From food trucks to a play under the stars, temporary uses and events have continued this summer at City-owned property at 68 Haywood St. Soon a new temporary public art piece will be installed on a portion of the wall surrounding 68 Haywood — one that shows we’ve got spirit, creativity and we love Asheville! Public art [...]
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 [...]
Temporary uses and community programs will continue this spring and summer at 68 Haywood Street, a public gathering space across from the U.S. Cellular Center. This is an opportunity for craft fairs, food trucks and other special event organizers to set up in the heart of downtown. The future development site was made available for public [...]
Beginning Thursday, August 10th, an additional lane and street closure on Patton Avenue will be initiated in an effort to allow stormwater crews to safely proceed with construction for the Carter-Ann-Patton Project. As work progressed on the project, the underground conditions resulted in the need to close an additional lane to maximize safety for the public [...]
The City of Asheville and Buncombe County are documenting the community’s vision for a more equitable, accessible, and inclusive Pack Square Plaza, a social and economic hub for the region. You have been participating online and by attending community events to give us your ideas. Now check out the results! Ideas generated by the community can be [...]
Homelessness is bad for our community: people who experience it are community members in dire need, and people not experiencing it are often negatively impacted by its effects. Whether we’re experiencing homelessness, frustrated by what’s happening around our businesses or in our neighborhoods, or seeking to advocate and take action, we all want the same [...]
October brings great weather for strolling, browsing local shops and listening to street musicians. You can do just that and more this month during the next Walkable Wall Street. On Oct. 15, the Asheville Buskers Collective, Fringe Festival and Asheville Area Arts Council will come together for an afternoon of performances, music and interactive art making [...]
Keeping our downtown clean enhances it for everyone. During their Oct. 22 meeting, Asheville City Council approved a contract for WNC Landscaping to focus on Central Business District cleanliness. Specifically, the contractor will: Pressure wash City-owned downtown sidewalks; Keep those sidewalks clear of weeds; [...]
Arras Hotel and Residences, currently under construction in downtown Asheville. The fall edition of the Asheville City Manager’s Development Forum will not happen this go-round, due to several scheduling conflicts. Staff expects to resume the popular community update on economic and development activity in the spring with our new City Manager Debra Campbell at the helm. Appointed by [...]
With the holidays around the corner, the City of Asheville is excited to promote several festive events around town that encourage families to enjoy the winter season while eating, shopping and celebrating the holidays in the city’s business districts. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in Asheville Nov. 22 for the kick off of the
The Asheville Downtown Association’s annual Asheville Holiday Parade happens from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, in downtown Asheville. The parade route runs up Biltmore Avenue to Pack Square, then turns to go down Patton Avenue. Hundreds show up for this festive community event, so please plan ahead. There will be traffic and bus [...]
Asheville’s holiday season sparkles a little brighter this year, accented by some fresh décor. The City of Asheville is pleased to announce that its Winter Lights Downtown partnership with The N.C Arboretum will not only continue for a second year, but also expand. The City is also working with the Arboretum and the Asheville Downtown Association [...]
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 [...]
The chipped bricks will be history soon on a portion of College Street sidewalk. An ADA-compliant concrete sidewalk will be installed instead, wider than the structure there for pedestrians now. “We’re going to get as much width as we can,” said Jerry Yates, Asheville Streets Operation Manager. The hope is to transform the 8-foot-wide sidewalk closer [...]
A series of four Walkable Wall Street events were held this past year in which the street was closed to cars. The City of Asheville is looking at opportunities to enhance safety and walkability downtown. At the direction of City Council’s Public Safety Committee and with input from downtown stakeholders, City staff has worked with community partners [...]
Event will have a theme of Love, Light and Community Ready to experience downtown Asheville in a new way? On Feb. 11, the next installment in the Walkable Wall Street series happens. From 4 to 9 p.m. that day, the street will be temporarily closed to cars for a festive pedestrian experience. Walkable Wall Street is a collaborative [...]
The City of Asheville will be extending the AVL Shares Space initiatives through Jan. 3, 2021, in order to continue providing businesses and organizations with opportunities to expand outdoors during COVID-19. In addition to the extension, new guidelines are being provided to participants that address winter-related accommodations and safety requirements. The goals [...]
In response to the pandemic, earlier this year the City of Asheville created its AVL Shares Space outdoor expansion initiatives to support safe business operations and customer access in alignment with public health COVID-19 guidelines. Launched in spring 2020, its initial trial period was extended from Oct. [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Asheville City Council at the October 25, 2022 meeting, adopted the Close the GAP Plans. There are 3 plans, done at the same time in order to strengthen the pedestrian network. The plans are the City of Asheville’s existing Greenway (G), ADA Transition (A), and Pedestrian (P) plans. The planning process began [...]
