At a glance On April 9, Asheville City Council adopted its Fees & Charges for FY 2019-2020. Fee increases are aimed at cost recovery to lessen the burden on property tax payers. There will be a modest increase to water and stormwater fees. Impact per the average household will be 70 cents a month or $8.40 for [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
A project to repair the Asheville City Hall belfry roof begins this week. Workers will restore the original 1927 terracotta roof tiles and masonry. The belfry is the very top of the building – think pink tiles and chimes. Deliveries of scaffolding and fencing materials began Nov. 9. Fencing was installed around the perimeter of the building to [...]
Are you “recycling right?” We’ve all had that moment when we’ve gotten confused on what the City of Asheville accepts and does not accept in the Big Blue recycling bins. Getting it right is important and here’s why: As a city, our contamination rate is on the rise. Where we were previously at a 5% contamination [...]
They won’t do your taxes but the new “smart” parking meters coming to all of downtown Asheville this year will make paying for parking much easier. For one thing, you’ll have the option to use your debit or credit card. For another, Passport app parking payments will display on the new meters, leaving the guesswork out [...]
Updated Deadline for applications The deadline for applications for Art in the Heart has been extended to August 1, 2022. Existing applications will be reviewed and notified of the change in dates. Call for applications In partnership with the Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections and Asheville’s Public Art and Cultural Commission, the City is kicking off [...]
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 [...]
It’s here at last. Starting Jan. 5, ART buses will run more frequently with an increased focus on improving on-time performance. There are so many improvements to our routes that the City of Asheville put together an online resource page titled Service Changes January 2020. On this page, riders will find new route maps and schedules. [...]
The City of Asheville’s 2020 Events Brochure is now available on Issuu.com and printed and available around town. You can also stop by City Hall for your copy, available at Community and Economic Development on the fifth floor and the City Manager’s office on the second floor. The brochure is more than just a directory [...]
With a new year comes new programs, facility improvements and projects to improve our community. Here’s a look ahead at 10 Asheville City government initiatives as we ring in not only a new year, but a new decade in 2020. Civic Center gets Harrah’s Cherokee name The year 2020 will start with excitement for the newly named Harrah’s Cherokee Center — [...]
COVID continued to leave its mark on our society in 2021, including the workings of City government. But the year brought with it some wins too, including the completion of the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project. The Reparations Initiative got its start. And a City employee earned a national hero award. It wasn’t all easy. Governing [...]
The City of Asheville’s 2022 Events Brochure is now available on Issuu.com. The brochure is more than just a directory highlighting fun things to do. The festivals and events brochure is a tool to assist the community for vendor, exhibitor, marketing, and volunteer opportunities. Looking for tips on planning an event? The online [...]
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 [...]
On Feb. 1, a homeless camp under an I-240 bridge in the City limits was removed. The action did not align with the City of Asheville’s typical practice in handling homeless camps. The City Manager’s Office met with Division 13 North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) staff Feb. 2 to fully understand what occurred and [...]
There has been much discussion over the past few weeks about the tent encampment that has grown near the NCDOT property located on Haywood Street near I-240. As the camp has grown, so have the concerns over public safety and public health. We have received numerous complaints of open drug use, theft, and sexual assault at [...]
Contributed image Work began about two weeks ago at John B. Lewis Soccer Complex to repair damages caused by multiple flooding events in 2018. And a resolution adopted by Asheville City Council during its March 26 meeting puts in place an agreement for shared financial responsibility for future maintenance at the facility. The City’s new lease agreement [...]
Enjoying clean water from your tap often starts many miles from your home at “the source”. That’s why the American Water Works Association has named September 25 through October 1, 2022 as “Protect the Source” Week. “The best way to ensure we have high quality drinking water at the tap is to protect our [...]
Homelessness in Asheville has long been a serious and complex issue. The COVID-19 pandemic has both highlighted and heightened this reality. While the homeless service system we’ve had in Asheville has ended homelessness for a small number of people annually, it’s never had the resources to operate at a scale that will make homelessness truly [...]
The Asheville City Council has approved five seat appointments for the Community Reparations Commission representing the five impact focus areas of criminal justice, economic development, education, health care and housing. Those members appointed by Asheville City Council are: Dewana Little – Criminal Justice Dr. Dwight B Mullen -Economic Development CiCi Weston – Education Dr. Tamarie Macon – Healthcare Joyce Harrison – [...]
