Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local topics not yet discussed here over the past week.

If you start seeing Xs spray-painted on trees around town in the coming weeks, here’s what’s up according to the Decatur Focus…

City of Decatur arborist Kay Evanovich is working with the Urban Forestry Management Plan team to mark certain city-owned trees for either tree health care or removal as part of the city’s Urban Forestry Management
Plan.

Using a tree risk management system known as ALARP (As Low as Reasonably Practical), which manages tree risks by reducing them to a level that demonstrates due diligence and a proactive approach, the team is able to assess trees and categorize them by their risk level.

Trees that are identified as high risk are being marked with an orange X for removal and moderate risk trees are wrapped with yellow caution tape to be pruned or treated.

The community can help by leaving flagging tape on trees so that crews can locate them.

Once all necessary trees are flagged the information at right will apply:

On streets that experience reduced canopy levels each spring, new trees will be planted through the Trees Atlanta planting program.

Well, friends, we asked for your enthusiastic participation and you did not disappoint. In our first week of registration for the Oakhurst Porchfest we’ve amassed 180 performers and 162 porch hosts. As we mentioned when we launched, our intention is to cap this year’s event at 200 which really just means one thing: If you’re inclined to get on it, now’s the time.

Here’s how it’s shaping up:

Not unexpectedly, Mead Road and Fayetteville Road are once again positioning themselves for domination while Maxwell Street hints at being a serious player. But that’s becoming less unique overall as impressive clusters of activity continue to materialize all around the ‘hood. (Or almost all around, as a few relatively dead zones still remain. Feld, 2nd Avenue, Olympic Place, and Adams Street south of the park, let’s see some hustle out there!)

All in all, an amazing show of support by the Oakhurst Nation. Give yourselves a pat on the back, then share this post with anyone who might still want to jump in. And if you want to register yourself, it’s performers here and porch hosts here.

In a race to avoid paving during the looming school year (1 week away! Where can I get 20 Ticonderoga pencils?!), the City of Decatur is planning to pave a bunch of the under-construction streets of downtown this week, including the city’s biggest street project of late, North McDonough.

Other streets due for the ol’ black asphalt makeover include the loop at Barry Street, N. Candler and E Howard (but not Pate Street!  Gravel4life!) and the railroad intersections at N. McDonough and S.Candler.  Say what you want about Decatur construction, that’s some serious paving coordination right there.

The Extreme Makeover website says that you should expect lane closures on North McDonough and the railroad intersections during the paving over the next 2-3 days, but two-way traffic will remain open.   Access to Barry, N. Candler and E Howard will stilll be extremely limited, but what else is new.  🙂

Paving was supposed to begin yesterday, but I didn’t get this post up in time so they delayed it.  Just kidding.  They say it was due to rain or something.

Almost there!

Old N. McDonough construction photo courtesy of DM

• Report: Atlanta has Third Highest Rate of Failed Home Sales in U.S. [Curbed]
• Atlanta Real Estate Market Snapshot – June 2017 [ARA]
• Americans Prefer Real Estate for Long-Term Investing [Atlanta Agent Magazine]
• 4 Vacation Home Issues Buyers Should Know [Realtor Mag]
• The Most Expensive Homes for Sale in Every Southern State [Southern Living]
• The Long Home Market Shift: Trend of Building Larger Homes Persists [Builder]
• With Edible Landscaping, Atlantans Trade Boxwoods for Blueberries [Atlanta Magazine]

Brought to you by Michelle Cavaliere – Keller Williams Realty Intown Atlanta.  Find us on Facebook!

Decaturish reported this morning that Big Tex is planning to reopen next Monday, July 24th at 5p.  Part owner Sean Dammann confirmed that news to us.

Big Tex Cantina was previously partially owned by the owners of Fox Bros BBQ, but this relaunch of the restaurant now includes many long time Decaturites, like City Commissioner Scott Drake and Sean and Tammy Dammann.  Other owners include Dan and Beau Nolen, who were previous Big Tex partners, and Robin Vaughan, who will serve as general manager.

Photo courtesy of NickWildHeaven on Instagram

Feel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not yet discussed here over the past week.