Community and Economic DevelopmentDowntownIn ProgressQuality Affordable Housing
On February 5, 2020, City staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a mixed-use development on 5.3 acres of City-owned land at 319 Biltmore.
Coords:
Construction is underway for a new affordable and mixed income community at 360 Hilliard Avenue, next to the Aston Tennis Center.
Community and Economic DevelopmentCitywideIn ProgressQuality Affordable Housing
The project will update the 2008 Affordable Housing Plan that was created by the Mayor’s Taskforce on Affordable Housing, which was last updated in 2015.
Planning and Urban DesignCitywideIn ProgressEquitable and Diverse Community
The City’s Living Asheville Comprehensive Plan calls for identifying strategies to honor the history and contributions of the African American community in Asheville. As a baseline for more fully documenting the rich history of the African American communities that have thrived here for generations, the Planning & Urban Design Department is currently facilitating an architectural survey of the city’s historically African American neighborhoods.
Capital ManagementTransportationIn Progress
The City will construct accessible sidewalk providing connection along approximately 0.6 miles of Airport Road (NC-280), including curb ramps, crosswalks, bus stop pads, and traffic signal upgrades, from Hendersonville Road (US-25) to the southernmost entrance of Walmart at 60 Airport Road.
City Manager's OfficeCitywideIn ProgressEquitable and Diverse Community
The City of Asheville will be receiving $26.2 million in federal grant funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Government Fiscal Recovery Funds.
TransitTransportationIn Progress
The City of Asheville is launching the Asheville Rides Transit (ART) Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) to improve public transit services and align resources with community needs. This project will analyze ridership data, demographic trends, and roadway conditions to develop short- and long-term strategies for enhancing the ART transit system. The project will identify techniques and a framework to match resources with transit service demand, optimizing service efficiency and better serving Asheville’s growing and changing population.
Planning and Urban DesignDowntownAccepting InputIn ProgressConnected and Engaged CommunityEquitable and Diverse Community
Art in the Heart is a way to unite, heal, and strengthen the community. Installations, artwork, and performances over the next 6 months will help spark important conversations on how to make this public space a place that resonates with Asheville’s diverse community and history.
Parks and RecreationDowntownIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy EnvironmentConnected and Engaged CommunityWell-planned and Livable Community
Asheville Parks & Recreation plans to install a temporary skating rink for recreational skating and inline hockey in a municipal parking lot on 50 Asheland Avenue.
Community and Economic DevelopmentCitywideIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
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Planning and Urban DesignCitywideIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
The purpose of the study is to identify regulatory or policy barriers that negatively impact the production of housing supply and to develop recommendations to help Asheville prioritize next steps to better align regulations with city goals.
TransportationDowntownIn ProgressTransportation and AccessibilityWell-planned and Livable Community
Asheville Unpaved is a community-supported initiative, led by Asheville on Bikes, Pisgah Area SORBA, and Connect Buncombe, dedicated to building a network of multi-use natural surface trails that will help Asheville-area residents and visitors connect with one another, their natural environment, and their city.
Capital ManagementParks and Recreation
Transportation
After Tropical Storm Helene, many of the light poles in Historic Biltmore Village were submerged in floodwater for several days. This project aims to assess and restore street lighting in the area to improve safety, support economic recovery, and ensure long-term resilience. The project includes a full assessment of the 92 City-maintained lighting structures and electrical components to develop plans and detailed cost estimates for repairs. A timeline for construction of repairs will be available once the assessment has been completed.
City ClerkCitywideIn ProgressConnected and Engaged Community
The City of Asheville staff has created a proposal to realign the advisory boards to address challenges within the current system.
Planning and Urban DesignDowntownIn ProgressEquitable and Diverse Community
The Boosting the Block project advances key elements in the Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan, including the planning, design and implementation of a gateway and cultural corridor along South Market Street. It incorporates place-based investments and programming that enhances the area’s physical and cultural environment.
Planning and Urban DesignWestIn ProgressEquitable and Diverse Community
In a continuing effort to document and honor the history and contributions of African American communities that have lived and thrived in Asheville for generations, the Department of Planning and Urban design is assisting the Burton Street Neighborhood Association Leadership in the identification, documentation and dissemination of information pertaining to the history and character defining architectural and streetscape elements of the Burton Street neighborhood.
