With 2017 nearly in the books, it’s time to take stock of City of Asheville initiatives and developments from the past year. Here are 10 initiatives that your City government got off the ground in 2017. We’ll have 2018 initiatives to look for in another roundup Jan. 1. Bond projects began In November 2016, Asheville voters approved $74 million [...]
With a new year comes new programs, facility improvements and projects to improve our community. Here’s a look ahead at Asheville City government initiatives in 2019. Red Pandas exhibit to open Two cute red pandas will take up residence at the WNC Nature Center this year. The new red panda exhibit will open to the public on [...]
With 2018 nearly in the books, it’s time to take stock of City of Asheville projects and developments from the past year. Here are 10 topics that your City government advanced in 2018. We’ll have 2019 initiatives to look for in another roundup Jan. 1. Debra Campbell becomes Asheville City Manager The search for a new City Manager [...]
With 2019 nearly in the books, it’s time to take stock of City of Asheville projects and developments from the past year. Here are 10 initiatives that your City government advanced in 2019. Read about the Asheville Police Department’s accomplishments for 2019 at this link. We’ll have 2020 initiatives to look [...]
Want to learn about the City of Asheville’s new Capital Projects Department and get an update on implementation of General Obligation Bond projects? Find out about these projects and more during the spring edition of the Asheville City Manager’s Development Forum. Set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 19, at the U.S. Cellular Center Banquet [...]
The Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center Phase II bond project will move to the design phase, following approval by City Council to authorize money for a contract with Asheville architect Clark Nexsen for design services. During their Sept. 24 meeting, Council authorized a contract for the design to proceed on the Phase 2 improvements to [...]
Two greenway projects got a green light from Asheville City Council this week. At their Feb. 25, meeting Council approved execution of contracts for: The Elsie’s Bridge Greenway Connector Project; and Construction of a Reed Creek Greenway Extension. The Council action paves the way for both projects to happen this [...]
On Nov. 8, 2016, Asheville voters approved three bond referendums: $32 million for transportation projects, $25 million for affordable housing projects and $17 million for Parks projects. Since the inception of the bond program, City of Asheville projects have including enhancements such as resurfaced streets and sidewalks; investments in affordable housing; and improvements to parks, including [...]
On Sept. 6, Asheville City Council will hold a worksession on affordable housing. The session will take place from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the U.S. Cellular Center Banquet Hall, 87 Haywood St. The goal of the session is to review the realities of local affordable housing needs, barriers to building affordable housing and the [...]
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 [...]
During these extraordinary times, more and more Asheville-area residents are spending time in the great outdoors, often in public parks and recreational facilities. Today, the City of Asheville and Carolina Day School (CDS) announce two exciting initiatives that will positively impact the Asheville community: the purchase of land by the City of Asheville for a [...]
Asheville Parks & Recreation is pleased to welcome the community to the newly renovated Jake Rusher Park! A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. July 24 followed by fun, games and activities in the park until noon. Extensive community input informed the improvements to the park. The upgrades include new parking, [...]
As part of the bond projects initiative, the City of Asheville is preparing to resurface State Street in West Asheville. This project includes sidewalk improvements and pedestrian enhancements, including ADA improvements and enhanced crosswalk improvements. Stormwater infrastructure improvements have already been installed along State Street in advance of this project. During an October meeting, residents were [...]
Two residents who had filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the City of Asheville bond referendum have now withdrawn their appeal. Here is a link to the court filing. On Oct. 20, 2017, the Honorable Superior Court Judge William H. Coward ruled in favor of the City of Asheville in a lawsuit regarding the [...]
Update The City of Asheville joined with the East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association July 14 for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of one of the City’s first big bond projects — the resurfacing of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Original story Everyone is welcome to join City officials, staff and members of the neighborhood for [...]
What’s happening on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive? Sidewalk, curb and gutter replacement is beginning on the east end near College Street in advance of a road resurfacing project of the entire length of the street in spring. Orange construction barrels have been placed on both sides of the street along the length of Martin Luther [...]
There will be lots of happy children and ball players in Asheville in the coming months. The renovation of playgrounds and sport courts were part of the $17 million Parks general obligation bond referendum that was approved by our community in 2016. Starting now, you will see work in progress in Malvern Hills Park, Murphy-Oakley [...]
