Highland Bakery, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, and Orangetheory Fitness have signed leases for The Place on Ponce. Photo by Dena Mellick

The Decatur City Commission will meet on April 4 and will consider approving an alcohol license for the first franchise location of Highland Bakery.

As Decaturish recently reported, the restaurant – which has been in the works since last year – could open this July.

The application for the alcohol license matches up with this timeline. It says that construction is underway and could be completed within three months.

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The first Highland Bakery opened in 2003. There are locations in Old Fourth Ward, Buckhead, Midtown, Emory and Georgia Tech. The Decatur location will be owned by Jill Johnson. The store will be located at 319 West Ponce de Leon Avenue, the application says.

The original press release sent to media outlets in 2015 provided some information about what the Decatur location will look like and what will be on the menu.

“Their … location will boast 3,000 square feet of main level seating as well as a 500 square foot mezzanine,” the press release said. “A full breakfast and lunch menu will be served, including signature dishes such as Fried Chicken Benedict, Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes, Peanut Butter French Toast as well as gourmet coffee. The new space will also include a full service bakery offering the whole grain, all-natural, freshly baked breads and delectable pastries that have made Highland Bakery a local favorite. Catering and custom cakes are also available.”

In other business on the April 4 agenda:

– The City Commission will consider reaffirming its existing ethics ordinance, which is required to remain in good standing with the Georgia Municipal Association’s “Cities of Ethics” program. The city is also in the process of looking for two new members of the Ethics Committee. The ordinance was adopted in 2000 and the city has received no complaints that anyone has violated it since its adoption. Contact information for the city’s Ethics Committee, the steps for filing a complaint and a copy of the ethics ordinance aren’t accessible on www.decaturga.com, the city’s website. A copy of the ethics ordinance can be found at https://decatur.civicweb.net/, a site the city uses to post copies of its agenda and supporting documentation. The ethics ordinance can be found on that site by clicking here.

– The City Commission will consider awarding a bid for Phase 2 of the downtown Decatur storm drainage improvements. The work will affect East Howard Avenue and Barry Street, according to a sketch attached to the April 4 agenda.  The City Commission will consider a project budget of $1.7 million and consider awarding a $1.4 million contract to Astra Grading & Pipe.

The City Commission meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at City Hall, located at 509 North McDonough Street. All meetings are open to the public.