Capital ManagementTransportationDowntownIn ProgressTransportation and Accessibility
Capital ManagementPlanning and Urban DesignTransportationDowntownIn Progress
Community and Economic DevelopmentWestIn ProgressQuality Affordable Housing
The City of Asheville is working with their partner, the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville on a master plan for about 60 acres of land in Deaverview following the Purpose Built Communities model.
Planning and Urban DesignDowntownWestIn ProgressTransportation and Accessibility
The purpose of the Patton Avenue Corridor Study is to develop transportation, land use, and urban design recommendations for Patton Avenue from the Jeff Bowen Bridge to the easternmost terminus at Pack Square.
Planning and Urban DesignDowntownCompleteWell-planned and Livable Community
The Downtown Master Plan Updates will build on the Downtown Master Plan and Appendices (completed in 2009), to take a deeper dive into specific topics of focus related to the public realm. The Master Plan Updates will help address concerns about management of public spaces, enhancement of community character and expanded options for place-making.
Community and Economic DevelopmentDowntownIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
Duke needs to replace or rebuild the substation at the rear of the Harrah’s Cherokee Center of Asheville and has approached the City to explore options to rebuild the substation on City property at 57 Rankin.
Stormwater Services and UtilityNorthIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
The area at the intersection of Edwin Place and Celia Place experiences significant flooding during high intensity storm events due to aged and undersized infrastructure. Additional areas in the contributing watershed along Sunset Parkway and Canterbury Road also experience flooding. To alleviate flooding, the City has produced construction plans for infrastructure replacement across Edwin Place, tying into the existing stream beyond Murdock Avenue.
SustainabilityCitywideIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy Environment
Electrify Asheville-Buncombe County is a pilot program supporting home energy efficiency and electrification upgrades as one way to move toward the City supported goal of powering Buncombe county with 100% renewable energy by 2042.
The Food Waste Reduction Initiative aims to provide useful information and tips to residents seeking ways to reduce their household food waste, pilot opportunities for community compost drop sites, elevate the message of food waste reduction, and model food waste reduction initiatives in city facilities.
Capital ManagementTransportationDowntownSouthIn ProgressTransportation and Accessibility
The Greenway Connectors are on-road improvements in two project areas for bike and pedestrian safety and way-finding. The objective of this project is to connect greenways in the project area and provide safe passage for pedestrians and bicyclists from one greenway trailhead to another.
Community and Economic DevelopmentPlanning and Urban DesignDowntownThriving Local Economy
A Conceptual Master Plan for the long-term use of City-owned properties at Haywood Street and Page Avenue was approved by City Council in October 2020.
Planning and Urban DesignDowntownCompleteThriving Local Economy
Project construction began in early 2020 and continued in phases, with substantial completion in November 2020 and final completion in early 2021.
Asheville City Council had adopted a Conceptual Master Plan for City-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue downtown. Adoption of the Plan was a major step forward toward the community vision previously identified for these properties.
City ClerkCity Manager's OfficeIn Progress
Stormwater Services and UtilityDowntownIn Progress
Stormwater crews have been working diligently since May 9 after heavy rainfall impacted the area. Crews have identified a significant number of utility conflicts in the area, preventing crews from installing the new stormwater lines. Staff are analyzing the possibility of rerouting and upgrading the line down Hiawassee St. from Rankin to North Lexington.
Community and Economic DevelopmentCitywideWell-planned and Livable Community
The City of Asheville has prepared the Allocation Plan for the HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Program. The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan sets out how the City of Asheville and the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium propose to use an estimated $4,699,862 in federal HOME-ARP Program funds.
Planning and Urban DesignCitywideCompleteThriving Local Economy
At their meeting on February 23, 2021, the Asheville City Council adopted new hotel development regulations that take effect immediately. The Hotel Moratorium also expired on February 23, 2021.
Capital ManagementWestIn ProgressTransportation and Accessibility
Capital ManagementTransportationDowntownIn Progress
Public WorksStreet ServicesTransportationDowntownIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy EnvironmentTransportation and AccessibilityWell-planned and Livable Community
After hearing community input and gathering speed data, traffic calming is proposed for Livingston Street. This project would add speed cushions about every 300ft between Depot Street and Victoria Road. The speed cushions proposed are the same size as speed humps but would include a space between each cushion for emergency vehicles, pictured below.
