Tempie Avery Montford Center Complex Improvements Happening Now The City of Asheville is preparing for the construction of the first phase of improvements to the park surrounding the Tempie Avery Montford Center Complex, a recreation center and 17-acre park located at 34 Pearson Drive in the historic Montford neighborhood. Key features of the Tempie Avery Montford Center Complex Improvements Phase I include: New playground Expanded parking New outdoor classroom Room to expand existing orchard New outdoor table tennis New walkways connecting park features Other improvements to City services in the Montford neighborhood during this same time include: Replace tennis courts at Montford Park Replace playground at Magnolia Park Develop site plan for Hummingbird Park and Riverside Cemetery Improvements to the Hazel Robinson Amphitheater by the Montford Park Players Background In 2013, the City completed improvements to the Montford Recreation Center in the gymnasium by adding a new floor, new lights and a fresh coat of paint throughout the gym interior. In 2014, the City developed the Montford Center Complex Master Plan supported by a series of public input opportunities. The plan recommends improvements of the park surrounding the Montford Recreation Center. In 2016, the project was included in the City’s $17 million bond referendum to support park and recreation facilities improvement projects. The bond referendum was approved by Asheville voters resulting in an allocation of $1.7 million for the Montford Center Complex Improvements Phase I. In 2017, the Montford Center was renamed to honor Tempie Avery, a prominent African-American nurse and midwife who lived on the site in the early 1900s. Timeline 2013 Issued Request for Qualifications and selected planning & design consultant for Montford Center Complex Master Plan. Awarded design contract to Site Design Studios located in Asheville Completed Montford Center gym improvements with a new floor, lights, paint, and scoreboard. 2015 Completed Montford Center Complex Master Plan 2016 November: Bond referendum passes including funding to support Montford Center Complex Improvements Phase 1 construction 2017 June: Amended planning & design consultant contract for design services and administration of Montford Center Complex Improvements Phase 1 June-December: Develop design and construction documents 2018 Spring: Complete design and construction documents. Issue request for construction bids and award construction contract. Summer: Groundbreaking ceremony and construction begins. 2019 Winter: Grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. Supporting Documents Montford Center Complex Master Plan Montford Center Complex Improvements Phase I Schematic Design Contact Information Debbie Ivester, Assistant Director 828-259-5800