UPDATE: Lyn confirms that the Chipotle will be opened on the Commerce Drive side of the Suntrust building (to the right in the picture below).

After a cryptic comment this morning alluding to national chain, Chipotle Mexican Grill, securing permits to open in downtown Decatur, I checked in with the city to get confirmation.  And here it is.

Asst. City Manager Lyn Menne has confirmed to DM that Chipotle is opening in “a portion of the SunTrust Bank building space and will have a patio area to the rear.”

It’s not clear what portion of the bank building Chipotle will be taking over, but I’ll try to get more info and get back to you all.

Photo courtesy of Google Streetview

Atlanta Magazine’s Carly Cooper reports today that MAR has signed on Joey Zelinka – most recently of the Sound Table in – as Executive Chef and is planning to open in the old Feast space on E. Howard Ave around the middle of May.

Here’s part of the menu description provided by the article…

Thus far, he’s determined that there will be a lot of wood-roasted proteins with a heavy emphasis on seafood. Zelinka said the proteins will be served a la carte with simple sauces and allow for pairings with sides like corn and beans and rice. He’s planning to serve rib eye, filet, pompano, lobster, pork chops, and scallops, as well as a cold bar with ceviches and oysters. Zelinka will make all tortillas in house including rock shrimp carnitas with a smoked blue corn tortilla and lobster tacos with hard shells dyed black with squid ink. There will also be pork tenderloin tacos and tuna tacos with red chile, plus foie gras empanadas with dough infused with duck fat and smoked swordfish tostadas.

And in case you’re interested, there are also a few interior photos on Atlanta mag’s site.

The City of Decatur’s Linda Harris sends along this announcement from The Decatur Minute…

The community is invited to the groundbreaking of the Beacon Municipal Center on Tuesday, May 7 at 8:30 a.m. (Meet at the Atlanta Avenue construction entrance).

The Beacon Municipal Center will house a new police department building, the renovated Ebster gym and Active Living center and the Central Office for City Schools of Decatur. The $38 million budget also includes a new stormwater management facility under Ebster field.

The project is scheduled to be completed in late spring of 2014.

Demolition already seems to be underway.  Patch has a couple of pics of the teardown of the old Police Department section of the Beacon Hill complex on its site today.

Lew writes in…

Decatur Idol will be held Thursday May 9th at 7 PM in the DHS Auditorium.  Auditions are Thursday May 2 at 4 PM in the DHS Band Room.  Kids will be competing for the coveted title, as well as prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.  Admission is $5 for students and $10 for adults.

Are you interested in City Schools of Decatur Master Planning process, but you haven’t had a chance to attend a meeting yet?  Well, does CSD have the website for you!

The Master Plan website now includes a 40 minute video of the presentation of the Master Plan and a list of Frequently Asked Questions.  Here’s a sample FAQ:

What happens if we do not do a master plan?

Based upon the Projected Growth, if no improvements are made, then each of the current facilities will meet and exceed their capacities within the next three to five year period.  This will force CSD to invest in Portable Classrooms (trailers).  Each Portable Classroom costs approximately $35,000 per year to have installed and leased.  

Example:  It is projected that the Decatur High School would require up to 32 Portable Classrooms to accommodate its growth.  This would equate into CSD paying approximately $1,120,000 per year for a temporary solution.   Another 17 Portable Classrooms would be necessary to accommodate projected growth at Renfroe Middle School at a cost of $595,000 per year.