Asheville Parks & Recreation offers youth football skills training

  Want to keep your young football player sharp during the time of no sports and social distancing?  Want to start developing skills for the future?  Asheville Parks & Recreation is offering a safe way to make that happen while keeping our community healthy.     We’re offering a Youth Football Skills Training program that includes drills and organized [...]

*** Update *** Suspect arrested in Biltmore Village Shooting

  UPDATED 2:59 p.m. –  Bryant DeAngelo Sanders surrendered to authorities this afternoon at the Buncombe County Courthouse.  He is currently in the custody of the Buncombe County Detention Facility on $700,000 bond.  The original press release from 5:18 AM this morning is below.  The booking photo for Sanders will be released when it becomes available. Asheville Police [...]

***RESCHEDULED***City of Asheville seeks public input in selection of new police chief

UPDATED FEB 24: See updated schedule below. The City of Asheville will hold a community input meeting for selection of Asheville’s next police chief tomorrow morning, Wednesday, February 25 from 8 – 9:30 a.m. at the City Public Works Building located at 161 South Charlotte Street.  Tomorrow’s meeting will replace this morning’s planned input meeting which [...]

2011 Boards and Commission openings offer opportunity for citizen involvement in local government

An Asheville City Council meeting may be the big event for those who follow local government, but meetings of council’s boards and commissions offer plenty of opportunity to participate in crafting city policy. 2011 will see seats becoming available on a wide variety of those boards and commissions, (click here for a PDF of upcoming [...]

2020 Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games cancelled

  The Asheville Parks & Recreation Department announced today that the 2020 Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games, originally scheduled to begin in April then postponed to June, have officially been cancelled.     All registered participants will be issued a refund of their registration fees.  North Carolina State Games are tentatively scheduled for fall 2020 and all participants currently registered in [...]

ABC Board launches PSA against underage drinking

On Thursday June 10, the Asheville ABC Board, in conjunction with 12 other boards across NC, launched an underage drinking prevention campaign in Asheville. At a press conference at the Grove Park Inn, ABC Board members unveiled a new public service announcement encouraging parents to reduce teen drinking by staying involved with their children.   The press [...]

Air quality grant funds fire engine emission reduction upgrades

Twenty fire engines from departments throughout Buncombe County – including four trucks from the Asheville Fire Department – have been outfitted with equipment that drastically cuts back on their emissions of particulate matter, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. The upgrades, announced November 19 at Fire Station One in downtown Asheville, come thanks to a $31,500 North Carolina [...]

Aloft hotel opening marks great public/private partnership

Beneath the bright and festive décor of the Aloft Hotel, which marked its grand opening Thursday, lies the City of Asheville’s most recent addition to its parking facilities. The 404-space parking garage is the fourth downtown deck operated by the City of Asheville and was built at considerable savings to the city thanks to a [...]

APD continues graffiti enforcement with arrests in RAD

The Asheville Police Department demonstrated continued enforcement efforts this past weekend to address graffiti in the area of Lyman St., Roberts St. and Clingman Ave.  During the special operation, numerous officers observed four subjects enter the fenced area around Dave Steel property at 2:15 AM on Saturday morning. The subjects began painting a large graffiti mural [...]

Applications accepted for Housing Trust Fund

The City of Asheville Community & Economic Development Department is now accepting applications for funding from the City of Asheville’s Housing Trust Fund. Funding is available for affordable housing development, rehabilitation, or preservation of affordable housing units within Asheville’s city limits. The Housing Trust Fund was created in 2000 to provide a source of local [...]

Apply now: City of Asheville has openings on nine committees

  Do you want to have a voice in the City of Asheville’s growth and future? Have you wondered, “Can the City benefit from my experience and knowledge?” If you’ve answered yes to these questions, here are some opportunities for you to get involved and provide local leadership. The City of Asheville has openings on nine committees [...]

April 14 Asheville City Council meeting to be held following CDC, state and local guidelines  

  Top priority is to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while conducting City business   On April 14, Asheville City Council will hold a 3 p.m. budget work session and its regular 5 p.m. meeting. The agenda is posted at this link April 10. As the City of Asheville continues to work through the COVID-19 public [...]

ART Service Alert

UPDATE 3:00PM Route S4 is now up and running. We will update as road conditions improve.   UPDATE 9:10AM Some ART routes are back in service. We will update you as City crews continue working on the roads. The following routes/locations will not be able to be accessed until conditions improve: 170 – No Haw Creek S5 – No River Ridge S4 not [...]

ART Station construction impacts begin on Monday, Sept. 16

ART Station construction impacts begin on Monday, Sept. 16. These include: Temporary ADA ramp constructed where N3/170 currently board. These buses will load on Asheland Avenue. On Tues, Sept. 17, ticketing, bathrooms, and the passenger waiting areas will be relocated to the temporary mobile units next to the Transit Center. W1, W2, N3, and 170 will board [...]