Construction on Parks Department bond projects is underway. Planning began in 2016 when Asheville voters approved a total of $74 million in bonds, including $17 million for Parks & Recreation facility expansion and improvements. Now improvements to the Tempie Avery Montford Center Complex at 34 Pearson Drive are about to begin. A groundbreaking ceremony to kick [...]
The City of Asheville affordable housing bond referendum seeks to make home ownership available to low and moderate income City residents and staff. City Council took a step toward making those funds available when they adopted a Down Payment Assistance Policy resolution during their Feb. 26 meeting. Here is the resolution: City of Asheville [...]
Bond and capital projects approved by City Council July 23 reflect an array investments the City is making to provide for a more pedestrian-safe community. They also incorporate a parks bond project, one of many park projects under way as part of the bond program that enrich our quality of life. Under the consent agenda, Council [...]
With a new year comes new programs, facility improvements and projects to improve our community. Here’s a look ahead at Asheville City government initiatives in 2018. We couldn’t get the list down to 10 items so here are a dozen to look for in the coming year. New, more diverse City Council Asheville City Council 2018: Standing, left to right, are Keith Young, [...]
City of Asheville employees continue to work during the COVID-19 public health emergency, serving you, our residents. All essential police, fire, sanitation, transit and water services are being maintained as we continue to serve and protect this community, even in this difficult time. Other employees have transitioned to a telecommuting workstation from home, where work in [...]
The City of Asheville is asking for public input on sidewalk improvements along Vermont Avenue in West Asheville. The project will address approximately 1,200 lineal feet of existing severely damaged sidewalk and replace it with new Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant concrete sidewalk along Vermont Avenue between Haywood Road to just south of Olney [...]
The City of Asheville’s Department of Community and Economic Development has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of 319 Biltmore Ave. The redevelopment seeks to provide affordable/mixed income housing and commercial uses in an area near transit, jobs and services. This site is part of the Affordable Housing Bond Initiative for high-impact [...]
In 2016, the Asheville community approved a $17 million general obligation bond for park projects. The park bond funding has supported major improvements to parks and recreation facilities throughout the city and will fund future land acquisitions for parks. We are excited to share our progress and accomplishments with you!
Part 2 of a 3-part series. Three enhanced pedestrian crossings with flashing signals have been installed on the newly resurfaced State Street in West Asheville. It’s not just that the bond program paved the way for more street resurfacing — the $32 million in transportation bonds approved by voters in 2016 allowed the [...]
Sidewalks are coming to New Leicester Highway as part of the City’s bond program. The City of Asheville will be building a sidewalk from New Leicester Highway at Patton Avenue out to the City limit around 396 New Leicester Highway. No sidewalk currently exists in this area. Installation of a sidewalk will provide pedestrian safety in [...]
The results of Asheville’s recent Disparity Study on the City’s contracting for fiscal years 2012 through 2017 are in. Presentations on these results will be provided to Council’s Planning & Economic Development Committee and to full City Council at their Nov. 27 meeting.
Short-term pain for long-term gain. Please keep that in mind during road closures coming up for two transportation bond projects. In March, the City of Asheville shared information regarding a general construction schedule for the Kenilworth Road and State Street bond projects. (Find that announcement at this link.) Now we’re getting closer [...]
Please note corrected date. On Wednesday, Nov. 14, the City of Asheville will host an open house about the potential to create affordable housing on two City-owned properties. Everyone is invited to attend! The drop-in style event happens from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Asheville Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte St., Room 109. Asheville, [...]
The most prominent feature in Jake Rusher Park currently is the playground. New amenities are coming to Jake Rusher Park in south Asheville! Before the City finalizes the planned improvements, staff want to check in with residents on the park concept crafted from earlier community meetings. A park concept plan will be presented for residents to review and [...]
Asheville’s streets keep getting better, thanks to investments in annual resurfacing coupled with the bond program. Two downtown streets will be resurfaced this year as part of the bond program. They include Carolina Lane and Langren Alley. Both alleys have been identified as beneficial pedestrian corridors and this resurfacing will improve the surface for both vehicular [...]