No hotel approval applications will go before City Council for a year, under a hotel moratorium approved by Council at their Sept. 24 meeting. City staff will use this time to work with the Urban Land Institute Charlotte on a planning process to include two community engagement sessions, analysis of the hotel industry, assessment of impacts, [...]
In November 2015, Asheville City Council authorized a new Downtown Development Specialist position to provide the high level of coordination needed between City departments and downtown stakeholders. The City of Asheville is pleased to announce that Dana Frankel has been hired to fill this role. “The position will be the first point of contact for the downtown [...]
On any given day, performance art and music echoes throughout Asheville’s vibrant downtown. But with it has come challenges at times, especially regarding pedestrian safety as impromptu audiences that spill into streets, block downtown business entries or access to sidewalks. To enhance safety and place-making downtown, City staff continues to work with community stakeholders and City [...]
*UPDATE* The Friday, July 28 meeting locations have been changed due to technical issues. The new locations have been updated under the respective event information for July 28 below. The public is invited to review and provide feedback on the draft Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan when it’s released by the City and County on July [...]
Communities across Buncombe County to consider the future of Pack Square Plaza, Asheville’s most central public space. The City of Asheville and Buncombe County will kick off the start of the Pack Square Plaza Visioning Project by launching an online Engagement Hub on the City of Asheville website Friday September 16, 2022. [...]
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.
The City of Asheville is thrilled to announce the participating artist list for Art in the Heart! For more information on the artists and their projects, visit Art in the Heart project on the City’s website.
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 [...]
The City of Asheville’s Capital Projects department is seeking public feedback on the Downtown Public Restroom project. The primary goal for the restroom facility is to provide a public restroom that is safe and accessible 24/7. This project is being funded with American Rescue Plan Act Funds. City Council voted at their May [...]
The City of Asheville Public Works Department is pleased to announce the Carter Street, Ann Street and Patton Avenue stormwater project is about to get underway. As the City begins making improvements to the area, you may encounter large equipment and other construction related impacts. Preparations and initial work in the area is expected to take place [...]
Downtown Asheville is buzzing with activity. The streets and sidewalks provide space for everyone and everything — from buskers and outdoor dining to shoppers, construction activity and more. Since the City’s Downtown Master Plan was completed in 2009, there has been a lot of growth and increased activity downtown, including more demands [...]
The City of Asheville will receive $3,000,000 to reshape Pack Square Plaza and the gateway to The Block as described in feedback collected through the Pack Square Visioning Project in 2022 and 2023. The funding comes from the Mellon Foundation’s Monuments Project, a philanthropic “…commitment to give $250 million by 2025 to transform the nation’s [...]
The City of Asheville is committed to advancing ways of using space to support economic recovery and community needs while prioritizing public health and safety, and recognizes the importance of being flexible and nimble as needs and priorities evolve. In response to stakeholder input and public health guidance, the City is launching new initiatives to [...]
Art in the Heart is a way to unite, heal, and strengthen the community. The goal is to use art to spark conversation and ideas on how to make Pack Square Plaza –a central gathering place and hub of activity for the region– a place that reflects Asheville’s diverse community. The program [...]
According to recent statistics from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, opioid overdose deaths across North Carolina dropped for the first time in five years; yet the numbers from Buncombe County tell a different story. Opioid use and overdose continue to impact our community in a number of ways. We’ve made progress but [...]
In response to feedback from downtown stakeholders about the need for increased resources to maintain a welcoming, safe downtown experience, the City of Asheville has launched a Community EMT Pilot Program. The vision is for this six-week pilot program to integrate the roles of public safety official and medical responder into one team. Under this pilot [...]
With public health considerations guiding our work, the City is advancing ways to use shared public and private spaces differently to support economic recovery and other community needs. Curbside Pick-up Zones The City of Asheville is launching shared Curbside Pick-up Zones to support local restaurants and retailers in more than 20 locations around the city. The Curbside [...]
Large construction projects continue to dot the downtown Asheville skyline. At right, the 45 Asheland Condominiums are under construction. At left in the background are the twin cranes erecting the Mission Hospital for Advanced Medicine addition. Developers, online applications for development review have come to the City of Asheville. Now you can file your applications for development review from the [...]
