Jimmy's Chamblee Recap - Week of July 21, 2025

Catch up on all things Chamblee!

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The Locomotive - One Big Thing:

Permits and Licenses in Chamblee

Did you know? By design, Chamblee’s city charter prohibits elected officials from participating in administrative decisions, including the approval, denial, or revocation of permits and licenses. This important safeguard helps keep the process fair, consistent, and free from political influence.

Elected officials don't have a say in whether a permit or license is approved, denied, or revoked, nor should we. We typically have minimal visibility into most of these decisions. For perspective, Chamblee processes approximately 3,000 business licenses each year, and very few, if any, reach Council. The ones that do are for awareness only.

Allowing political involvement in these matters would not only be an ethical violation, but could also result in removal from office. The system is designed this way to ensure that all businesses and individuals are treated fairly and within the bounds of our code.

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Left the Station - This Past Week's Events:

July 12: New Business Alerts - Ribbon Cutting x2! ✂

I had the privilege of attending not one, but two ribbon cuttings as we welcomed new chapters for two great businesses in Chamblee!

First up: Empire Package is under new ownership! Located at 5420 Peachtree Blvd, this local gem is your go-to destination for fine wines, craft spirits, and everything in between. Whether you're stocking up for a celebration or just looking to try something new, Empire Package has you covered. Say cheers to the newest owners in the Chamblee community!

Next door to the original, we celebrated the grand opening of Sautre Chiropractic’s second location. This joyful and emotional day was filled with longtime patients, friends, family, and Chamblee officials, all coming together to mark this exciting milestone. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Serge Sautre continues to lead with compassion and a deep commitment to wellness. For more than a decade, Sautre Chiropractic has provided high-quality care to our community—and now, their growth continues with a fully equipped, state-of-the-art clinic that includes specialized chiropractic services for children, from newborns to teens. Learn more about Dr. Sautre's practice by clicking HERE.

It’s inspiring to see businesses grow and thrive here in Chamblee. Please join me in supporting these local leaders and their next chapters!

July 15: City Council Public Regular Meetings

My recap is up and you can read it HERE!

July 19: Monthly Electronic and Metal Recycling

Missed it? No worries! This is a monthly event! It takes place on the third Sataurday of every month at Public Works.

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At the Station - Ongoing Events in Chamblee:

Peachtree Road Storm Line Replacement project

The Peachtree Road Storm Line Replacement project began on Monday, July 21. Work is planned on Peachtree Road west of the intersection with Broad Street.

The project is estimated to take approximately 2 weeks and end by August 4th. Access to local businesses and City Hall is not expected to be impacted.

All lanes will be closed on Peachtree Road for the duration of this project while City contractors replace a damaged storm sewer underneath Peachtree Road. Follow the detour for more information. MARTA Bus Route 132 will be detoured for the project, and you can find the route here: https://itsmarta.com/bus-reroutes.aspx

Dresden Park Updates

Dresden Park construction continues, and it's expected to reopen in October. Note: The rain pushed the project from September. The revitalized park will feature artificially turfed-rectangular fields and a multi-use field, tennis courts, a dog park, a large playground, a walking trail, a new concessions building, restrooms, a community center, a pavilion, a parking lot, lighting, and terraced seating. This project was made possible through $ 10.8 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, as well as SPLOST dollars, to provide for the community building.

Latest updates:

• Base layer surfacing for the practice field is being installed.

• Tennis Court fencing and lighting have been installed.

• The trail was being poured on the north side of the fields.

• Sod was being installed around the tennis courts and near the dog park.

• Building was being prepped for brick install, metal roofing had been started, and straps for HVAC piping were going up.

• Additional playground pieces were installed.

• Over the next two weeks, landscaping (sod, plants, bushes, and trees) will be installed, roofing will continue to go up, and brick will begin on the building. Concrete trails and staircases will continue to be built, and work on the tennis courts and practice field will continue to move forward!

 Note: The rain pushed the project from September.

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 more information, click here.

New Rail Trail Segment

The Keswick Park Trail Spur, which will extend from the Keswick softball field to Sexton Woods Drive, is expected to be completed by August. The photo below was taken on July 14, and I’ll be sharing weekly updates so residents can track progress. Please note that weather conditions may affect the timeline.

Safety railing has been installed!

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Arriving Soon - Upcoming Events in Chamblee:

July 25: Jimmy's Office Hours

My office hours are back! See you at City Hall this Friday to discuss all things Chamblee. Note: I take a lunch break from noon to one.

July 24: Public Arts Commission Meeting

The PAC will hold its July meeting at City Hall at 6 PM.

August 1: Chamblee Summer Concert Series Finale

Our season finale is on Friday, August 1. Join us for a high-energy show by Uptown Funk: A Tribute to Bruno Mars! Enjoy an evening of dancing and community spirit as we say goodbye to summer in style.

Don’t miss out on the hottest free summer concert series in town! The concerts start at 6:30 p.m. on the greenspace of Chamblee City Hall, 3518 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341. Join family, friends, and neighbors for an unforgettable summer of music, laughter, food, and fun! VIP tables and sponsorships are available by contacting Katie Sears at ksears@chambleega.gov or by visiting www.chambleerocks.net

August 5: National Night Out

August 5: Household Hazardous Waste Drive

September 20: Household Hazardous Waste Drive 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.

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.

November 4: Chamblee Municipal Elections

In case you missed it, I announced my candidacy for re-election to the Chamblee City Council At-Large Seat! Serving our vibrant community since January 2022 has been an honor, and I am eager to continue working together to build a sustainable and prosperous future for Chamblee. My commitment to these core issues remains steadfast. I will continue to:

• Advocate for sustainable development along with right-sized growth that aligns with our community's values.

• Implement innovative environmental policies to combat climate change locally.

• Enhance the quality of life by focusing on infrastructure, parks, and community engagement.

I will continue to work hard for you, and I hope I have earned your support!

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The Passenger Car

Introducing the Passenger Car, which will highlight Chamblee in the media.

• From The Atlanta Business Chronicle: Affordable housing project moving forward in Chamblee

• From What Now Atlanta: Hammer & Nails Grooming Bringing New Location To Chamblee

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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.