The Chamblee Brief - August 24, 2026
- Jimmy Furst
- Aug 26
- 7 min read
By Jimmy Furst
Stay informed. Stay involved.
The Locomotive - One Big Thing
August City Council Meeting Recap
I was unable to attend the August 18 City Council meeting due to a family emergency, but here is a recap of the major items discussed and approved. You can watch the meeting below.
Council received a presentation on the City’s FY2025 Audit Report and took action on several projects, development requests, and community investments.
A few highlights:
Woodacres Nature Preserve: Council approved the notice of award to Surfaces Group, LLC for construction of the Woodacres Nature Preserve, with a cost not to exceed $800,000.
Pierce Drive: Council approved a Parking Maintenance and Use Agreement for Pierce Drive.
Public Art: Council approved a Public Arts Commission mural grant of up to $5,000 for Wild Aster Books at 3460 Chamblee Dunwoody Way, including the proposed mural concept and artist selection.
Public Arts Commission: Jada Hill was appointed to the Public Arts Commission.
Development Requests: Council considered several variance and waiver requests. Some were approved with conditions, while others were deferred to the September or October meeting cycles for additional consideration.
Public Comment: The agenda was amended during the meeting to add a public comment period.
One item I am particularly excited to see moving forward is Woodacres Nature Preserve. Investing in our parks, trails, and natural spaces continues to be an important part of improving quality of life in Chamblee, and I look forward to seeing this project take shape. This is your Parks and Trails Bond money at work!
Left the Station - This Past Week's Events
Household Hazardous Waste Event
Thank you to all who came out this yearly event! The biggest thank you goes to the volunteers who made this possible.
At the Station - Ongoing Events in Chamblee:
Front Yard Tree Program
Join the Trees Atlanta Front Yard Tree Program! Chamblee homeowners can request a maximum of two trees to be planted in their yard at no cost. Planting season runs from October 2026 through March 2027. Submit an application via www.treesatlanta.org/yardtree
2026 Road Repaving
The City of Chamblee is improving your commute one street at a time by repaving 21 streets from mid-August to mid-October. The Public Works team placed signs at the locations where street paving will take place.
The City is spending $2.6 million on street repaving. Of the $2.6 million, the City is utilizing $780,000 in Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant funding through the Georgia Department of Transportation and $1,820,000 in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funding to complete this project.
The Cow Project
Call for artists! The City of Chamblee and the Public Art Commission are seeking an artist or team to transform a life-size fiberglass cow into a public art piece celebrating the spirit of Chamblee as part of the DeKalb 12+1 Project.
Project Details
Stipend: $5,000
Object: 125-pound fiberglass cow (7’4” L x 4’9” H x 2’2” W)
Delivery: Brought to your workspace on a temporary plywood board
Deadline: Artwork must be completed by October 26, 2026
Requirements
Must have a studio large enough for a 3D object of this size
Ability to meet a fast-turnaround timeline
Priority given to Chamblee studios, followed by DeKalb County spaces
Submit your portfolio (up to 5 images plus links) and a concept sketch (template provided in RFQ PDF) to arts@chambleega.gov For more information and to download the RFQ PDF, please visit https://www.chambleega.com/finance/procurement.php
Chamblee Introduces Curbside Composting
The City of Chamblee is partnering with CompostNow to bring curbside composting to all residents starting this October! For just $19 per month (plus a one-time $19 startup fee), you can divert food scraps from the landfill and turn them into nutrient-rich compost.
Why Compost?
Over 50% of what ends up in landfills is organic material that could be composted. In a landfill, that organic waste generates methane, a greenhouse gas 84 times more potent than CO₂. Composting diverts those materials and transforms them into finished compost instead.
When finished compost is added to local soil, it sequesters carbon, improves water retention, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and improves the nutrient value of our food.
When we build local compost systems for cycling nutrients back into the soil, we improve the climate resiliency of the community and create equitable opportunities for our local growers who strengthen our food supply chains and provide access to fresh, healthy food.
To learn more about the program and to sign up, click HERE.
Chamblee Arts Master Plan Survey
Chamblee is now updating its 2019 Arts Master Plan! The new five-year plan will reflect our community's priorities for public art, arts and culture events and programs, and more. You can learn more about the plan and take a survey to share your thoughts by scanning the QR code or visiting tinyurl.com/chambleeartsplan.
