What we do We are working for you! All departments within the City of Asheville are operating. In the Communication and Public Engagement Department some staff are in a Joint Information Center with County partners, some are in the City’s Area Command and some are working remotely. This is an evolving situation. Our partners in Buncombe County are a great resource for the latest information on our community’s COVID-19 response. To receive emergency texts directly from Buncombe County for breaking health and safety news text BCALERT on your smartphone to 888-777. Sign up for AVL Alerts online for information from the City of Asheville. AVL ! ALERT The Communication & Public Engagement Department (CAPE) is responsible for the city’s strategic communications and coordination of public engagement efforts. Communication responsibilities include media relations, community relations, intergovernmental relations and internal communications. It seeks the best ways for the City to communicate its priorities and achieve its policy objectives, and designs public education and community outreach initiatives to inform citizens and the media about City services, programs and policy. CAPE is also responsible for leading, coordinating or supporting efforts between City of Asheville departments, outside partner agencies and consultants. With a commitment to equity, professionalism, innovation and best practices, the City’s public engagement efforts seek to maximize participant access, understanding and experience. Asheville Government Channel Streaming External Communication Internal Communication Media Relations Neighborhood Services On-Demand City Council Recordings Public Engagement Efforts ConnectCommunication and Public Engagement70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801Mailing AddressPO Box 7148, Asheville, NC 288801Business HoursMonday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.DirectorDawa HitchPhone828-259-5981Additional LinksStaff Directory Related Services Watch a live stream of the City channel View live televised Asheville City Council meetings, at 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Sign up for city e-newsletter Receive City News in your inbox! Explore city data Public datasets and maps are available on the open data portal at data.ashevillenc.gov. Gun safety Learn how to prevent deadly gun accidents and teach your children what to do if they come across a firearm. More Related Services Communication and Public Engagement News Asheville residents invited to take survey about City government Posted on January 7, 2021January 11, 2021 by Polly McDaniel How are we doing, as your City government? The City of Asheville is working with the Polco/National Community Survey company to find out. The National Community Survey captures residents’ opinions on governance and participation, also drilling down to specific issues such as the built environment, community engagement, recreation and wellness, the economy, safety and mobility. Some residents [...] Asheville 2020 in review: Response to pandemic, protests and more Posted on December 28, 2020December 29, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Asheville has not seen a year like 2020 in a hundred years — literally. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Not since the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1919 has the world — including our corner of it — experienced this kind of public health challenge. Working [...] City of Asheville rolls out text message option for public engagement Posted on November 16, 2020November 16, 2020 by Ashley Traynum-Carson As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the country, the City of Asheville looks to implement tools to engage with our residents safely. Most recently, the City began accepting public comments via text (SMS) message. The vast majority of Americans – 96% – now own a cellphone of some kind. In an effort to engage the public [...] More Communication and Public Engagement News
Watch a live stream of the City channel View live televised Asheville City Council meetings, at 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month.
Explore city data Public datasets and maps are available on the open data portal at data.ashevillenc.gov.
Gun safety Learn how to prevent deadly gun accidents and teach your children what to do if they come across a firearm.
Asheville residents invited to take survey about City government Posted on January 7, 2021January 11, 2021 by Polly McDaniel How are we doing, as your City government? The City of Asheville is working with the Polco/National Community Survey company to find out. The National Community Survey captures residents’ opinions on governance and participation, also drilling down to specific issues such as the built environment, community engagement, recreation and wellness, the economy, safety and mobility. Some residents [...]
Asheville 2020 in review: Response to pandemic, protests and more Posted on December 28, 2020December 29, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Asheville has not seen a year like 2020 in a hundred years — literally. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Not since the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1919 has the world — including our corner of it — experienced this kind of public health challenge. Working [...]
City of Asheville rolls out text message option for public engagement Posted on November 16, 2020November 16, 2020 by Ashley Traynum-Carson As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the country, the City of Asheville looks to implement tools to engage with our residents safely. Most recently, the City began accepting public comments via text (SMS) message. The vast majority of Americans – 96% – now own a cellphone of some kind. In an effort to engage the public [...]