ART system gets nine new buses

Upgrades to Asheville’s transit fleet continue with the replacement of nine buses with newer models. The new buses, two hybrids and seven diesels, began partial service this week and are expected to be in full operation within the next ten days. The streamlined models are expected to reduce repair costs and fuel expenses as the City [...]

Asheville ‘Festivals & Events’ guide connects small businesses to vending opportunities

  Asheville hosts a wide variety of special events and festivals across the City’s outdoor public spaces. A new booklet, “City of Asheville Outdoor Public Space 2018 Festivals & Events,” serves as a guide to 70 of the 200 or so of them. But it’s more than a listing of what to do on weekends in [...]

Asheville administrative offices closed May 25 for Memorial Day

Asheville city government offices will be closed Monday, May 25, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. All City of Asheville Parks and Recreation Department recreation centers will be closed. The following specialized recreation facilities will be open: city parks, the Riverside Cemetery, Asheville Golf Course, Food Lion Skate Park, Aston Park Tennis Center, Recreation Park [...]

Asheville awarded $4.6 million by TDA to complete the RADTIP Project

Left to right are TPDF Committee Chair Robert Foster, Mayor Esther Manheimer, BCTDA Chair Jim Muth and Explore Asheville President & CEO Stephanie Brown.   The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) voted at its regular Oct. 25 board meeting  to increase its investment in the City of Asheville’s Riverfront Redevelopment Program. The board voted to invest $4.6 [...]

Asheville Chief Finance Officer accepts new position on West Coast

  City Chief Finance Officer Barbara Whitehorn has accepted a position as Finance Director  with the City of San Bernardino, Calif., and will leave the City of Asheville Jan. 15.  Under her direction for the past seven years, the City of Asheville and the Finance Department have improved policies and procedures and have many noteworthy accomplishments including:   [...]

Asheville Chief Information Officer accepts new position in Wake County Government

Chief Information Officer Jonathan Feldman has accepted a position as Chief Information Officer with Wake County Government in Raleigh, North Carolina and will leave the City of Asheville Oct. 14. During his seventeen year tenure, the City of Asheville became an early adopter of cloud-based technology, cybersecurity was enhanced and the diversity of the Information Technology [...]

Asheville chosen as site for U.S. Tennis Association 2018 first round Fed Cup

In a Nov. 14 press conference at the U.S. Cellular Center, the U.S. Tennis Association just announced that Asheville has been chosen as site for U.S. Tennis Association 2018 first round Fed Cup Feb. 10-11. Tickets for U.S. Tennis Association 2018 first round Fed Cup in Asheville go on sale to the general public this Friday, Nov. 17.   The [...]

Asheville City Council approves Commonwealth Golf Partners as new operator of the Municipal Golf Course

On August 23, 2022, the Asheville City council voted unanimously to approve Commonwealth Golf Partners II – Asheville LLC (CGP) as the new operator of Asheville’s historic 1927 Donald Ross designed Municipal Golf Course.  CGP will assume operations of the course beginning October 1, 2022 replacing the current operator, Pope Golf LLC, whose contract expires [...]

Asheville City Council approves putting bond referendums to voters

Package would pay for transportation and recreation infrastructure as well as affordable housing projects   Asheville City Council voted to put three bond referendums totaling $74 million before Asheville voters in the November general election. At their Aug. 9 meeting, councilmembers voted unanimously to take the next step in getting the bond referendums on the ballot. The three bond referendums [...]

Asheville City Council continues remote meetings and here’s how to participate

For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the 5 p.m. Jan. 12 City Council meeting.  Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in the Council meeting. This meeting can be accessed through the City’s Virtual Engagement Hub.

Asheville City Council continues remote meetings and here’s how to participate

    For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the 5 p.m. Feb. 9 City Council meeting.  Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in the Council meeting. This meeting can be accessed through the City’s Virtual [...]

Asheville City Council continues remote meetings and here’s how you can participate

    Top priority is the safety of our community and to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while conducting City business   The May 26 Asheville City Council meeting will be held remotely. Due to the locally declared State of Emergency and the State Phase 2 Safer at Home order, there will be no public attendance at [...]

Asheville City Council continues remote meetings in June and here’s how you can participate

  Top priority is the safety of our community and to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while conducting City business   The June 9 Asheville City Council meeting will be held remotely. Due to the locally declared State of Emergency and the State Phase 2 Safer at Home order, there will be no public attendance at [...]

Asheville City Council continues remote meetings with many ways for public to participate

    The June 23 Asheville City Council meeting will be held remotely. Due to the locally declared State of Emergency and the State Phase 2 Safer at Home order, there will be no public attendance at this meeting. This includes news media.     The agenda is posted at this link.  City Council wants our [...]

Asheville City Council continues remote meetings with new public comment procedure

    Due to the State and locally declared States of Emergency, there will be no public attendance at City Council meetings.    While we are Staying Safer at Home, City Council still wants you to have the opportunity to participate in the decisions of your government. There are three options for providing public comment. [...]

Asheville City Council continues remote meetings, will hold proposed hotel development regulations work session prior to regular meeting

    While the City of Asheville will reopen its public-facing offices in a limited capacity Oct. 12, for safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the Oct. 13 City Council meeting. Prior to the 5 p.m. meeting, Council will hold a 2:30 p.m. work session on [...]

