The Chamblee Brief - October 12, 2026
By Jimmy Furst
Stay informed. Stay involved.
The Locomotive - One Big Thing
How Does Chamblee Decide Which Roads Get Paved?
One of the questions I hear most often from residents is, "How can I get my road repaved?"
It's a fair question. We all want smooth, safe, and well-maintained roads in our neighborhoods. However, deciding which streets get paved and when is more involved than simply submitting a request.
Road maintenance is an important responsibility of local government, and I want residents to better understand how the process works.
This video provides a helpful look at how road paving decisions are made in Chamblee and what residents should know about the process.
Watch the video below to learn more about how Chamblee approaches road repaving.
The latest paving schedule is below. Please note that the schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions.A
Left the Station - This Past Week's Events
Chamblee First United Methodist Bicentennial
On Sunday, October 4, I had the pleasure of attending the 200th anniversary celebration of Chamblee First United Methodist Church.
For two centuries, this historic church has been part of the fabric of our community, bringing generations of families, friends, and neighbors together through faith, fellowship, and service.
The celebration also included tours of the historic cemetery, offering an opportunity to reflect on the people and families who helped shape the Chamblee we know today.
Two hundred years is an incredible milestone, especially when you consider how much Chamblee has changed during that time. While our city continues to grow and evolve, institutions like this remind us of the importance of preserving our history and honoring those who came before us.
Congratulations to the entire Chamblee First United Methodist Church congregation on 200 years of ministry and service. Thank you for being such an important part of Chamblee's history and community. Here's to the next 200 years!
New Business Alert: Saltbox
The historic Kodak facility has been transformed into a new home for small businesses! Saltbox held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its third Atlanta-area location in Chamblee.
Saltbox is a co-warehousing ecosystem built specifically for small product-based businesses, bringing warehousing, fulfillment, storage, operations, and community under one roof.
To learn more about leasing options and pricing, visit Saltbox at 5315 Peachtree Boulevard or online at https://www.saltbox.com/
Weekend Cancellations Due to Weather
Due to inclement weather, the City of Chamblee canceled its participation in this year's Atlanta Pride Parade and the 3rd Spot game-watching event.
We greatly appreciate the partnership and assistance of Brown & Brown Wrecker Service and Derek Gibson with Let's Go Up Balloon Decor. We'll be back next year! We'll be back next year!
Keswick Park Input Session #3
The third public input meeting for the Keswick Park Upper Area Master Plan was held on October 12. You can view the presentation HERE.
At the Station - Ongoing Events in Chamblee
Early Voting has Begun
Rail Trail Closure
A portion of the Rail Trail between Chamblee Tucker Road and Malone Drive will be closed October 12–16, 2026, for construction at Fish Bolt Park.
Chamblee Cop N Stuff: Socktober Sock Drive
Chamblee Cop N Stuff is offering two ways to make a big difference this fall! They are hosting two donation drives from October 1 through November 1 to help those in need. They are also hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive to collect nonperishable items for Thanksgiving meal boxes benefiting local families.
They are also hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive to collect non-perishable food items for Thanksgiving meal boxes to help local families in need. Suggested items include:
Boxed stuffing
Instant potatoes
Macaroni & cheese
Rice
Canned green beans
Canned corn
Canned yams
Cranberry sauce
Gravy (jar or packet)
Cornbread or muffin mix
Canned fruit
Dessert mixes
Grocery store gift cards (to purchase turkeys, hams, and other perishables)
Food donations can be dropped off at the Chamblee Public Safety Building. For more information, please contact Catherine Powe at 470-866-1501 or chambleecopnstuff@gmail.com
Front Yard Tree Program
Join the Trees Atlanta Front Yard Tree Program! Chamblee homeowners can request up to 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.
Public Works Employee of the Month
Please join us in congratulating David Clarke as the Public Works Employee of the Month for the month of October. David provides exemplary service to the Public Works Department and the City of Chamblee and is a valuable and dependable member of the Stormwater team. Known for working across divisions to get things done, he excels at taking initiative, identifying necessary resources, and seeing projects through to completion.
David has proven to be a reliable presence on our stormwater construction and maintenance sites. He diligently oversees field operations, manages communication between contractors, staff, and residents, and skillfully resolves issues as they arise. This was recently demonstrated by his leadership on the complex Ellwyn Drive project, where he successfully balanced multiple contractors and homeowners. He is a vigilant steward of City resources, regularly seeking out operational and cost efficiencies. Always quick to lend a hand, David brings both a strong work ethic and a positive attitude—complete with a smile and a joke—that makes Public Works a better place to work.
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.
Arriving Soon - Upcoming Events in Chamblee
October 15: City Council Public Hearing and Work Session
The Chamblee City Council Public Hearing and Work Session will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Chamblee City Hall. The meeting will be livestreamed on the City's website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.
October 16: Office Hours Return
Office hours return this Friday, October 16! Stop by City Hall to discuss anything and everything Chamblee. No appointment is necessary. Please note that I will be leaving at 3:00 p.m. for an offsite meeting.
October 17: Taste of Chamblee
Taste of Chamblee returns for its 17th year in downtown Chamblee! Join us for a day filled with mouthwatering food, unique handcrafted goods, and family-friendly entertainment!
Food
Football
Crafts
Music
Wine Workshop
Cooking Competition
See a list of vendors and a complete schedule of events at https://www.tasteofchamblee.net/
Chamblee and Vine's Wine Down Workshop at A Taste of Chamblee
Join Chamblee and Vine at their Wine Down Workshop at A Taste of Chamblee!
Meet Their Team
Explore Their Wines
Learn more about Chamblee and Vine!
Purchase Workshop Tickets HERE
October 24: Run for the Hills
It's almost time to Run for the Hills!
Saturday, October 24, 2026
5K + Fun Run 8:30 a.m.
Fall Festival 9:00 a.m.-noon
Admission to the Fall Festival is FREE, and you can register at runhuntleyhills.com.
October 24: Rivers Alive Nancy Creek Stream Cleanup
Join the City of Chamblee and Keep Chamblee Beautiful for the Rivers Alive Nancy Creek Stream Cleanup and help keep our local waterways litter-free!
Saturday, October 24, 2026
9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
2165 Savoy Drive
You can register HERE.
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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