Vermont Avenue Sidewalk Improvements Bond Project Happening Now Outreach to the community as part of the planning for this bond project has been happening since 2018. Residents were invited to give feedback on design options for this project in October 2018. Using that input, three design concepts will be taken to the neighborhood in June 2019. There will be a public meeting 5:30 to 7 p.m. June 24 at Vance Elementary School, 98 Sulphur Springs Road, and an online survey available on Open City Hall Asheville. This project is scheduled for construction in 2020. Background As part of the bond projects initiative, the City of Asheville is preparing to replace sidewalks on Vermont Avenue in West Asheville. This project focuses on pedestrian enhancements, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements and crosswalk improvements. Vermont Avenue is known for its vibrant Halloween celebration in which many homes are festively decorated. It’s a wider boulevard-style street lined with trees. The sidewalk project, however, poses some challenges. Built many years ago, the Vermont Avenue sidewalk does not conform to current ADA and City standards for width. City sidewalks are required to be a minimum of 5 feet wide. Vermont Avenue also has large trees lining the street. Over time, the tree roots have damaged the existing sidewalks. The trees are now aging, rotting and in decline, and so must be removed. There are also choices to be made in terms of whether to replace the existing sidewalk on both sides of the street, or replace sidewalk on one side of the street and extend it down to West Asheville Park for greater neighborhood connectivity. Under the bond program, $748,000 has been allocated for the Vermont sidewalk bond project. This is enough money to do either of these options but not extend the sidewalk all the way to the park on both sides. Timeline November 2016: Asheville voters pass Transportation bonds 2017: Capital Projects Department forms to manage bond program and capital project initiatives 2018-2019: Vermont Avenue sidewalk improvements planning phase 2019-2020: Vermont Avenue sidewalk improvements design phase 2020: Vermont Avenue sidewalk improvements construction Supporting Documents and Links Capital Projects Transportation and Infrastructure Dashboard Vermont Avenue Project Overview Presentation Online Survey on Open City Hall Asheville Contact Information Lora Sepion, Tranportation Project Manager – Capital Projects 828-575-4385