Asheville City Council makes Board of Education appointments

  At their March 26 meeting, Asheville City Council unanimously reappointed current Asheville City Board of Education Chair Shaunda Sandford and Vice Chair Martha Geitner. Each of them will serve additional four-year terms to expire in 2023. The Council also voted to appoint James Carter to complete the current term of James E. Lee III, who was [...]

Asheville City Council passes FY23 budget with key investments in top priorities.

At its June 28 meeting Asheville City Council passed the City Managers recommended budget with a 6 to 1 vote.  The $217 million budget is based on internal work, community input and Council priorities, and reflects the long term strategies and continuation of the reimagining public safety process. 

Asheville City Council to hold budget work session prior to April 27 meeting 

  UPDATE: Due to technical difficulties, today’s (April 27) City Council budget work session and meeting will not be available on Charter/Spectrum Channel 193. You can watch City Council meetings live stream through the City’s Virtual Engagement Hub or via the City’s YouTube channel.       For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville [...]

Asheville City Council to hold budget work session prior to March 23 meeting 

    For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain virtual at this time. That includes the March 23 City Council meeting. In addition to the 5 p.m. meeting Council will hold a 2:30 p.m. budget work session.   March 23 will be the second budget work session for the 2021-2022 budget. The [...]

Asheville City Council to hold budget work session prior to March 9 meeting 

  For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the March 9 City Council meeting. In addition to the 5 p.m. meeting Council will hold a 1 p.m. budget work session.   March 9 will be the first budget work session for the 2021-2022 budget. [...]

Asheville City Council to hold called meeting April 28

    Asheville City Council will hold a special called meeting at 5 p.m. April 28 to consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for and receive funds from Federal Emergency Management Agency funding to recover costs  associated with the COVID-19 pandemic event and to designate the applicant agents.  You can find related documents

Asheville City Council to host community conversation concerning short term rentals

There is a growing conversation in Asheville regarding short term rentals and Asheville City Council wants to hear what the community thinks. City Council will host a community conversation Wednesday, March 25 in the banquet room of the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville. The event begins at 5 p.m. with an informal opportunity to converse [...]

Asheville City Council urges community to stay safe, not engage with outside protesters

  Members of our community,   We are aware of possible protests planned for this weekend by groups who do not live here or support the work we are doing in Asheville.    We, as a Council, want to encourage residents to refrain from planning counter protests. Some protestors will likely be carrying weapons and have stated that they “plan [...]

Asheville City offices to close for MLK Jr. Day, ART buses will run on a holiday schedule

  Asheville City government offices will be closed Jan. 18 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Here is a look at City services affected by this holiday.   Trash and recycling Though City offices will be closed, Sanitation Services will run on schedule. Residential trash and recycling will be collected as normal on [...]

Asheville Code Purple extended into February

    With overnight temperatures persisting in the 20s and teens this week, the Homeless Coalition has extended its Code Purple for Asheville and Buncombe County nightly Feb. 1-4. Here is a look at the Asheville weather forecast.   Please encourage people to seek safe shelter from the cold. The CODE PURPLE effort stems from the collaborative work of the Homeless [...]

Asheville Community and Economic Development disperses over $3 million to local businesses during COVID-19

The City of Asheville may not be open physically, but City Staff are working hard to ensure that projects are moving forward and businesses are supported. As an example, the Community Development Division (CD), in partnership with the City’s Finance Department, has disbursed over $3 million to local businesses and nonprofits [...]

Asheville Fire Department accepting applications for Citizens Fire Academy

The Asheville Fire Department is accepting applications for its Citizens Fire Academy, which will start March 27.   The academy lasts nine consecutive weeks consisting of three hour classes held on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. with an additional day for graduation.   The Citizens Fire Academy teaches adult residents 18 years and older about the [...]

Asheville Fire Department joins Buncombe County search and rescue team on standby for Tropical Storm Isaias

  The Asheville Fire Department assembled a team of eight firefighters to join the Buncombe County Task Force 2 Urban Search and Rescue Team (BCTF2 USAR) on a deployment assignment to Kinston, N.C., for standby to assist in emergency support due to probable effects of Tropical Storm Isaias. Isaias is projected to make landfall off the [...]

Asheville Fire Department maintains accreditation status

 The Asheville Fire Department learned that the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) unanimously approved to grant them accredited status at a public hearing this week in Orlando, Fla.   Accreditation is a comprehensive self-assessment and evaluation that enables the department to examine service delivery and compare it to the industry standards. It [...]

Asheville Fire Department: Thanksgiving leading day for house fires; here are tips to prevent them

  As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing that large family feast, remember, by following a few simple safety tips you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire.   Top 10 safety tips Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep [...]

Asheville government offices to close for holidays

ART transit service suspended on Dec. 25, to operate on holiday schedule Jan. 1 Asheville City government offices will be closed Dec. 24, 25 and 28 and Jan. 1 in observance of the winter holiday break and New Year’s Day. The following is a roundup of services affected by holiday closures. ART transit service City bus service will [...]