A new mode of school is now in session for Asheville students, but officers with the Asheville Police Department Traffic Safety Unit (TSU) say the same safety measures apply. “Students and school buses on the roads haven’t just been gone for the summer — it has been even longer,” said APD Traffic Safety Unit Sergeant Scott [...]
The City of Asheville operates under a council-manager form of government. The Asheville City Council establishes the City’s policies and appoints the City Manager, who oversees day-to-day city operations and executes Council-established laws and policies. The City Council also ensures the entire community is being served. The City Council is made up of a mayor and [...]
In response to residents requests, the City of Asheville is extending the deadline to apply to be a member of the Community Reparations Commission until January 15. The opportunity to serve is available to all residents of Asheville and Buncombe County and can be found online. ONLINE FORMS: Neighborhood Candidate Interest Form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M6CG2MH Impact Focus Area [...]
On July 14, Governor Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina would remain in Phase II of re-opening until August 7. COVID-19 continues to impact Asheville Rides Transit service. Buses continue to have a 9-passenger limit, and Young Transportation is assisting with overload routes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Our procedure for full buses: · When buses reach the 9-passenger [...]
Ready for a better tool to help you keep up with ART bus schedules? Here it comes, with the launch of the new Transit App available to Asheville transit riders. The new app offers real-time information on bus arrivals and can even help map your bus ride to get you where you want to [...]
Less than five months into the City of Asheville’s new Transit Operations and Maintenance Contract with RATP Dev (formerly McDonald Transit), on-time performance of ART bus service has noticeably improved. In October 2017, the City moved to a new management model with RATP Dev to improve system reliability and on-time performance (OTP). On-time performance refers to [...]
Sample college project / rendering The City of Asheville is pleased to announce that Art Ecologie featuring: Monique Luck, Flavia Lovatelli and Francisco Gonzalez has been selected as the inaugural Visiting Artist. Art Ecologie’s has proposed to transform the area with a multi-dimensional cube installation of metal/wood and bright imagery representing the past and the future, at [...]
Asheville Rides Transit (ART) is making changes to the WE2 route schedule and its service to the Social Security Administration at Centre Park Drive. Beginning September 19, the WE2 will no longer service the Social Security bus stops after 4:30 pm outbound, 5 pm inbound, and on weekends. This applies to the following stops: Stop ID [...]
Work is well under way for the Jan. 5 roll out of new ART transit system improvements following a $1.2 million increase in funds approved by the City Council for the Fiscal Year 2020 budget back in July. Following the Council approval, City transit staff and ART staff went to work [...]
Renovations at the ART Transit Center will be enhanced with the installation of public art in the waiting room and ticket area. A team representing City staff, ART Operations staff, Better Buses Together and the Public Art and Cultural Commission have chosen Asheville-based artist Wyatt Grant to design murals for the [...]
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 [...]
Asheville has not seen a year like 2020 in a hundred years — literally. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Not since the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1919 has the world — including our corner of it — experienced this kind of public health challenge. Working [...]
The City of Asheville’s 2021 Point-in-Time count was conducted on January 27, 2021, and the results have been submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The 2021 Point-in-Time count identified 527 people experiencing homelessness in our community, which is a slight decrease from the 2020 count of 547. Overall the data are consistent [...]
Asheville City Council returns to Chamber
The meeting will take place at City Hall, 70 Court Plaza on the second floor. Public Welcome
Answers to questions you and your neighbors have asked.
With warm weather and summer’s official end not until September 21, some community members are wondering why local public pools transition to a weekends-only schedule in early August. While Asheville Parks & Recreation was able to extend Malvern Hills Pool’s 2022 swim season by a couple of weeks, a [...]
It’s budget season for the City of Asheville. From March through June, City Council will work with City staff to review budget options, aligning Council priorities with available funding. The City’s operating budget must be passed by July 1. That’s because the City runs on a fiscal year of July through June. By law, it must be a balanced budget — [...]
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 [...]
Civic partners stepped up to provide funding for three bus shelters — $16,000 in contributions combined — accepted in a budget amendment by Asheville City Council during their May 25 meeting. The Transportation Department has been working with these community organizations to provide donations to install standard bus shelters along Asheville Rides Transit bus routes. The Rotary Club [...]
Civic partners have stepped up to provide funding for a new bus shelter — $5,000 in contributions — accepted in a budget amendment by Asheville City Council during their October 12 meeting. The Transportation Department has been working with these community organizations to provide donations to install standard bus shelters along Asheville Rides Transit bus routes. The [...]
