Jimmy's Chamblee Recap - Week of August 25, 2025
- Jimmy Furst
- Aug 26
- 6 min read
Catch up on all things Chamblee!
The Locomotive - One Big Thing:
Bond Sale Update and 2025 General Obligation Bond Resolution (Trails and Parks Bond)
Here is the history of how we arrived here:
In 2023, the City Council began discussing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds.
The Plan of Finance for the potential GO Bonds was explored in the first half of 2024.
In June 2024, the City Council approved a resolution calling for the election to authorize $30 million of General Obligation Bonds.
On November 5, 2024, Chamblee voters were asked to vote on whether to approve bonds to improve its
parks, trails, and outdoor recreational areas.
With an overwhelming 81% of residents voting "yes", the City was granted authorization to issue up to $30 million in general obligation bonds for financing design, acquisition, construction, equipping, and/or improvement of parks, trails, and outdoor recreation areas.
In February 2025, the City Council approved a resolution certifying the election results, which enabled the bonds to be validated in the court system.
Moody's affirmed our ratings at Aa2 ranking, and the S&P at an AA+ rating.
The bid results were HIGHLY competitive. FHN Financial was the winning bidder at 4.0112% and the top bids were all within 1 basis point of each other.
The bonds will close on September 4.
Council APPROVED the 2025 General GO Bond resolution.
This is fantastic news, and we couldn’t have asked for a better outcome with this rating! So, what does it mean? First, it confirms that our city is in strong financial health. Second, it means real dollars are on the way to fund the park projects we’ve planned, with construction beginning in 2026! Stay tuned for a big announcement soon, where we’ll share which parks are getting upgrades, how the Rail Trail will expand, and timelines on the projects.
Left the Station - This Past Week's Events:
August 15: Chamblee's Birthday Celebration, A Celebration Through Time Honoring Chamblee's Past, Present, and Future
Our Communications Department put together this amazing video capturing the spirit of the event, celebrating our birthday and commemorating our namesake, Wylie Chamblee.
August 15: Rail Trail Reopened!
Drainage Improvements on the Chamblee Rail Trail at the Peachtree Boulevard Overpass will be completed ahead of schedule. The trail was reopened on August 14, and below are pictures of the improvements.
August 14 & 19: City Council August Regular Meeting
My recap is up and can be read by clicking HERE!
August 21: Chamblee High School Art Exhibition
The City of Chamblee hosted an art exhibition and reception at City Hall featuring the remarkable portraiture of Chamblee High School's talented students. Through art, attendees were able to see the world through their eyes.
You too can witness the skill and imagination of Chamblee High School's finest portrait artists in the lobby of Chamblee City Hall. It was an honor to celebrate these talented artists! We have more space to fill at City Hall, and I'm excited to see what the CHS students do next!
August 22: Great Southeast Pollinator Census
Our community joined in on the Great Southeast Pollinator Census! From caterpillars to fluttering butterflies, we captured some amazing moments while tracking the pollinators behind Old City Hall that keep our world blooming!
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped shine a spotlight on these vital little creatures!
August 23: Household Hazardous Waste Drive
Proud to have been part of making Chamblee a little greener! This weekend at the Chamblee Hazardous Waste Event, we teamed up with CHaRM and Keep Chamblee Beautiful to keep hard-to-recycle materials out of our landfill, helping cut down on harmful emissions and protect our environment for the future.
At the Station - Ongoing Events in Chamblee:
Dresden Park Update
There’s been a lot of exciting progress at Dresden Park! Here’s the latest:
The entrance sign is complete
Concrete on the playground hillside is finished
Field netting is complete
Tennis courts are complete
Brickwork on the exterior of the building is done
Landscaping in the ponds and around the fields is underway
Practice field base layer is complete
Seat wall concrete is being poured
The large playground structure is under construction
The concession stand awning is being built
Dresden Park is really taking shape, and we’re getting closer each week to seeing the community enjoy these new amenities.
Planning and Development FAQ
Want answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding permitting, inspections, and planning & zoning? We've designed an FAQ webpage with everything you need to know! Click HERE to read the FAQ.
August E-Signal
Read this month's E-Signal by clicking here.
July/August Signal
The July/August Signal is here! Check out the latest edition with lots of news, accomplishments, and events! You can read it HERE.