Asheville greenway committee seeks new members

The City of Asheville Greenway Committee is seeking two new members to begin serving in the fall of 2015. The mission of the City of Asheville’s Greenway Committee is to advise the Multimodal Transportation Commission and City staff on implementation of a system of greenways within Asheville by integrating City and County Parks and Transportation plans [...]

Asheville Holiday Parade returns — and here’s your guide to the fun

The 2022 Asheville Holiday Parade, presented by Bojangles, returns to downtown this Saturday, November 19, beginning at 11 a.m.  Produced by the Asheville Downtown Association in partnership with the City of Asheville, the parade features more than 75 entries including marching bands, dance and cheer squads, youth sports, nonprofits,  businesses and of course [...]

Asheville in Motion design charrettes open process to public

A series of charrettes planned for March 11-13 will give the community a chance to interface with the team designing a city-wide mobility plan. Asheville in Motion is an initiative to create a vision that considers all forms of travel and transport into one design. The charrettes, held at the Renaissance Hotel in Asheville, will give [...]

Asheville joins hundreds of mayors in opposing Clean Power Plan repeal

  This week, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer joined more than 200 mayors from across the United States to express her support for the Clean Power Plan (CPP) — an essential public health protection and climate change solution that sets the first-ever federal limits on carbon pollution from power plants and helps cities transition to a [...]

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer releases statement

  Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer shares this statement with our community Jan. 19:   “We have been getting questions about safety leading up to the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden, following FBI reports of the potential for national unrest and violence at state capitols.”   “We want to assure everyone that the City of Asheville is coordinating any needed law [...]

Asheville narrows police chief search to four finalists

  Original post Four candidates have been selected as finalists in Asheville’s search for a Chief of Police. They are: Robert Buckman: Chief Deputy of the Loudoun County, Va., Sheriff Office Operations Bureau, Lt. Colonel Buckman has been with the department 33 years. He leads 400 people in the Operations Bureau, including 360 sworn deputies in the Special [...]

Asheville neighborhoods invited to participate in ‘Plan on a Page’

For neighborhoods interested in participating in the City of Asheville’s upcoming Comprehensive Plan update we’re pleased to announce that there’s plenty of time. The contract for a consultant to guide the City through the process has not yet been awarded so neighborhoods have not missed out on any opportunities to participate in the process. Besides informational [...]

Asheville Open Tennis Tournament wins state award

  The Asheville Parks & Recreation Department is pleased to announce that the 2019 Asheville Open Tennis Tournament is the recipient of the United States Tennis Association – North Carolina chapter Tournament of the Year Award in the Adult/Senior category.    A Tournament of the Year Award is given in recognition of “a USTA [...]

Asheville parking garages now feature electric vehicle charging stations

John Himmelheber of West Asheville charges his Ford C-Max energi hybrid at the top of the Wall Street Parking Garage. He said he is pleased to learn of its installation.     Need a jolt? If you park your electric vehicle at one of three City of Asheville parking garages you can charge your car while you are dining [...]

Asheville Parks & Recreation accepting art submissions for Black Legacy Month pop-up gallery

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) invites local artists of all mediums to submit pieces to display during a pop-up gallery celebrating Black Legacy Month from Feb 17-28 at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center . Participants should register online at https://bit.ly/APR_Call_for_Artists and drop off submissions between Feb. 13-16. [...]

Asheville Parks & Recreation announces Holiday Camp for children and teens

  Spend your holidays with us!  Asheville Parks & Recreation will hold its annual Holiday Camp for youth and teens in grades kindergarten through middle school. Camps are located at the Tempie Avery Montford Center, 34 Pearson Drive, and Stephens-Lee Community Center. 30 George Washington Carver Ave.     Camp hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 23, [...]

Asheville Parks & Recreation announces promotions

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) has announced a number of promotions within the department as community demand for high-quality public recreation spaces, leisure and cultural programming, and youth and adult sports increases following years of slimmed-down operations during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. These well-earned promotions reinforce APR’s vision to be North Carolina’s [...]

Asheville Parks & Recreation community center schedule changes for staff training

Some Asheville Parks & Recreation community centers plan to close or operate on abbreviated schedules the week of June 5, 2023. These planned changes allow for the training of team members supervising sold-out summer camps.   Closed June 5-9 Burton Street Community Center Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. [...]

Asheville Parks & Recreation opens public pools on May 27

UPDATE as of May 26, 2023 Malvern Hills Park’s pool will open on Saturday, May 27, as previously announced.   During initial inspections, Buncombe County Environmental Health discovered potential safety issues at Recreation Park pool and requested additional actions before it will open for the season. Asheville Parks & Recreation crews immediately started working with [...]

Asheville Parks & Recreation team members on the move

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) continues to grow its team of professionals with internal promotions and external hires to meet the community’s demand for high-quality public parks and recreation centers, programming that exercises the body and mind, and safe spaces that connect neighbors and build resiliency. These well-earned promotions support APR’s vision [...]

