Downtown Master Plan Updates Happening Now Downtown Public Space Management – We want to hear from you! Staff is working with a Committee of the Downtown Commission on the development of Downtown Public Space Management Guidelines as the first section of updates to the Downtown Master Plan. The Public Space Management Committee is chaired by Andrew Fletcher and generally meets on the first Thursday of the month at 2 p.m. More information about the Downtown Commission and its Committees is here. A survey was available between August 12 and September 23 to get feedback on how downtown public spaces (most specifically streets and sidewalks) are currently used and experienced, and to get input on what priorities should be considered in the guidelines. Programs and issues that the guidelines will ultimately help inform may include street/sidewalk closures, street performances, push carts/vending, outdoor dining and other structures and activities that the City has the ability to manage in public areas. Notice: summary of survey results Notice: full survey results Informed by survey feedback, the Public Space Management Committee is in the process of prioritizing areas of focus and providing input on the development of guidelines. Background The Downtown Master Plan Updates will build on the Downtown Master Plan and Appendices (completed in 2009), to take a deeper dive into specific topics of focus related to the public realm. The Master Plan Updates will help address concerns about management of public spaces, enhancement of community character and expanded options for place-making. The Updates will respond to the growing popularity and number of people experiencing downtown, with goals to expand downtown vitality, facilitate local business and enhance livability while managing growing demands on downtown services and competing interests for use of space. The Downtown Master Plan Updates will result in policy statements, best management procedures, possible UDO changes and downtown corridor/district studies to create better management guidance for downtown. The three sections of the updates include: I. Public Space Management Public space management guidelines Management framework II. Urban Design / Ordinance Updates UDO amendments Zoning map amendments Design Guideline updates Preservation Plan recommendations III. Corridor / District Placemaking and Streetscapes Downtown-wide development/streetscape standards (such as lighting, signage, seating, crosswalks) Consideration of sub-district areas that may have unique elements/standards that pertain to the character area/neighborhood of downtown such as sidewalk patterns, trees, seating and other enhanced place-making Planning for additional green spaces in downtown in order to enhance quality of life and quality experiences Contact Information Dana Frankel, Downtown Specialist 828-251-4051 Todd Okolichany, Planning and Urban Design Director 828-259-5840 Related Services Cold weather emergency shelter When extreme cold weather is expected, the Asheville Homeless Coalition issues a Code Purple Alert. Participating homeless shelters voluntarily add space beyond their normal capacity to keep as many people as possible out of the cold. To find out when Code Purple is in effect, visit the Homeless Coalition’s Code [...] 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. Register as a minority, woman or disabled-owned business Resources for registering your minority, woman or disabled-owned business Find financial support for your Asheville business Learn about financial support that may be available for your business. Find a minority, women or disabled-owned business Resources for finding a minority, women or disabled-owned business. More Related Services Downtown Master Plan Updates News City of Asheville partners with Habitat to provide affordable homes Posted on December 10, 2019December 10, 2019 by Polly McDaniel At a Sept. 6 City Council worksession on affordable housing, experts and City leaders said partnerships are a key component to moving forward as a community on this issue. Several times this past year, the City’s Community and Economic Development Department has partnered with Habitat for Humanity and Mountain Housing Opportunities [...] City of Asheville publishes Affordable Housing Guide Posted on December 5, 2019December 9, 2019 by Polly McDaniel One of the most significant barriers to economic prosperity for America’s lowest-income families is the lack of decent, accessible, and affordable homes. Research shows that when people have stable homes that they can afford, they are better able to find employment, achieve economic mobility, age in place, perform better in school, and maintain improved health. The [...] City of Asheville seeking nominees for Neighborhood Hero Award Posted on November 25, 2019 by Polly McDaniel Many things make a good neighborhood: sidewalks, shady trees and manageable car traffic come to mind. But most of all, it’s the people who take time to know each other, who care about the health, safety and rights of their neighbors, who help and look out for children, elders and others in need. These are [...] More Downtown Master Plan Updates News
Cold weather emergency shelter When extreme cold weather is expected, the Asheville Homeless Coalition issues a Code Purple Alert. Participating homeless shelters voluntarily add space beyond their normal capacity to keep as many people as possible out of the cold. To find out when Code Purple is in effect, visit the Homeless Coalition’s Code [...]
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.
Register as a minority, woman or disabled-owned business Resources for registering your minority, woman or disabled-owned business
Find financial support for your Asheville business Learn about financial support that may be available for your business.
Find a minority, women or disabled-owned business Resources for finding a minority, women or disabled-owned business.
City of Asheville partners with Habitat to provide affordable homes Posted on December 10, 2019December 10, 2019 by Polly McDaniel At a Sept. 6 City Council worksession on affordable housing, experts and City leaders said partnerships are a key component to moving forward as a community on this issue. Several times this past year, the City’s Community and Economic Development Department has partnered with Habitat for Humanity and Mountain Housing Opportunities [...]
City of Asheville publishes Affordable Housing Guide Posted on December 5, 2019December 9, 2019 by Polly McDaniel One of the most significant barriers to economic prosperity for America’s lowest-income families is the lack of decent, accessible, and affordable homes. Research shows that when people have stable homes that they can afford, they are better able to find employment, achieve economic mobility, age in place, perform better in school, and maintain improved health. The [...]
City of Asheville seeking nominees for Neighborhood Hero Award Posted on November 25, 2019 by Polly McDaniel Many things make a good neighborhood: sidewalks, shady trees and manageable car traffic come to mind. But most of all, it’s the people who take time to know each other, who care about the health, safety and rights of their neighbors, who help and look out for children, elders and others in need. These are [...]