The City of Asheville Department of Planning & Urban Design is in the process of drafting a new ordinance to regulate hotel development, based on recommendations from the Urban Land Institute through a technical assistance panel public process and ongoing analysis. As part of the public process, the City is conducting an online survey to engage [...]
The City of Asheville is continuing to support economic recovery by allowing businesses and organizations to use public and private properties more flexibly to align with public health guidelines. As businesses, particularly restaurants, continue to work through capacity constraints and physical distancing guidelines, the City has launched Parklets and Shared Streets as tools to temporarily create [...]
The City of Asheville in partnership with the Asheville Downtown Foundation wants your feedback on the proposal designs for the Lexington Avenue Public Art Project. The City will gather your ranking of these projects and comments through November 1. The City launched a survey on Open City Hall Asheville to help in the selection of the [...]
The community may have noticed an increased law enforcement presence downtown this past weekend. Asheville Police Department patrols were complemented by downtown patrols of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office. This partnership is the result of continued attention to a community wide response to downtown safety. “We are grateful for our police force and for the Sheriff [...]
Visit the revised Asheville hotel overlay map at this link: https://bit.ly/3abB4zn. Over the last year, the City of Asheville Department of Planning and Urban Design has been developing revisions to the City’s hotel development standards, based upon recommendations from the Urban Land Institute and public input. This week, staff will begin presenting [...]
More businesses and organizations are operating outdoors this year, due to COVID-19. The City of Asheville reminds those with outdoor areas to do their part to operate safely. Beyond wearing a mask and other public health measures, businesses that choose to operate outdoors must follow all building and fire-safety codes while using equipment like heaters [...]
Beginning Monday, June 1, the City of Asheville will resume collecting regular parking fees for on-street, metered parking. Enforcement of fee payment will also resume. Garage parking in City and County garages will remain free until further notice. City monthly parking permit fees will also continue to be suspended until further notice. Buncombe county monthly parking [...]
The City of Asheville has cleared gravel off the City-owned property at 68 Haywood Street and is making other modest improvements to make way for public access and temporary uses of this City-owned site. The City has now issued a “Request for Expressions of Interest,” seeking ideas for organizing temporary programs in the space. It [...]
Thanks to everyone who has participated in the Hotel Development Survey. We appreciate your Input! Here are the answers to many of the questions that were raised in the survey. Frequently Asked Questions Can the city ban hotels permanently? If someone does not like a particular land use or perceives a use to have negative impacts this does [...]
Following two City Council work sessions, the City of Asheville Department of Planning and Urban Design has further analyzed the proposed hotel development regulations and will be holding a public hearing to present the revised regulations at 5 p.m. Feb. 3 the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. At the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting , City [...]
The City of Asheville Planning and Urban Design Department has decided to extend to April 8th the period to participate in the South Slope Visioning Plan. Staff want to hear from the community if there’s something missing from the plan, so the draft is available for the public to review and provide comments. [...]
The City of Asheville is working with Nelson Nygaard Consulting Associates on a study to examine downtown parking conditions and identify strategies for improvement. One strategy to consider as part of this effort is the introduction of a circulator or shuttle system. A circulator or shuttle system is a short and frequent transit route that [...]
Parking downtown can be a challenge, especially for Asheville service industry and retail workers. A survey by the Downtown Commission and Asheville Downtown Association showed that most employees of downtown businesses rely on driving to get to work, and that 64% of businesses would like to see more parking downtown. Survey respondents indicated that 40% of [...]
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Work progresses steadily on the Carter-Ann-Patton Stormwater Improvements Project, with construction on the S. Ann portion nearing completion. City staff want to update the community on what to expect as the project enters its next phase. Phase 2 – Turning the corner (literally) As construction moves toward Patton Avenue over the summer months, here are some impacts [...]
Starting Sunday, September 17, at 7:00 p.m. contract work will begin that spans across Patton Ave. from the south to the north side. To ensure crew and community safety, there will be a full road closure from N. French Broad Ave. down to N. Ann Street. This will take place at night only (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) to minimize traffic disruption and impact on area businesses and the community. To further minimize impact, the area will be open to vehicle and pedestrian traffic on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the duration of this phase.
Beginning Aug. 1, the City of Asheville and Buncombe County will reinstate parking fees for the City- and County-owned parking garages. On March 18, following the State and Local State of Emergency declarations due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, parking garage and metered parking fees were temporarily suspended in order to support more convenient access [...]