Asheville Parks & Recreation’s summer program guide offers something for everyone

With summer just around the corner, Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) released its seasonal program guide this week with a bit of everything for everyone including fitness classes, sports and clubs, arts and culture programs, activities for kids and teens, outdoor recreation opportunities, special events, and more. The free guide is available online at [...]

Asheville Planning & Urban Design Director accepts new position with Metro Nashville Government

Asheville Planning & Urban Design Director Todd Okolichany has accepted a position as Deputy Executive Director of the Planning Department in Metro Nashville, TN government and will leave the City of Asheville January 27, 2023. During his tenure with the City of Asheville, Todd was instrumental in managing several projects that will have long lasting impacts [...]

Asheville Police accepting applications for fall Citizen’s Policy Academy

The Asheville Police Department invites residents to apply for the fall semester of the Citizen’s Police Academy. This free program gives participants insight into the philosophy and policies that govern the Asheville Police Department’s service to the community. The class is designed to give residents an appreciation for the problems and challenges facing law enforcement, [...]

Asheville Police Department releases use of force data

    In a continuing effort to increase transparency and provide the community with access to data, the Asheville Police Department has worked in partnership with several community members to release use of force data online through the City of Asheville Open data Portal.   The data will include all records on/after Jan. 1, 2018. The data [...]

Asheville Police Department swears in five new officers

On July 8, the Asheville Police Department swore in five new officers. These officers were the most recent graduates of the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) course. The 620-hour course is spread over 16 weeks. Training is comprised of 36 separate blocks of instruction to include topics such as firearms, driver training, motor vehicle law, [...]

Asheville Police Department to host new Junior Police Academy

    The Asheville Police Department is excited to announce the first offering of a Junior Police Academy. This new program is designed for youth ages 14-19 who have a serious interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement.   Topics will include criminal law, investigations, narcotics, patrol/arrest techniques, and physical training. All classes are designed to incorporate both [...]

Asheville Police Department: Business owner example of community policing effort

The Asheville Police Department presented business owner Russell Wood with a certificate of appreciation Wednesday, Sept. 1 in thanks for information he provided that resulted in Tuesday’s successful apprehending of Kenneth E. Allison. Wood, owner of Remax Advantage Realty, alerted police on Aug. 30 that Allison had visited his office the day before and had been [...]

Asheville Police opens registration for fall Citizens Police Academy

  The Asheville Police Department invites residents to apply for the fall semester of the Citizens Police Academy (CPA). This free course teaches participants about the philosophies, policies and guiding principles of law enforcement and the ethical conduct governing police services in the community. It gives participants an opportunity to appreciate and better understand the problems [...]

Asheville Police: Keep packages secure during holiday season

APD charges two in package theft  On Dec. 5, the Asheville Police Department received a report of a package theft in South Asheville. The witness was able to provide a vehicle description and officers located the suspects. Tiffany Olean Smith (33), of Candler, was charged with misdemeanor larceny. Jeffrey Alan Frady (48), of Arden, was charged [...]

Asheville Public Works ready to clear streets of snow

UPDATED, Jan. 8: Asheville receives dusting of snow, City offices open Original post, Jan. 6: Asheville’s Streets Division is ready for the snow! Asheville Public Works prepped all snow removal equipment this week and staff are ready to begin salting and plowing streets once accumulation begins.   All Streets Division trucks are equipped to double [...]

Asheville receives dusting of snow, City offices open

  While predicted snow moved in overnight, so far Asheville has only received a dusting and roads remain clear, with the exception of a few icy spots. City of Asheville facilities will open on the schedule we have been following under guidelines for the COVID pandemic.   City Streets crews were out monitoring and treating streets as needed [...]

Asheville Recreation Advisory Board recruits new members

The City of Asheville is accepting applications for the Recreation Advisory Board, a citizen advisory board to city staff and City Council on matters pertaining to the operation of park facilities and recreation programs within the City of Asheville, to make policy recommendations to the City Council, and to carry out duties as may be [...]

Asheville residents asked to bag leaves in sturdy paper

  Dear Asheville, We’d like you to offer you a new solution for leaf collection this season: paper bags! They are so totally useful — compostable and more eco-friendly. Below is a guide on how to use them effectively, with as little hassle as possible to you, our residents. Thank you, City of Asheville   Q&A Question: Why use paper bags for leaf [...]

Asheville SkatePark to close while plaza area is installed

  Improvements will begin at the Asheville SkatePark on June 8.  The building located inside the park will be demolished and removed and a new concrete plaza will be built in the cleared space. The project is planned to take approximately four weeks, depending on weather conditions. The skatepark will be closed for the duration of [...]

Asheville storm runoff mapped to Mississippi River

Have you ever wondered where the water in the French Broad River goes? Or where it comes from, for that matter?   A new tool created by the City of Asheville Stormwater Services GIS team titled “Wandering Your Watershed” maps out the waterflow — from its many local tributaries, to the Tennessee River, then through [...]

