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 Sign up for city e-newsletter Receive City News in your inbox! Watch livestream of city council meetings 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. More Related Services Communication and Public Engagement News Asheville City Council continues remote meetings with many ways for public to participate Posted on July 10, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Due to the locally declared State of Emergency and the State Phase 2 Safer at Home order, Asheville City Council continues to hold its meetings remotely via the City’s Public Engagement Hub, which offers multiple ways the public can participate. The agenda for Council’s July 14 meeting is posted at this link. City [...] Neighborhood spotlight: Kenilworth Forest Posted on June 25, 2020June 24, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Neighborhood: Kenilworth Forest. Where is it? Kenilworth Forest is a friendly, established cul-de-sac neighborhood of 100 homes on the east side of lovely Kenilworth Lake. We are just off Tunnel Road. I-240 West brings you to vibrant downtown Asheville in five minutes. Details: Kenilworth Lake was formed in 1925 by “impounding the waters of Ross Creek,” culminating [...] City of Asheville boards and commissions meetings to go virtual in June Posted on June 4, 2020 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville is pleased to announce the return of board and commission meetings beginning in June. All meetings will take place virtually, with the first committee meeting being the Urban Forestry Committee on June 15. All City of Asheville Boards and Commissions meetings were cancelled starting in March due to [...] More Communication and Public Engagement News
Watch livestream of city council meetings 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 City Council continues remote meetings with many ways for public to participate Posted on July 10, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Due to the locally declared State of Emergency and the State Phase 2 Safer at Home order, Asheville City Council continues to hold its meetings remotely via the City’s Public Engagement Hub, which offers multiple ways the public can participate. The agenda for Council’s July 14 meeting is posted at this link. City [...]
Neighborhood spotlight: Kenilworth Forest Posted on June 25, 2020June 24, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Neighborhood: Kenilworth Forest. Where is it? Kenilworth Forest is a friendly, established cul-de-sac neighborhood of 100 homes on the east side of lovely Kenilworth Lake. We are just off Tunnel Road. I-240 West brings you to vibrant downtown Asheville in five minutes. Details: Kenilworth Lake was formed in 1925 by “impounding the waters of Ross Creek,” culminating [...]
City of Asheville boards and commissions meetings to go virtual in June Posted on June 4, 2020 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville is pleased to announce the return of board and commission meetings beginning in June. All meetings will take place virtually, with the first committee meeting being the Urban Forestry Committee on June 15. All City of Asheville Boards and Commissions meetings were cancelled starting in March due to [...]