Capital ManagementTransportation
Capital ManagementParks and RecreationCitywideWestAccepting InputClean, Safe and Healthy EnvironmentWell-planned and Livable Community
The City of Asheville is replacing the existing, aging, and unsafe municipal pool in Malvern Hills Park with a new, modern, and code-compliant aquatic facility that enhances community recreation opportunities and ensures accessibility for all residents.
Capital ManagementCommunity and Regional Entertainment FacilitiesDowntownIn Progress
WaterDowntownIn Progress
Starting in late summer 2024, Hyatt Pipeline, LLC will replace approximately 6,600 feet of 12-inch water line on Short McDowell Street and on McDowell Street from Meadow Road to Southside Avenue. As much work as possible will be done at night to minimize traffic disruption.
Capital ManagementFirePoliceDowntownIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
The Municipal Building Capital Repairs & Restoration project is a structural repair project to demolish and replace the elevated slab floor of the Fire Station 1 apparatus bay.
Capital ManagementCommunity and Regional Entertainment Facilities
The City of Asheville is restoring the Municipal Golf Course after Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage to the area. For project updates, timeline, and background information, read more.
Capital ManagementTransportationDowntownSouthIn ProgressTransportation and AccessibilityWell-planned and Livable Community
This greenway will feature a series of interpretive signs about the devastating impact of the razing of the Southside Community, a historically African-American community, due to urban renewal in the late 60s and early 70s.
Community and Economic DevelopmentCitywideCompleteQuality Affordable Housing
Affordable housing has become a serious issue in Asheville, but the City is working to increase the number of affordable homes. The Neighborhood Lots for Affordable Housing project is smaller in scope but still an important part of the larger goal to develop more affordable housing options in the City.
WaterCitywideIn ProgressFinancially Resilient City
This project area includes Old Shoals Extension, Monte Vista Place, Downing Street, Frederick Street, Britt Drive, Hilltopia and Plateau Road, Pine Tree Drive, Livingston Street and Depot Street.
WaterEastWestIn Progress
This project area includes the Beacon Village area in Swannanoa and Joyner Avenue in west Asheville.
Capital ManagementEastIn ProgressTransportation and Accessibility
Community and Economic DevelopmentWest
Capital ManagementFirePoliceOakleyIn Progress
The new fire station is the first of two phases for the Oakley Public Safety Complex project, which will enhance public safety in East Asheville.
Public WorksStormwater Services and UtilityStreet ServicesIn Progress
The Old Toll Road Landslide Recovery Project addresses damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene, which triggered a landslide on Old Toll Road near the intersection with Sunset Drive on September 27, 2024. Public Works crews began repairs in March 2025, installing stormwater infrastructure and rebuilding the road.
Planning and Urban DesignCitywideIn ProgressThriving Local Economy
A task force has been created to review the city’s open space zoning regulations and to consider amendments to update the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). These regulations relate to the open spaces that are required primarily for new development projects, not to be confused with larger public open spaces of city parks and greenways.
Community and Economic DevelopmentCitywideIn ProgressThriving Local Economy
With consideration for physical distancing and other safety measures implemented by public health officials, the City has launched new ways to use outdoor spaces - like streets, sidewalks, parking areas and parks - differently, to support economic recovery and other community and business needs.
Planning and Urban DesignDowntownIn ProgressEquitable and Diverse CommunityWell-planned and Livable Community
The City of Asheville and Buncombe County are partnering to document the community’s vision for the future of Pack Square Plaza, including the site where the Vance Monument was previously located. This project is a continuation of work launched by the signing of a joint resolution of the County Commission and City Council to create the Vance Monument Task Force in the summer of 2020. The findings of that initiative led to the signing of a City Council resolution in March 2021 to remove the monument, and to the dedication of funds to a planning process for the future of the site.
Capital ManagementParking ServicesTransportationDowntownIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy EnvironmentTransportation and Accessibility
WaterWestIn Progress
This water system distribution project is located along Patton Avenue (US-19) between Florida Avenue and Haywood Road. The project includes 7,000 feet of 24-inch waterline along with the installation of a 36-inch incasement pipe for a trenchless crossing of Patton Ave at New Leicester Highway, and other miscellaneous water system components including service connections and other appurtenances.
