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⚽ Norcross locals prepare for the World Cup
Friday, June 5 — Yesterday morning, I toured Atlanta’s South Downtown neighborhood, which is being transformed into a mixed-use retail, office, and residential neighborhood. Similar to downtown Norcross, “SoDo Atlanta” is right next to the historic Terminal Station at the corner of Mitchell and Spring streets Downtown.
🚶♂️Read about it in our morning newsletter, or on the Rough Draft Norcross home page.
⬇️ Here are some things to know:
🎶 The city’s free summer concert series continues tonight at Thrasher Park with Lydia Simmons, playing from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. No excuses for staying home because the weather should be great.
🚧 Due to the concert, Park Drive will be closed from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. between North Peachtree and Thrasher. Sign up for city alerts and updates here.
🚇 Gwinnett County cannot put another sales tax referendum for transit on the ballot until 2032, and supporters of rail expansion may be glad there’s time for things to get back on track. On Thursday, the federal government announced an investigation into MARTA after a string of violent crimes.
🎥 Next week, Movie Monday is a double showing of “Soul on Fire,” playing at the Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
🏛️ Two city boards and the Norcross Downtown Development Authority have meetings next week. Here’s a calendar of city events and public meetings.
Let’s get into it,
🥸 Hayden
💙 Honor Dad while making a difference at run4DAD. Choose a 5K, 1-mile walk, or kids’ race and support prostate cancer awareness. Bring the whole family for a meaningful, active morning. Join us on Sun., June 21. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Norcross City Council denies rezoning request amid neighborhood opposition
🚫 The Norcross City Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning request at 6011 Western Hills Dr. on June 1, with residents opposing the proposal due to concerns about crime, traffic, and property values.
Despite staff and the city’s citizen-led planning commission recommending approval, elected officials accepted neighbors’ opposition and committed to addressing issues in the area.
Elected officials asked City Manager Eric Johnson to coordinate a response to address crime and cleanliness issues near the extended-stay hotel and surrounding neighborhood, including any needed code enforcement and increased police presence.
🛍️ Read more about Western Hills Drive rezoning here.
Discover Sandy Springs, Dunwoody & Brookhaven Through Perimeter Pursuit
SPONSORED BY PERIMETER COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
🚲 From hidden gems to favorite local destinations, Perimeter Pursuit turns exploring your community into a game. Through June 30, participants can complete missions across Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven while earning points for prizes and exclusive offers from local businesses like Foxtail Coffee.
🏆 Rewards include gift cards, Braves tickets, dining experiences, hotel stays, and more.
➡️ Learn more and join the challenge today!
City Council approves on-street parking and public safety upgrades
🅿️ The Norcross communications team pitched recent action by the city council at its June 1 meeting as reflecting an “ongoing commitment to enhancing public spaces [and] investing in public safety infrastructure.”
While a couple of residents voiced opposition to on-street parking and the tree clearing necessary for expanded downtown parking, elected officials and many at city hall frame it as improving services for residents, businesses, and visitors.
Council members approved the on-street parking unanimously as part of the consent agenda, before residents spoke both in favor and against the proposal.
🔐 Read more about efforts to upgrade parking, art, and technology here.
💙 Honor Dad while making a difference at run4DAD. Choose a 5K, 1-mile walk, or kids’ race and support prostate cancer awareness. Bring the whole family for a meaningful, active morning. Join us on Sun., June 21. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Norcross West African restaurant Ike’s Cafe & Grill is preparing for World Cup crowds
🇬🇭 Mike Kwasi Kwarteng, co-owner of Ike’s Cafe & Grill, said he wants to share some of his mother’s traditional Ghanaian cuisine when thousands visit metro Atlanta for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With the 48-nation tournament less than two weeks away, the family is finishing up renovations at the Norcross location, which opened 13 years ago this December.
“Whenever the World Cup comes, wherever you’re from in Africa, east, west, or central, everybody is cheering together,” Kwarteng said. “If your team is not in it, it doesn’t matter; we get behind them.”
⚽ Read about the Kwarteng family and their World Cup plans here.
💙 Honor Dad while making a difference at run4DAD. Choose a 5K, 1-mile walk, or kids’ race and support prostate cancer awareness. Bring the whole family for a meaningful, active morning. Join us on Sun., June 21. SPONSOR MESSAGE
PICTURE THIS: Norcross residents on Mitchell Street in South Downtown Atlanta
👷 Community leader Chuck Paul organized a June 4 tour of South Downtown Atlanta with its CEO Jon Birdsong, introducing Norcross residents to a nearly $400 million revitalization project.
Many storefronts along Mitchell Street are open, and hundreds of construction workers are still preparing the district for the FIFA World Cup.
As proof of the district’s potential, Spain’s soccer federation selected a space at 186 Mitchell Street in the heart of South Downtown’s open-container district.
⚽ Check out our comprehensive World Cup roundup here.
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