The Brookhaven City Council celebrated a milestone and mourned another on July 14 as the city approved a financial agreement with Emory University to fund the vast majority of the construction of the Peachtree Creek Greenway Connector Bridge, and learned that District 2 Council Member Jen Owens is vacating her seat.

Emory will contribute $15.8 million toward the construction of the Peachtree Creek Greenway Connector Bridge, which will span Interstate 85 and create a direct pedestrian and bicycle connection between Emory University’s Executive Park, the Peachtree Creek Greenway, and DeKalb County’s trail network.

A rendering of the proposed bridge over Interstate 85 in Brookhaven. (Courtesy of the City of Brookhaven)

According to a staff memo about the resolution, “in the attached MOU [memorandum of understanding], Emory University has agreed to make PILOT payments totaling $15.8 million over 10 years.”

“This project is the result of visionary leadership and an unwavering commitment to partnership,” said Brookhaven Mayor John Park in a press release. “I want to thank Emory University, DeKalb County’s CEO Office, GDOT, Asbury Automotive Group, The Brookhaven Development Authority, Peachtree Creek Greenway, Inc., and the many stakeholders who have worked together to bring this vision closer to reality.”

The agreement represents years of collaboration among DeKalb County, Brookhaven, Emory University, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the Brookhaven Development Authority, Peachtree Creek Greenway, Inc., Asbury Automotive Group, and numerous community stakeholders, the release said.

Once completed, the bridge will provide residents along the Buford Highway corridor and surrounding communities with access to employment centers, healthcare services, parks, and recreational opportunities.

City officials said the bridge will also serve as a critical link between the Peachtree Creek Greenway, DeKalb County’s Trails and Greenways Network, PATH400, and the Atlanta Beltline.

The agreement also ensures that no residential property taxes will be used to fund the design or construction of the Peachtree Creek Greenway Connector Bridge, according to city officials.

Final design of the Peachtree Creek Greenway Connector Bridge is expected to be completed in late 2027, with construction anticipated to begin in 2028.

In other news, District 2 Jennifer Owens stated at the end of the meeting that she is resigning her seat immediately as she is moving out of the district to accommodate her “Brady Bunch family.”

Owens, recently engaged, said she is moving out of Brookhaven to nearby Chamblee.

“I’m very excited to start this new chapter, but working with you has been an honor,” she told her fellow council members.

In a social media post, Owens said she is proud of the accomplishments achieved during her time on council, including improvements to parks, walking paths, streets, and stormwater projects.

Park announced that current Brookhaven Planning Commission Chair Conor Sen will fill her seat until November, when a special election will be held. Sen, surrounded by his family, was sworn in after the meeting by Brookhaven Municipal Judge Bryon Ramos.

Conor Sen, surrounded by his family, is sworn in as the new District 2 Council Member by Judge Bryan Ramos (Photo by Cathy Cobbs)

Sen, who has two children at Ashford Park Elementary, thanked Park and former Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst for encouraging him to become involved with city government.

In other action:

  • The council accepted a donation of six acres of land at 1578 Lenox Overlook Road to be converted into a public park.
  • Park announced, based on community feedback, that he will resume the mayor’s town hall meeting, the first of which will be held Sept. 18.
  • The council commended Sheila Hayes, executive assistant to the mayor and council, for her service and announced her retirement. “Thank you for allowing me to serve you, but I’m going to enjoy my life – Woohoo!” she said.
  • During staff reports at the council’s 4:30 session, the panel learned that the process to bury power lines along Dresden Drive is progressing.
  • Police Chief Brandon Gurley announced that National Night Out is scheduled for Aug. 4. Gurley also announced that crime in the city is continuing its downward trend, except for fraud. “If you get a call saying that we have a warrant for your arrest if you miss jury duty, it’s probably fraud,” he said.
  • Summit Coffee, located on the first floor of City Centre, is changing its operating hours to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cathy Cobbs is Reporter Newspapers' Managing Editor and covers Dunwoody and Brookhaven for Rough Draft Atlanta. She can be reached at cathy@roughdraftatlanta.com.