Three bond sidewalk projects will move forward, following May 14 Asheville City Council action to approve funding for right of way acquisition and additional design services. Council authorized the City Manager to amend a design service agreement for sidewalk design services for Johnston Boulevard in West Asheville, New Haw Creek Road in East Asheville and Onteora [...]
Fresh updates about this improvement project The Haywood Streetscape Improvement Project continues to move forward, with construction scheduled to begin the week of January 6 and be completed by the end of September (see phased schedule below). The project schedule was determined with multiple factors considered and input from various parties — most specifically those directly [...]
South Asheville residents can look forward to improvements at Jake Rusher Park this year as the Jake Rusher Park bond project moves into the construction phase. At their Feb. 11 meeting, the Asheville City Council authorized the City Manager to move forward with a $975,274 construction contract with Carolina Specialties Construction, a Hendersonville-based company. Located at 160 [...]
Today, Oct. 20, 2017, The Honorable Superior Court Judge William H. Coward ruled in favor of the City of Asheville in a lawsuit regarding the Nov. 8, 2016, voter-approved bond election. Judge Coward ruled that that the General Obligation Bonds at issue are valid and the City can legally proceed with issuing the bonds and the [...]
Spring’s warmer weather brings not only longer days — it jumpstarts the City of Asheville’s ability to make sidewalk repairs in preparation for paving season. After a rainy winter that hampered Public Works installations, such as on stormwater systems, contractors are mobilizing for work on two major thoroughfares as part of the bond projects. Another project [...]
The City of Asheville would like to thank everyone for their continued patience with the work that has occurred over the winter months along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Public Works is now taking the next step of this project. Unfortunately, this step will be much more disruptive to the neighborhood. This phase started on Monday, [...]
Bond and Capital projects combine for increased resurfacing of City streets The month of March brings highly anticipated warmer weather and the first day of spring. For Asheville Public Works, this spring also ushers in paving season as never before. Thanks to the bond referendum passed by Asheville voters in November 2016, the City’s investment in many [...]
The City of Asheville is moving forward with a bond project in the Five Points neighborhood. Residents along Fulton Street will enjoy a sidewalk spanning from 20 E. Chestnut St. to 71 Woodrow Ave. Construction is slated to begin in June. Before it can get started, City staff needs to speak with residents about the [...]
City of Asheville staff have been hard at work creating online tools to make General Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and 2016 Bond Project information more accessible for everyone. New tools include an online dashboard and project map that provide users with information on project locations, timelines and budgets. The project map displays general [...]
Asheville Parks & Recreation Department is entering the design phase of the proposed improvements to the Mountainside Park and Memorial Stadium bond project. A community meeting to gauge support for the planned improvements will be held Aug. 1 at Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave. There will be two drop in sessions: 11 a.m. [...]
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. During an October meeting, residents were invited to give feedback on design options for this project. Using that [...]
The City of Asheville is excited to announce a ribbon cutting to celebrate improvements to the Tempie Avery Montford Center, 34 Pearson Drive. The event will take place at noon July 18. The bond-funded facility improvements began with a groundbreaking in July 2018 and include a new parking area and entry plaza, a new playground and [...]
Asheville Parks & Recreation is excited to announce the completion of another bond project that enriches the quality of life in our community. Construction is complete on a new community picnic shelter and restroom facility at Richmond Hill Park, 280 Richmond Hill Drive. Key features of this project include a covered picnic shelter, winterized restrooms, an [...]
ART bus service to the Kenilworth community will be affected Pending weather, the City of Asheville Stormwater Division will close Kenilworth Road from Rosefield Drive to 30 feet north of Rosefield Drive beginning July 6 for three weeks. The work will entail installation of a large pipe replacement in this area. Residents can expect a hard closure [...]
Parks have always been important gathering places for members of our community. They give people of all ages an area for outdoor recreation and healthy activity, and a venue to take in the fresh mountain air. In November 2016 the community voted yes to invest $17 million dollars in general obligation [...]
PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE due to snowcast for original date. Imagine a renewed Haywood Street downtown. Improvements to this major corridor are coming! As part of the bond projects approved by voters in 2016, the City of Asheville is working on pre-construction planning and design for the Haywood Street Streetscape. The project will include sidewalk rehabilitation, street [...]
