The City of Asheville is moving forward with a sidewalk restoration project on North Lexington Avenue aimed at improving pedestrian safety and accessibility. Funded by the 2024 general obligation bond, the project will focus on the northern section of Lexington Avenue between Woodfin/Hiawassee Street and Walnut Street.
Lexington Avenue is widely recognized for its unique character supported by its iconic brick paver sidewalks. However, years of wear have led to significant deterioration, resulting in loose bricks and patched sections that have become difficult to manage through routine maintenance.
The Lexington Avenue Sidewalk Restoration Project seeks to address these issues through a full replacement of the sidewalks on both sides of the street between Woodfin/Hiawassee Street and Walnut Street. Key project goals include:
- Material Integrity: Replacing current sidewalks with new brick pavers (pending final site and cost analysis) to maintain the street’s aesthetic.
- Modern Accessibility: Ensuring all surfaces, driveway cuts, and curb ramps meet Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
- Urban Canopy: Preserving existing street trees where possible and planting replacements where preservation is not feasible.
Public Engagement Opportunity
The City of Asheville invites the public to attend an upcoming informational engagement session on Thursday, February 26. This session will offer a direct opportunity to view initial renderings of project plans and ask questions of the project team.
Public Presentation and Q&A:
When: February 26
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Where: DSSOLVR, 63 N Lexington Ave.
Light refreshments and activities for kids will be provided. For those unable to attend the in-person meeting, an online feedback opportunity will be made available on the City’s project page.
“This project is about more than just fixing bricks; it’s meant to ensure that one of our community’s most vibrant streets remains safe and accessible for everyone,” says Ashley Haire, the City of Asheville’s Director of Transportation. “We encourage the community to join us at DSSOLVR to learn more about the sidewalk design for North Lexington Avenue.”
Project Timeline
The design phase is expected to conclude in mid-2026, with construction slated to begin before the end of the year.
Project updates will be provided regularly via email to subscribers on the project page.