After more than three years of community engagement around the future use of City-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue downtown, a master concept plan for the properties went before Asheville City Council Oct. 27. The plan by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects incorporates a mix of uses, including: A central plaza for community gatherings and [...]
In a year when the COVID-19 pandemic economically challenged our community, the City of Asheville did not increase fees and charges for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 (which runs July to June). Also, in an effort to limit the financial impact of the pandemic, some fees were waived, and late charges were deferred. This was done even though [...]
In alignment with Buncombe County, on April 27 Asheville City Council passed a Nondiscrimination Ordinance, protecting people from discrimination in public accommodations and private employment. From March 30, 2017, through December 1, 2020, the State of North Carolina prohibited local governments from regulating private employment practices and/or public accommodations. This restriction ceased in December of 2020, [...]
With the new fiscal year will come new registration and renewal fees for alarm systems in the City of Asheville. Following an overwhelming number of false alarms coming into the Asheville Police Department — 97% of which were false alarms — City Council adopted a revised Alarm Ordinance at its June 22 meeting. According to the [...]
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; [...]
On July 26, the Asheville City council voted unanimously to approve the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project, or AMI. The new AMI system will replace the Water Department’s current automated meter reading system now reaching the end of its useful life cycle. The newly approved AMI system will utilize a City owned fixed network of antennas and [...]
Coming out of a pandemic with limited resources, the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget approved by Asheville City Council June 22 still includes service improvements to our community, such as extended evening transit hours starting in October and expanded evening and weekend hours for youth at City Recreation Centers. The budget, which goes into effect July 1, [...]
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 [...]
Design will move forward for a new fire station planned on a property at 316 Broadway St. near Mount Clare Avenue. At their Nov. 12 meeting, Asheville City Council authorized a $407,567 contract for expansion of design services of Fire Station 13 by Charlotte-based ADW Architects. The funding was already included in the City’s Capital Improvement [...]
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 [...]
City Council, during their July 26 meeting, unanimously approved $659,654.00 plus a 15% contingency of $98,948.10 ($758,602.10 total) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 22 in funds for the Asphalt Preservation Contract. Funding for this contract has already been budgeted in the General Capital Projects Fund as part of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). This is [...]
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 [...]
The Charlotte Street Road Diet will move forward, with construction expected in 2020. During their Sept. 10 meeting, Asheville City Council approved a resolution appropriating $973,556.10 to Harrison Construction-Candler Division for the construction of improvements designed to enhance safety for multiple modes of transportation. It was one of three multimodal items approved by Council during the [...]
As the City of Asheville works to proactively maintain and invest in Asheville’s water system, Water Resources will begin a pilot program this year to identify ways to enhance its flushing program as a tool to help mitigate impacts to our customers. At their Feb. 25 meeting, City Council authorized execution of a $50,000 contract with [...]
Three new buses will be added to the Asheville Rides Transit (ART) fleet, under action taken by Asheville City Council. At their December 14 meeting, Council approved a resolution to purchase three 30-foot Gillig diesel buses to replace buses in the fleet as they near their useful service life. During the last five years, the City [...]
Slow down, Asheville. For safety, of course. City residents have asked for lower speed limits on a number of our streets. In response to those requests the City performed traffic engineering studies to assess the feasibility of doing so. N.C. General Statute 20-141 gives the City the authority to regulate speed limits within [...]
During their October 12 meeting, Asheville City Council voted to approve a Conditional Zoning Request for property at 130 Charlotte Street (formerly occupied by Fudruckers). This decision aligns with the Council goal of a “well-planned and livable community.” The approval is for construction of an approximately 166,000-square-foot mixed-use development that includes 186 new [...]
At their July 27 meeting, Asheville City Council voted to update the City’s Noise Ordinance with an aim to identify and prioritize noise concerns and develop clear and enforceable thresholds for noise generation. The vote followed a year-long engagement, then a year delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As COVID gathering restrictions were [...]
The Vance Monument site on Pack Square could be redeveloped following a community visioning process approved by Asheville City Council March 23. The Council approved removal of the monument as a first step. Erected in 1897, the 75-foot-tall stone obelisk is named for former Confederate military officer, N.C Governor and U.S. Senator Zebulon Vance, whose home [...]
