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. 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 Buncombe County, City of Asheville launch COVID-19 call center Posted on April 2, 2020April 3, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Over the past few weeks, Buncombe County has received hundreds of inquiries from our community regarding COVID-19. In a close partnership, Buncombe County and the City of Asheville have organized and launched a Ready Team call center, a resource to help answer your COVID-19-related questions. The Ready Team call center is made up of City of [...] Neighborhood spotlight: Redwood Forest Posted on March 27, 2020March 27, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Where is it? Redwood Forest is located in East Asheville off of Tunnel Road on the north and Swannanoa Road on the south, across from the Haw Creek Community. Trinity Presbyterian Church is located on Shawnee Trail on the west side of our community. Details: Redwood Forest comprises approximately 80 families. First homes were built here [...] Neighborhood spotlight: Oakley community Posted on February 27, 2020February 27, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Neighborhood: Oakley. Where is it? Bounded by Sweeten Creek Road, Thompson Street and I-240. Details: Oakley is a very large neighborhood with more than 2,000 homes. It is a diverse community and have many features outside of residences. We have a local library, Oakley Elementary, a fire station, Asheville’s only police substation, a park, Ray Kisiah baseball [...] 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.
Buncombe County, City of Asheville launch COVID-19 call center Posted on April 2, 2020April 3, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Over the past few weeks, Buncombe County has received hundreds of inquiries from our community regarding COVID-19. In a close partnership, Buncombe County and the City of Asheville have organized and launched a Ready Team call center, a resource to help answer your COVID-19-related questions. The Ready Team call center is made up of City of [...]
Neighborhood spotlight: Redwood Forest Posted on March 27, 2020March 27, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Where is it? Redwood Forest is located in East Asheville off of Tunnel Road on the north and Swannanoa Road on the south, across from the Haw Creek Community. Trinity Presbyterian Church is located on Shawnee Trail on the west side of our community. Details: Redwood Forest comprises approximately 80 families. First homes were built here [...]
Neighborhood spotlight: Oakley community Posted on February 27, 2020February 27, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Neighborhood: Oakley. Where is it? Bounded by Sweeten Creek Road, Thompson Street and I-240. Details: Oakley is a very large neighborhood with more than 2,000 homes. It is a diverse community and have many features outside of residences. We have a local library, Oakley Elementary, a fire station, Asheville’s only police substation, a park, Ray Kisiah baseball [...]