Perimeter Park S Closure
Chamblee Public Works began a Stormwater Improvement Project on Perimeter Park S on Monday, August 3, 2026, to repair a failed 60-inch pipe under the road and daycare parking lot and perform maintenance to the upstream stormwater basin and infrastructure. A road closure is in effect at 4100 Perimeter Park S for up to six weeks. All driveways to businesses and homes on Perimeter Park S will be accessible, as only the section of road at the project area will be closed.
Dresden Park Field Schedule August 2026
Chamblee Annual Report
We had a great year last year, and we're ready to share it! Read all about our accomplishments in our Annual Report! Read it HERE.
Calling All Creators & Artists!
Applications are officially OPEN for the 2026 Chamblee Chalk Walk & Artist Market on Saturday, September 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This is a highly attended community favorite packed with art enthusiasts, live chalk art creations, and incredible energy. We are looking for unique, handmade-only artist vendors and performing artists to fill our market.
We want to showcase your talent, whether your style is:
Fine art (all mediums)
Upcycled fashion & goods
Quirky, classic, spooky, or beautiful!
The Details:
• 100% handmade: Items must be made by hand. No AI-generated art is permitted in any part of the production process.
• Setup: This is a space-only event. Vendors must bring their own 10-by-10-foot tents, weights, tables, and chairs.
Don't miss out on one of our biggest creative crowds of the year! Secure your spot and register today at: https://eventhub.net/events/2026-Chamblee-Chalk-Walk_7634
Public Works Employee of the Month
Please join us in congratulating Carlos Espinabarros as the Public Works Employee of the Month for August!
Carlos is being recognized for his exceptional dedication to our city and his coworkers. Reliable, self-motivated, and always punctual, Carlos tackles every assignment with a positive attitude. He is a phenomenal team player who works seamlessly with everyone and takes the initiative to train new hires according to our city standards. Carlos, thank you for your hard work and outstanding commitment. We are incredibly grateful to have you on the team. Keep up the great work!
The Signal
The July/August Signal Newsletter is here!
New Device Collects Litter in Huntley Hills Park
Spruill Studios Opens in Downtown Chamblee
Upcoming Events & More!
Citywide Stormwater System Survey & Assessment
Chamblee’s Stormwater Division has engaged a consulting team from Lowe Engineers and its sub consultant, Atlas, to conduct a Citywide stormwater system survey and assessment. Fieldwork began in February 2026 and is expected to continue through October 2026.
Residents can expect to see field crews out with survey equipment, locating and documenting stormwater assets, such as inlets, manholes, and pipes, in the public right-of-way and from the street to the nearest outfall or stream. Crews may occasionally need to access private property for this purpose and will carry identification.
Regular updates regarding the location of survey crews will be provided via social media. Questions can be directed to the Stormwater Division at stormwater@chambleega.gov.
Arriving Soon - Upcoming Events in Chamblee
August 26: The Chamblee Chamber of Commerce Returns
Exciting News! oin us as we celebrate the return of the Chamblee Chamber of Commerce!
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Registration is FREE at https://chambleechamber.biz/
August 27: Public Art Commission's August Meeting
The Public Art Commission will meet on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 6:00p.m. at Chamblee City Hall. The meeting will be livestreamed on the City's website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.
August 28: No Office Hours for the Next Two Weeks
II’ll be away from my normal City Hall schedule for the next two weeks and will not be holding regular office hours. I’ll still be checking email, but responses may take a little longer than usual. Also, the Chamblee Brief will be taking a few weeks off as well.
If you need to reach me, please email me at jfurst@chambleega.gov. For anything requiring immediate city assistance, please contact Chamblee City Hall directly.
Regular office hours will resume when I’m back on my normal schedule. As always, stay informed and stay involved.
September 12: Chamblee Chalk Walk Returns
Chalk Walk is back! Get ready for a day filled with colorful chalk art, talented artists, local vendors, and fun for the whole family!
Join us in Chamblee for the 5th annual celebration of creativity and community. We'll see you at the Chalk Walk & Artist Market! Learn more by clicking HERE.
Saturday, September 12, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
3518 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341
October 11: Atlanta Pride Parade
Join us as we participate in the annual Atlanta Pride Parade on Sunday, October 11, 2026!
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 11th, and space is limited to the first 100 participants. https://bit.ly/chambleepride26 We are happy to announce that our FLOAT will be returning to our parade group! For more information, please contact Josh Duarte at jduarte@chambleega.gov.
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 are those of the author and may not reflect those 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 Chamblee resident and would like to discuss city business, please visit chambleega.gov or contact me at the email address above.
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