Asheville street performers brochure provides guidelines

Asheville guitarist Adi grooves at the Flat Iron sculpture, one of two high-impact areas identified for the City’s street performers pilot program.     From string bands to celestial hammered dulcimer sounds, music emanates from many downtown Asheville sidewalks. So much so, Asheville’s street performer scene is part of our brand as a city. Now a new brochure [...]

Asheville streets reopen, following flooding from Tropical Storm Zeta

  As rain from Tropical Storm Zeta moves eastward, Asheville Fire Department reports that  flooding is receding in most locations. The Swannanoa River crested around 2 p.m. Thursday, and the French Broad River should crest around 8 p.m. Thursday. So while most roads have reopened there may continue to be road closures until the waters recede, perhaps [...]

Asheville Transit seeking input on Route 170 to Black Mountain

The City of Asheville Transit Planning Division is discontinuing service to Warren Wilson College due to a loss of funding and considering other changes to the Asheville Redefines Transit (ART) bus Route 170 to Black Mountain.  Some of the other possible changes to the ART Route 170 include: Reducing the number of trips to Black Mountain. Changing [...]

Asheville velodrome getting a makeover

 Photo courtesy of VeloSports Racing Team and Boyd Cycling Ring of Fire     Attention bicyclists who use the velodrome in Carrier Park: The velodrome renovation is about to begin. The great news: We’re going to have a better-than-ever velodrome for our community when the project is completed. The other news: There will inevitably be some down time for bicyclists [...]

Asheville voters approve bonds; now improvements can begin

When it comes to improving our infrastructure for transportation, parks and recreation facilities and affordable housing opportunities, Asheville voters made their mandate clear at the polls on November 8, Election Day. By an overwhelming margin, Asheville residents said yes to all three bond questions put before them on the ballot. The general obligation referenda will generate [...]

Asheville water outages scheduled

The City of Asheville Water Resources Department has several water interruptions scheduled this week: July 6-7, 9 p.m. to 6 p.m.: North District, the affected areas are Merrimon Avenue from Larchmont Drive, to Lakeshore Drive and from Lakeshore Drive to Red Oak Road, Also to included Sandon Drive, Sandon Circle, Colonial Place, Horizon Hill , Cambridge Road, [...]

Asheville Way Awards shine light on employee excellence

Streamlining services, innovative problem solving, even saving lives — some of the City of Asheville’s exemplary employees were recognized April 17 at the Asheville Way Awards ceremony. The annual event, held in the Banquet Hall of the U.S. Cellular Center, recognizes those employees who uphold the values of the Asheville Way:  Continuous Improvement, Integrity, Diversity, [...]

Asheville youth attend Asheville Fire Department camp

On Friday, June 18, Asheville Fire Department wrapped up its first annual fire camp for kids. The day camp, which was held June 16-18 at the Asheville Firefighters Association Camp off Clayton Road, gave 18 boys and girls the opportunity to learn more about the tools and skills firefighters use, and even let them get [...]

Asheville’s leaf season is upon us and there is a change this year

Because of a dry spring and summer, Asheville should see a spectacular fall leaf season, according to Western Carolina University’s autumnal season prognosticator Kathy Mathews. Peak color could come to the City of Asheville by the middle of October this year. And as the trees put on their fall fireworks show, they’ll begin to shed those [...]

Ashley Traynum-Carson named Interim Neighborhood Services Coordinator

Ashley Traynum-Carson, Interim Neighborhood Services Coordinator, has a passion for working with neighborhoods that stems back to her childhood. She vividly recalls walking around the neighborhood with her grandparents and feeling a sense of pride and a real connection to where she lived, a feeling that she believes every citizen should have. “I firmly believe [...]

Assistant City Manager departing for Johnson City, TN

Assistant City Manager Cathy Ball has accepted a position as City Manager with Johnson City, TN. Her last day of service in Asheville will be November 10, 2021.    Ball has served the Asheville community for 24 years in several key roles, including Transportation Director, Public Works Director, and Assistant City Manager. In 2018, she served as [...]

Aston Park Tennis Center to host Tricks and Treats Tennis Tournament

Costumes are welcomed and encouraged for a fall doubles tennis tournament at Aston Park Tennis Center, 336 Hilliard Ave., Oct. 26-27.     The cost for tournament participants is $20/person for one event or $30/person for two events. Spectators are free!   Schedule of events – Two Divisions per day, 3.5 and below, 4.0 and above Oct. 26, 9 a.m. – [...]

Be bear wise: Keep them out of your yard by reducing their exposure to food sources

  With spring, Buncombe County bears get on the move. Normally shy, they’re hungry and they have baby bears to feed. Problem bears are rare in the City of Asheville. But the City is getting calls about some bears getting into trash cans. More than a third of the calls N.C. Wildlife Resources get about bears statewide come [...]

Big blue bin boosts recycling 87%

  City of Asheville residents stepped up their recycling game in a big way following the introduction of “Big Blue,” the 96-gallon carts rolled out in April, with a whopping 87 percent increase in recyclables collected over April 2011. April was the first full month of implementation of the Zero Waste AVL Recycling Program, with 28,000 homes [...]

