👵🏼 Tower toppled
Our long national nightmare is over
Sept. 10 — It’s Cathy from Rough Draft with my weekly newsletter on Dunwoody. It’s been a busy week in the city, what with votes on big projects, statue unveilings, and of course, the biggest event, my sister Mary’s birthday, which is today. Since she doesn’t subscribe to this newsletter, I can say without fear of retribution that I was always Mom’s favorite.
This edition highlights the long-anticipated vote on age-restricted, low-income housing by the Dunwoody City Council, the dedication of a new statue at our local library, a preview of the city’s 2026 budget, and a location change for the upcoming bike rodeo on Saturday.
Read on,
Cathy
Alpharetta Restaurant Week runs Oct. 11–18, with 60+ restaurants offering special menus. It’s the perfect chance to try something new or revisit a favorite spot. Don’t miss the area’s largest culinary event! Learn more here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Age-restricted apartment proposal goes down
The Dunwoody City Council at its Sept. 8 meeting voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application that would allow the construction of a low-income senior housing complex on Ashford Dunwoody Road, despite the fact that the developers at the last minute reduced the height and density of the complex.
Dominium, a property management and development company, had requested to rezone a three-acre property from O-I (Office Industrial) to PD (Planned Development) to allow the site to be redeveloped into an age-restricted, income-restricted housing community with 215 rental units, with an approximate 240-space underground parking garage, and eight surface visitor parking spaces.
The proposal had been met with overwhelming opposition from people who objected to the density, height and location of the project. The defeat was not surprising, but the swiftly executed 7-0 vote was, IMO.
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2026 budget will emphasize safety, customer service
The City of Dunwoody on Sept. 3 released its proposed Fiscal Year 2026 operating and capital budget, a $70.5 million plan “with a focus on public safety and customer service, while maintaining strong financial reserves.”
According to a release from the city, the proposed budget represents a 0.2 percent decrease from the amended FY2025 budget, “reflecting disciplined spending and long-term fiscal stewardship.”
The 2026 budget is a balanced one, meaning the city will not need to transfer funds from reserves, according to Dunwoody officials. For the last four years, drawing from the reserve fund was budgeted to bridge the gap, but because of lower-than-expected costs and higher-than-expected revenues, it has not been necessary.
Here’s a wrap up of the 2026 budget highlights.
‘Libby’ takes the stage at Dunwoody Library
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for new artwork commissioned by the Dunwoody Garden Club was dedicated at the Dunwoody Library entrance on Monday, Sept. 8.
The Dunwoody Garden Club was able to purchase the $2,500 statue with funds raised from sponsors and long-time supporters. The City of Dunwoody created a concrete base for the statue and installed it, along with a new sidewalk.
Entitled “Study Time,” the bronze statue depicts a young girl seated on a tree stump reading a book, according to DGC’s Betty Dworschak. The girl, named Libby by popular vote, is surrounded by fresh plantings of white daises, petunias and other flowers installed jointly by the city and the garden club.
Read more about the dedication here.
Alpharetta Restaurant Week runs Oct. 11–18, with 60+ restaurants offering special menus. It’s the perfect chance to try something new or revisit a favorite spot. Don’t miss the area’s largest culinary event! Learn more here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
How much is this house?
A NEW FEATURE FROM ROUGH DRAFT
Can you guess the price of this Dunwoody home based on the photo? Hint: 5 bed, 2 baths, 3 half-baths, 3.946 sqft, Redfield neighborhood, Austin Elementary.
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Bike rodeo gathering at a different corral
The name is the same, only the place has changed -The Bike Rodeo gathering spot has moved to a different location at Brook Run Park. Participants will now meet at the parking lot adjacent to the amphitheater.
The free Kids Bike Safety Rodeo on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 8-10 a.m. at Brook Run Park, will offer young cyclists ages 5-14 essential safety skills in an interactive environment.
The drop-in event invites families to bring their bikes and helmets for comprehensive safety training that builds confidence and teaches real-world riding skills, according to a release from the city. Children must be able to ride without training wheels to participate.
ICYMI, here are some details about the day.
Washboards and violins can fix everything
Discover Dunwoody is taking a page from our pampered youth on Friday, Sept. 12 with its Empty Nester Grad Party, “a celebration for parents stepping into a new chapter of life.”
“Whether you’re sending your first child off to college, the military, or a trade program, or you’re already navigating life as an empty nester, this event is for you,” the announcement said.
Sad parents can gather at Ashford Lane Lawn at 4500 Olde Perimeter Way and assemble care packages filled with snacks and messages of love for their grown children who are have already forgotten about them.
Seriously, there is a lot of great things going on at this event. Vendors will be on hand to help with the transition with travel ideas, financial planning, and leisure activities, including Mah Jongg Instruction by Marni Mahj, pickleball games and demo by Premier Racquet Sport, and acoustic music washboards and violins from Blackfoot Daisies.
Here’s more information about the event.
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