttings across the city

  • Continued momentum on the Chamlbee's City Center. This transformative mixed-use project is expected to move into construction following closing in 2026. This project was 12 years in the works and is designed to be a new destination for our community to gather, shop, and enjoy the outdoors. Counicl approved the plans in the final counicl meeting of 2025.

    What’s Coming? The project features a 340-unit residential community spread across two modern buildings. More importantly for our local economy and lifestyle, it includes 30,000 square feet of new retail, restaurant, and commercial space across four buildings. This means more local dining and shopping options right here in our backyard.

    Green Space and Connectivity One of the most exciting aspects of this proposal is the commitment to public space and walkability:


    • A New Town Green: A 1-acre public park will serve as a centerpiece for the community.

    • Rail Trail Expansion: The developer will install 12-foot-wide segments of the Rail Trail along Peachtree Road and Ingersoll Rand Drive, making our city more bike- and pedestrian-friendly.

    • Streetscape Improvements: New streetscapes and on-street parallel parking will be added to all frontages to improve the look and feel of our corridors.

    Sustainability and Parking: We are keeping a focus on the future with this project. The buildings are pursuing NGBS Green Building Silver Certification, ensuring they meet high standards for energy efficiency. To manage traffic and density, the site includes a 599-space parking garage that is "wrapped" by the residential building, keeping the parking tucked away and out of sight to maintain our city's aesthetic.

    This development represents a thoughtful blend of housing, commerce, and public recreation, and I can't wait to see this project come out of the ground. The impact on our downtown can't be overstated.


City Center Rendering
City Center Rendering

Parks, Recreation & Arts Highlights

Public Works & Sustainability

Building Community & Celebrating Culture

Looking Ahead to 2026

We are ready to hit the ground running with:

  • Continued investment in parks, including new amenities funded by the Parks Bond

  • Advancing Fish Bolt Park, street paving, and guardrail upgrades

    Fish Bolt Park Rendering
    Fish Bolt Park Rendering

  • Expanded after-school programs at Dresden Park’s new community building

  • Strengthening business community partnerships and exploring a Chamber of Commerce model

  • A review and refresh of the city’s long-term economic development strategy


Chamblee is on the move, and your engagement makes it possible. Thank you for your support, ideas, and partnership throughout 2025.

Here’s to even more progress in 2026!


Please send me your questions, comments, or concerns.

Mobile: 770-901-1121 Stay informed. Stay involved.


The legal stuff: The views expressed represent the views of the author and may not reflect the views of the Chamblee City Council. Comments posted in response to a Councilmember-initiated communication may be subject to public disclosure under the Open Records Act. If you are a resident of Chamblee and would like to discuss city business, please go to chambleega.gov or contact me at the email above.

 
 
 

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