Biltmore Garage to temporarily close on April 11 through April 25, alternate parking arrangements available

Update: The temporary closure of Biltmore Avenue Garage has been changed to April 11, 2023, through April 25, 2023. The Biltmore Avenue Garage will remain open to monthly parking permit holders and hourly parkers until April 11, 2023. The dates were changed due to a shortage in critical materials needed by the contractor to proceed [...]

Brush collection schedule to change July 1

In an effort to conserve costs and use city resources more efficiently, the frequency of brush collection will change from twice per month to once per month beginning July 1. Revised brush collection schedules will be mailed to residents over the next few days. New schedules can also be viewed and downloaded on the City’s website [...]

Buncombe Street becomes 2-way as county garage opening nears

The new Buncombe County Parking Garage is expected to open towards the end of February or the first part of March. The garage is part of a new county building adjacent to Coxe Avenue.   As the new Buncombe County Parking Garage nears completion, City of Asheville Transportation Department staff recently established a new traffic pattern along [...]

Burton Street Neighborhood Profile

The Burton Street Community Association, established in 1967 as the Burton Street Advisory Board, was formed for the purpose of promoting the educational, social, economic and cultural welfare of its members, improving the neighborhood through democratic citizen participation and involvement in activities which affect our everyday lives. The Burton Street neighborhood, founded in 1911 by [...]

Butterflies return to WNC Nature Center on Saturday

The summer months will see the WNC Nature Center hosting more than 20 species of butterflies and moths for the center’s highly-anticipated Beauty of the Butterfly exhibit. The exhibit opens on Saturday, June 26 as part of the center’s Nectar Collector Day and will run through August 24. The popular exhibit allows WNC Nature Center visitors [...]

Carrier Park velodrome to be resurfaced

Hello Asheville bicyclists! Do you use the velodrome in Carrier Park? Then you’ll want to know about upcoming improvements to the track. At its Jan. 24 meeting, Asheville City Council authorized City Manager Gary Jackson to begin this project with an engineering contract. That kicks off the velodrome resurfacing project, slated for completion sometime this fall. Parks [...]

CAYLA students earn $133,000 in scholarships, incoming class larger thanks to community support

23 students who participated in the City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy, 10 of whom are graduating high school seniors, have earned a total of $133,000 in academic scholarships this year. And thanks to donations from outside supporters, the size of the 2010/2011 class will increase by 10 students. The City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy [...]

City Council’s scheduled Dec. 21 meeting cancelled

This meeting has now been cancelled.   The Asheville City Council will hold a special meeting in the Council Chamber, Second Floor of City Hall, at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21.   Council will immediately go into closed session to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, or conditions of appointment of an individual public officer or employee pursuant [...]

City has openings on Civic Center Commission and Haywood Street Advisory Team

The City of Asheville currently has openings on two committees. Have you ever wanted to make a difference? Have you wondered, “Can the City benefit from my experience and knowledge?” Do you want to have a voice in the City’s growth and future? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to take that initial [...]

City launches inaugural Winter Lights Downtown

The Winter Lights Downtown display in Pack Square Park West features a sequence of 7 colors shining on 8 trees.   The City of Asheville launched an exciting new holiday light display this season called Winter Lights Downtown. The seasonally bright display is centered around the Vance Monument and Hoss Haley fountain area of Pack Square Park, [...]

City of Asheville addresses homelessness on many fronts

Key Takeaways Homelessness is a community-wide issue that requires a community-wide response.  The City is responding daily while also working with partners on longer term solutions to address homelessness.  Community opinions differ on best approaches. City continues to address criminal behavior as well as increased monitoring and clean-up of parks and other public property. City has procedures it implements [...]

City of Asheville and Buncombe County announce public engagement opportunities and events to inform the Pack Square Plaza Visioning Project

The public is invited to learn more about the Pack Square Plaza Visioning Project and to provide input that helps create a shared vision for the future of the area.  The public is invited to help shape the future of Western North Carolina’s most central civic space by attending one or more special engagement events for [...]

City of Asheville and Buncombe County Community Reparations Commission meets August 15, 2022

The next meeting of the Community Reparations Commission will take place 6:00 p.m. Monday, August 15, 2022 at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Banquet Hall at 87 Haywood Street.  The Commission meeting agenda is posted at this link. The Community Reparations Commission is empowered to make short, medium, and long-term recommendations that will make significant progress toward [...]

City of Asheville and Buncombe County postpone Art in Heart kick off due to weather

Pardon our Delay! Due to weather conditions this weekend, the kick off for Art in the Heart will be delayed. But don't worry, you'll still get a chance to see all the exciting art and local artists participating in the program.  Please keep checking our website, as we will update it with the new schedule.  

City of Asheville announces 2010 Bele Chere music lineup

The City of Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department is pleased to announce the musical lineup for the 2010 Bele Chere Festival held July 23-25 in Downtown Asheville. Click here for the 2010 Bele Chere entertainment schedule. The weekend will feature 43 musical acts over four stages throughout the festival, many of which call Western North [...]