The Public Works Streets Division will have a contractor paving College Street from the S. Charlotte Street intersection into the traffic circle beginning on the evening of Sunday, April 23. The work will take place primarily between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. for minimal traffic disturbances and will last approximately 4 nights. There will be a [...]
Above, Asheville Downtown Development Specialist Dana Frankel Interested in downtown Asheville? Have ideas about how to make it better? Curious about upcoming plans? Whether you work in it, live in it, shop in it or just love it, the City of Asheville is making it even easier to grab the ear of City staff members [...]
The community is invited to provide online feedback on draft design concepts for City-owned properties at the intersection of Haywood Street and Page Avenue and the adjacent downtown area. Feedback will be collected via an online survey. This input opportunity is intended for those who could not make it to the public presentation and work session [...]
The Haywood Streetscape Improvement project continues to move forward. This project includes sidewalk rehabilitation, street resurfacing, stormwater improvements, sanitary sewer improvements, and the sourcing, siting and installation of street amenities. An informational meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 5 at the U.S. Cellular Center Banquet Hall (87 Haywood St., second floor) to share the [...]
For a narrated video of the Haywood Street and Page Avenue Master Concept Plan, visit this link. Following a series of community input and engagement activities this spring, the City of Asheville Department of Planning and Urban Design is pleased to release the Haywood Street and Page Avenue Master Concept Plan. The plan [...]
On March 8, 2016, Asheville City Council voted to proceed with the demolition of a City-owned building at 33-35 Page Avenue. The contractor began abatement work on August 3 to remove hazardous materials. That work is expected to be completed within the next one to two weeks. A fence has been installed around the property, including the [...]
A mobile food vending pilot program comes to 68 Haywood this year! With more than 75 food trucks listed as active in the Asheville area on ashevillefoodtrucks.com, offerings could be wide ranging — everything from tacos to gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. It’s one of several temporary uses recommended by the Haywood Street Community Advisory Team, [...]
Want to learn where the City is on its Comprehensive Plan Update and the Haywood Street visioning process? 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, June 17, at the U.S. Cellular Center Banquet Hall the event, free [...]
Asheville residents will get an update and peak into possible uses for City-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue during a March 8 meeting downtown. Come see the draft vision What: The Haywood Street Advisory Team will present finalist ideas for uses of City-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue. When/where: 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 8 at the US [...]
In March 2016, Asheville City Council approved a public visioning process for City-owned property located on Haywood Street in downtown Asheville. The process is being facilitated by Asheville Design Center in collaboration with City staff and a City Council-appointed advisory team. Community engagement efforts will inform a long-term vision for the properties while also serving [...]
The Haywood Streetscape Improvement project is another step closer to construction, following City Council’s Nov. 12 authorization to execute a contract with Tennoca Construction Company as well as a memorandum of understanding with the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) of Buncombe County for cost sharing. This project includes sidewalk replacement, street resurfacing, stormwater improvements, sanitary sewer replacement [...]
The City of Asheville is happy to announce the completion of the Haywood Streetscape and Infrastructure Improvement project, which features expanded public sidewalk space and improved pedestrian access and amenities. The project, which took 10 months of construction, included sewer and water line upgrades in the Haywood Street vicinity (including College Street, Walnut Street and Rankin [...]
Want to get get the latest information on the City of Asheville Downtown Safety Initiative? You can do this through the City of Asheville website. What’s the Downtown Safety Initiative Due to a number of incidents impacting public safety, the City of Asheville is taking targeted steps to address the rise of crime especially in [...]
South Pack Square Plaza will see some enhancements soon. What/where? The improvements to the plaza at the intersection of Biltmore and Patton Avenues are designed to improve the way people move through the area and enhance its suitability as a popular location for street performers. They are part of City of Asheville’s public space management initiatives focusing [...]
Whether you’re a foodie, a hiker or a biker, or just enjoy the mountain city vibe, there is never a shortage of reasons to love Asheville. The City of Asheville is partnering with local organizations to encourage you to share the love with friends, family and local businesses during LOCAL ASHEVILLE GO LOCAL [...]
Put on your walking (and biking!) shoes and get ready to experience Asheville’s Wall Street for fun, pedestrian and bike friendly festivities. The next Walkable Wall Street is set for 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, May 13.The third in a pilot series, this Walkable Wall Street marks the launch of events in Asheville for Strive [...]
Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, City Manager Debra Campbell, Asheville Police Deputy Chief James Baumstark and Lieutenant Brandon Moore met with UNC Asheville Chancellor Nancy Cable, UNC Asheville students and others who provided medical supplies during Tuesday’s demonstration. The discussion focused on ways to enhance communication and collaboration. The City of Asheville agreed to reimburse the staff [...]