Peachtree Boulevard Water Transmission Main Replacement Project
Efforts to improve water service capacity throughout DeKalb County will continue in July with the launch of the Peachtree Boulevard Water Transmission Main Replacement Project. Crews will replace approximately 11,000 linear feet of an existing 30-inch carbon steel main with a 36-inch Ductile Iron main. Crews will also remove the 8-inch and 6-inch pipes running alongside the 30-inch and replace them with a 12-inch pipe.
The project timeline is three years. Work will begin on Malone Drive, the southern end of the project. Crews will then move to the northbound lane of Peachtree Boulevard and continue north until completion at Carver Drive.
For questions about the project, call the DeKalb Watershed Project Information line at 1-800-986-1108 or email projectinfo@dekalbcountyga.gov. For 24-hour emergencies, please call: 770.270.6243
For more information, click here.
New Rail Trail Segment
Construction is underway on the new Keswick Park Trail Spur, which connects the softball field to Sexton Woods Drive. The project is expected to be completed this August, though the weather may impact the schedule.
The video below was taken on August 12.
Arriving Soon - Upcoming Events in Chamblee:
August 27: Chamble PD Citizens Advisory Council
August 28: Public Arts Commission Meeting
This month's PAC meeting will take place at 6:00 PM at City Hall. You can find the agenda HERE.
Aug 29: Jimmy's Office Hours
My office hours are back! See you at City Hall this Friday to discuss all things Chamblee. Note: I have an appointment for the first hour and will be available the rest of the day, starting at 11:30.
September 4: Coffee With the City Manager
September 20: Chamblee Chalk Walk Join us for our annual Chalk Walk & Artist Market - a fun, family-friendly event where sidewalks become masterpieces and creativity knows no bounds! Whether you're a seasoned artist or just love doodling, there's space for everyone to show off their chalk art skills. Interested in becoming a vendor, volunteer, or attending our annual Chalk Walk & Artist Market? Click here for more information.
September 27: Third Spot Gameday!
October 12: Atlanta Pride Parade
Join us as we participate in the 55th anniversary of the Atlanta Pride Parade on Sunday, October 12, 2025!
If you'd like to march with your elected officials, city staff, and the Chamblee community, please complete the form. The sign-up deadline is September 12th, and space is limited to the first 100 participants. https://bit.ly/chambleepride2025
We're happy to announce that we will be adding a FLOAT to our parade group!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Josh Duarte at jduarte@chambleega.gov or 470-568-5578.
October 18: Taste of Chamblee Returns!
November 4: Chamblee Municipal Elections
Putting Transparency & Communication First in Chamblee
One of my top priorities as your Councilmember is making sure City Hall is open, transparent, and accessible. Too often, residents feel left out of the process, and I’ve worked hard to change that by creating more ways for you to stay informed and engaged.
Staying Connected
I share regular updates on Facebook, Instagram, NextDoor, and LinkedIn so you can get news where it’s most convenient for you.
Weekly Newsletter
Every week, I send out "Jimmy’s Chamblee Recap", a quick roundup of what happened in the city and what’s ahead. It’s an easy way to stay in the loop.
Town Halls & Office Hours
I host town halls twice a year for open discussion, and every Friday from 10:30 AM–5:00 PM, I hold office hours at City Hall. No appointment needed, just stop by and say hello.
Always Accessible
I do my best to attend neighborhood meetings, HOA gatherings, and community events so I can answer questions and share updates directly with you. My email and phone number are always available on my website, and I make it a priority to respond when you reach out.
Transparency only works when leaders listen and make themselves available. I believe in a City Council that you can reach directly, where your voice helps shape the future of Chamblee.
Thank you for trusting me to serve. You’ll always know where to find me.
— Jimmy
The Passenger Car
Chamblee highlights in the media.
Decaturish: DeKalb County to discuss adding police LGBTQ+ liaison
Chabmlee is leading the way!
Fox 5: Water restored after major water main break on Clairmont Road
WAGU: Chamblee police, metro Atlanta organization distribute food to more than 60 families
WSB-TV: Chamblee Police Department building its own real-time crime center
The Caboose
I would love to hear your questions, comments, or concerns.
Email: Jfurst@chambleega.gov
Mobile: 770-901-1121 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.
Comments