Southside Recreation Facilities

Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center Improvements

Happening Now

A consultant has been selected to design options for Phase 2 of the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center. The consultant will take the input from the community design meetings held in 2017 and provide options. Once completed, City staff and the consultant will bring these options back to the community for additional input and feedback prior to final design.

The design services contract is scheduled to go to City Council on September 24, 2019.

Background

In a citizen-led process, close to 150 community members participated in a Southside Town Hall Meeting on January 31, 2017. Facilitated by Tyrone Greenlee, Director of Christians for a United Community, participants discussed recreational opportunities for the Southside neighborhood including the location of a new pool for the Southside community, a more attractive Walton Street Park and the next phase for the Grant Southside Center.

On February 28, 2017 the City of Asheville held the first in a series of community meetings where residents participated in a hands-on design exercise to help develop options for the design for Walton Street Park/Pool and Phase 2 of the Grant Southside Center. Additional community design meetings were held on March 7, 9, 18, 21, and 23, 2017. The results were compiled and are being used to guide the development and designs for both properties.

In addition, an online survey was used to gather community input on what services and programs will be featured.

Timeline

2017

Development of facility and park design alternatives by the community
Ongoing outreach to residents 18 and under for input
Consolidation of all proposed design information
Exploration of options available at both properties

2018

Winter: RFQ issued for design consultant, submittals received
Spring: Consultant selected
Summer/Fall: Consultant develops multiple concepts for both properties. Community input on concepts opens.