Sidewalk improvements will continue to march up College Street with another project this month. On Monday, June 12, Asheville Public Works crews will begin sidewalk work on College Street from North Spruce to North Market streets. “This project will repair damage to the sidewalk and alleviate trip hazards,” said Jerry Yates, Asheville Streets Operation Manager. “Once the [...]
A new temporary mural will soon be installed on the public stairwell connecting Battery Park and Wall Street. The project, set to start Monday evening, is being done through an agreement between the Asheville Downtown Association Foundation and the City of Asheville. The Asheville Downtown Association Foundation is funding and managing the installation and maintenance of [...]
The City of Asheville is committed to offering safe and convenient payment options for our services, including our parking meters. In order to provide a mobile payment option at our parking meters, the City currently contracts with Passport Labs. This contract is set to expire Dec. 31. In order to continue providing [...]
Asheville Public Works crews removed gravel from the site the week of May 22 to prep it for temporary uses. Survey launched inviting input on a temporary name too City-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue downtown, currently vacant, are being prepared to support flexible short-term uses. On May 23, City Council heard an update from Downtown [...]
The City of Asheville is moving forward with the creation of a master concept plan for City-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue. The creation of this plan is the next step to implement the community vision for the properties outlined in the Haywood and Page Vision Report. Two public [...]
The 15-foot-high new public artwork by Beatrice Coron will be installed at 65 N. Lexington Ave. A thriving downtown Asheville street will become even more vibrant this year with the installation of a new piece of public art on Lexington Avenue. The City of Asheville is pleased to announce that, after a competitive process, a metal sculpture entitled Lexington Life [...]
The City of Asheville is undertaking a South Slope Visioning process. And residents are invited to participate! Led by the City of Asheville with participation by the community and South Slope business stakeholders, this planning process is designed to develop a long-term vision for the area. Once the plan is drafted, it will be presented to [...]
Thanks to everyone who came out for the City of Asheville’s downtown shuttle workshop Wednesday night! More than 60 people came out for a discussion about priorities for a circulator or shuttle system. In effect, this could be a short, frequent transit route that provides access to destinations that are just a bit too far to [...]
Some resurfacing projects are going on that the City of Asheville would like to make residents and businesses aware of. Resurfacing of College Street from Tunnel Road to Vance Gap is expected to begin soon. The section between North Spruce Street and Broadway is expected to be worked on the week of Dec. 11. As crews [...]
At their Aug. 27 meeting, Asheville City Council authorized City staff to enter into a contract to create a design plan to redevelop City-owned properties at Haywood Street and Page Avenue. The services provided by the Nelson Byrd Woltz team will include architecture, landscape architecture, real estate analysis, community engagement, civil engineering, urban planning, including transportation [...]
A new line up of Art in the Heart artworks and experiences will be in Pack Square Plaza for November and December 2022. A final schedule for January-March artists will be released subsequently. To learn more about the artists and their projects, please visit ashevillenc.gov/artintheheart. Images and videos of completed projects have been, and will [...]
The City of Asheville is committed to a collaborative and well reasoned approach to identifying a suitable site for Duke Energy’s rebuild of the downtown electrical substation currently located on Duke Energy property behind the Harrah’s Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville. The rebuild of the substation is critical to power reliability of the area. The City’s [...]
As part of City and stakeholder efforts to improve public space management and placemaking downtown, a collaboration between the City, Wall Street merchants and Asheville Downtown Association called Walkable Wall Street launches on Nov. 19, the same day as the Asheville Holiday Parade. Walkable Wall Street incorporates a temporary closure to cars along the corridor [...]
The City of Asheville is working on a long–term vision for the city-owned property located at the intersection of Haywood Street and Page Avenue in downtown Asheville just across and south of the St. Lawrence Basilica. In March 2016, Asheville City Council approved a public visioning process for the space. The process is being facilitated by Asheville [...]
The City of Asheville wants to help residents stay informed about development projects by connecting residents to information about proposed projects as well as the review and approval process. The City has several online tools already available to help people find information about development projects, such as the City’s Technical Review Committee project map. To [...]
What’s Up AVL! The City of Asheville’s bi-monthly radio show gives the community the chance to take a deep dive with City of Asheville staff and departments. Learn about different departments and what projects are taking place in your community. This week, the City of Asheville sits down with Stephanie Dahl and Karli Stephenson from the Planning and [...]