City of Asheville announces Ben Woody to serve as Assistant City Manager

Asheville City Manager, Debra Campbell, is pleased to announce that Ben Woody, who has served as the Interim Assistant City Manager since June, has accepted the position of Assistant City Manager.   Ben will carry out administrative duties while also assisting the City Manager with the direction and coordination of activities of assigned City department directors, as [...]

City of Asheville announces Biltmore Avenue Striping Plan

City of Asheville will take a phased approach to the addition of bike lanes on Biltmore Ave.   Addressing the public at City Council on August 23, City Manager Debra Campbell took time to clarify the delay to the plan and steps forward for the Biltmore restriping project, but also reiterated the City’s commitment [...]

City of Asheville announces Fourth of July holiday schedule

    In observance of the Fourth of July holiday, which is on a Saturday this year, City of Asheville offices will be closed July 3. ART bus service will operate on a reduced holiday schedule July 4. The Fourth of July holiday is one of six holidays throughout the calendar year that ART offers bus service. For [...]

City of Asheville announces Holly Barham to serve as Information Technology Services Director

Asheville City Manager, Debra Campbell, is pleased to announce that Holly Barham, who has served as the Interim Director of Information Technology Services (ITS) since October 2022, has accepted the position of Information Technology Services Director. Holly will oversee a team of 27 responsible for providing high-level customer service and quality technical deliverables with professionalism and [...]

City of Asheville announces In-Person agenda briefing worksessions to begin this month

On February 23, 2023, Asheville City Council will begin holding in-person agenda briefing worksessions on the Thursday prior to each of the formal City Council meetings. These sessions, which will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the 1st Floor North Conference Room of City Hall, are open to the public and available to view via live-stream [...]

City of Asheville announces new Division Manager for Community Development, Dennis Newburn

The City of Asheville welcomes Dennis Newburn to its Community and Economic Development department. Newburn will serve as Community Development Division Manager and manage the HOME and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Programs. He brings extensive experience in the areas of program administration, project management, contract compliance, program monitoring, and community planning.   Newburn comes to Asheville [...]

City of Asheville announces projects funded by BCTDA Tourism Product Development Fund

The City of Asheville is pleased to announce projects that have received funding from the BCTDA Tourism Product Development Fund. Funding was announced at the Tourism Development Authority Board meeting on October 26. All four of the city’s applications received funding, with the top three priorities receiving funding at 100% of the requested amount. [...]

City of Asheville announces recipients of racial healing mini grants

The City of Asheville is glad to announce the recipients of the first Asheville racial healing mini-grants. The City received 34 applications, of those eight were selected. The intent of the racial healing grants are to invest in projects already established in the community. The mini-grants represent a total community investment of almost $40,000.

City of Asheville announces Strategic Partnership Grant Pilot: Supporting school aged children

The City of Asheville is launching a pilot grant opportunity this summer that will fund programs that address the opportunity gap for school-aged youth.   Through feedback from the Housing & Community Development Committee (HCD), community members, and Community & Economic Development Department staff, work is underway to refine the scope of the Strategic Partnership Fund (SPF) [...]

City of Asheville announces temporary Community Center hours to allow for staff training

The summer fun is about to begin!     To ensure the best program experience and safety is afforded to all community members, some of the City of Asheville Community Centers will experience a slight schedule change the week of June 6, 2022  to allow for staff training.    This is a planned training session for staff working our sold [...]

City of Asheville announces the retirement of Asheville Fire Chief Scott Burnette

Fire Chief Scott Burnette is retiring after serving the community for over 28 years, with the last 14 years as fire chief. His last day will be June 1, 2023.   “Chief Burnette has been an incredible leader both to his department and the organization as a whole,” said City Manager Debra Campbell. “Through his years of [...]

City of Asheville announces the Strategic Partnership Fund Pilot Program recipients for Youth Programs

Asheville City Council approved last night, as part of Council’s agenda, the Strategic Partnership Fund Pilot Program awards and authorized the City Manager to execute grant agreements.  Using Strategic Partnership funding, the City has provided $375,500 in pilot grants to nine different non-profit organizations to help address the opportunity gap for low to moderate income school-aged [...]

City of Asheville announces third phase of Neighborhood Matching Grants; Applications up to $5,000

The third phase of Neighborhood Matching Grants is open for applications, bringing City investments into Asheville’s neighborhoods.   Applications will be accepted from March 27 to May 27, 2023. Neighborhood organizations can apply for up to $5,000 in funds which they will then match through volunteer time, fundraising and in-kind donations.  The Neighborhood Matching Grant program was created [...]

City of Asheville announces upcoming construction work on Carter, S. Ann and Patton (CAPS) this summer

  The City of Asheville Public Works Stormwater Division will be launching construction on a project to improve stormwater drainage in the areas of Carter St, S. Ann St and Patton Ave summer of 2022.   The project will bring much needed flood and run-off relief to the area, as well as allowing the City to undertake general [...]