Parks and RecreationIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy EnvironmentConnected and Engaged CommunityWell-planned and Livable Community
Capital ManagementTransportationNorthIn ProgressTransportation and Accessibility
The City of Asheville received grant funding from the French Broad River Metropolitan Organization (FBRMPO) to conduct a $50,000 feasibility study for the remaining sections of the Reed Creek Greenway.
Parks and RecreationPublic WorksSanitationMontfordIn Progress
Riverside Cemetery and Montford Park are within the Montford Historic District and incurred significant damages as a result of Tropical Storm Helene to retaining walls, stormwater systems, roadways, sinkholes and slope failures, and fencing. Repairs will restore infrastructure, historic elements, and build resilience.
Capital ManagementTransitSouthIn Progress
Stormwater Services and UtilitySouthIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
Over the years, the bottom of the culverts started rusting out in many spots, which has caused a depression in the ground at the walking track, near the Hampton Street side. Temporary repairs have been made in the past, but now it is time for a longer-term solution.
WaterSouthIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy Environment
The City of Asheville Water Resources has received a $2 Million grant to help determine the water service line material on both sides of a water meter – the utility- and customer-owned sections. The grant will allow the City to replace any water service lines that are found to be lead or galvanized iron pipe on both the utility- and customer-owned sections.
Parks and RecreationDowntownIn Progress
Public WorksStormwater Services and UtilityCitywideAccepting InputIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy Environment
Asheville’s Stormwater program has been funded by a stormwater fee for more than 17 years in order to meet the requirements of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Permit and Stormwater Management Plan. In order to better serve our community, the City is proactively assessing our program and identifying areas where improvement is necessitated.
Capital ManagementTransportationDowntownEastIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy EnvironmentTransportation and AccessibilityWell-planned and Livable Community
The City of Asheville’s Transportation Bond project will be engineering and constructing a section of the Swannanoa River Greenway.
Planning and Urban DesignEastCompleteThriving Local Economy
The purpose of the project was to develop a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary master plan intended to celebrate the literary accomplishments of Thomas Wolfe, better integrate the site into the Asheville park system and guide the restoration or rehabilitation of the cabin.
Early in 2022, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, and Dogwood Health Trust formed a collaborative to respond to the increased need, and Dogwood Health Trust offered to fund a consultancy to bring national expertise to the local community to better understand and address the crisis of unsheltered homelessness. The City is serving as the contracting point of contact for this collaborative, and published a Request for Proposals in February 2022 on behalf of the group.
The City Council adopted the Urban Place Form Code District on September 28, 2021. The new zoning district aims to implement the transit-supportive growth strategy that is identified on the Preferred Growth Scenario Map of Living Asheville: A Comprehensive Plan for Our Future.
Parks and RecreationSouthSouthside UnitedIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy EnvironmentWell-planned and Livable Community
In collaboration with the Southside community, the City of Asheville aims to preserve the historic character of Walton Street Pool by retaining key architectural elements and honoring its legacy through a vibrant reimagined use that integrates modern amenities while respecting the pool and bathhouse's historic fabric to serve the surrounding neighborhood and be enjoyed for generations to come.
WaterCitywideIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
The City of Asheville is in the process of replacing all water meters with an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system.
Capital ManagementParks and RecreationFive PointsGrove Park/SunsetJackson ParkNorthNorwood ParkSpears-HenriettaIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
Following improvements to courts, parking, and greenway circulation within Weaver Park, a new playground and ballfield improvements will expand recreation opportunities and continue the modernization of one of Asheville's oldest parks.
Capital ManagementTransportationWestIn Progress
TransportationIn Progress
The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT), in coordination with the City of Asheville, is currently working with a consultant to design a 1.3-mile extension of the Wilma Dykeman Greenway. This new section, formerly known as the North River Arts District (RAD) Greenway, will run along the French Broad River and Riverside Drive (N.C. 251), from Hill Street to Pearson Bridge Road. Once constructed, this greenway will provide a key connection between Asheville’s River Arts District, the existing Wilma Dykeman Greenway, future Town of Woodfin and Buncombe County greenways, the Reed Creek Greenway, and the University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA).
Capital ManagementCommunity and Regional Entertainment FacilitiesEastIn Progress
Code Purple in effect December 3-5