During its regular meeting on December 14, Asheville City Council approved the annexation and initial zoning district designation of RS-2 (Residential Single Family Low Density District) of a 10.88-acre property planned for a City park in south Asheville.
The City of Asheville will buy seven new hybrid and diesel buses for the ART fleet, following Aug. 27 action by City Council to authorize their purchase. In 2018, the City received $5.7 million in federal grant funds from the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization to buy new transit buses. The City match for the [...]
Earlier this year, the City of Asheville announced a two-phase ART Transit Station improvement project. The first phase, completed in the first half of the year, replaced the stormwater drainage system in the bus travel lanes and sidewalk. The next phase, renovation of the ART Station itself, is about to begin! At their July 23 meeting, [...]
Coming your way in 2021: smart water meters. At their Sept. 22 meeting, Asheville City Council authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with Cavanaugh and Associates to develop, facilitate and complete the Request for Proposals process for selection of an “advanced metering infrastructure system.” That’s a mouthful but what it means is that the [...]
Two single-family lots will be donated to the Asheville Buncombe Community Land Trust so that the organization can build deeply affordable housing on them. The single family homes to be built on each lot will be permanently affordable to families at 60% and below the Area Median Income, at a target sales [...]
For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain in remote format and accessible to the public in accordance with N.C. General Statute § 166A-19.24(f) . This includes the 5 p.m. September 14 City Council meeting. Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in [...]
For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain in remote format and accessible to the public in accordance with N.C. General Statute § 166A-19.24(f) . This includes the 5 p.m. September 28 City Council meeting. Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in [...]
For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain in remote format and accessible to the public in accordance with N.C. General Statute § 166A-19.24(f) . This includes the 5 p.m. October 12 City Council meeting. Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in this meeting, [...]
For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain in remote format and accessible to the public in accordance with N.C. General Statute § 166A-19.24(f) . This includes the 5 p.m. October 26 City Council meeting. Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate [...]
For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain in remote format and accessible to the public in accordance with N.C. General Statute § 166A-19.24(f). This includes the 5 p.m. December 14 City Council meeting. Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in this [...]
For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain in remote format and accessible to the public in accordance with N.C. General Statute § 166A-19.24(f). This includes the 5 p.m. January 11 City Council meeting. Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in this [...]
For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain in remote format and accessible to the public in accordance with N.C. General Statute § 166A-19.24(f). This includes the 5 p.m. January 25 City Council meeting. Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in this [...]
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 [...]
Due to the locally declared State of Emergency and the State Phase 2 Safer at Home order, Asheville City Council continues to hold its meetings remotely via the City’s Public Engagement Hub, which offers multiple ways the public can participate. The agenda for Council’s July 14 meeting is posted at this link. City [...]
During the October 12 City Council meeting, Debra Clark Jones, President of TEQuity, the selected project management firm, outlined next steps in the City of Asheville’s Reparations initiative. Information was shared during the City Manager’s Report to Council. Debra Clark Jones During their September 14 meeting, City Council voted to authorize the City Manager to hire
At Asheville City Council’s Aug. 25 meeting, City staff presented an ordinance focused on the preservation, enhancement and expansion of the City’s tree canopy as it relates to private land development activity. The proposed changes will ask developers to consider the tree canopy and require that they keep a portion of the trees in place, plant [...]
At their June 8 meeting, Asheville City Council voted to appropriate $2.1 million in proceeds from the sale of City-owned land at 172 and 174 South Charlotte Street to fund community reparations. A portion of this property includes land the City purchased in the 1970s through Urban Renewal of East End/Valley Street. The Council action was [...]
For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain virtual at this time and accessible to the public in accordance with N.C. General Statute § 166A-19.24(f). This includes the 5 p.m. May 25 meeting. The agenda is posted at this link. You can watch City Council [...]
Asheville City Council will continue meeting in person at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville Banquet Hall, 87 Haywood Street.
Asheville City Council meeting resumes in-person at Harrah’s Cherokee Center and will be streamed live online Asheville City Council will resume meeting in person at 5 p.m. February 22, at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville Banquet Hall, 87 Haywood Street. The Council meeting agenda is posted at this link. Pursuant to North [...]
Asheville City Council meets Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Top priority is to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and avoid overwhelming our healthcare network As the City of Asheville continues to work through the COVID-19 public health emergency, we want to make our residents aware of our modified operations, especially regarding how they can participate in their City government. Taking into consideration CDC, N.C. Department of Health [...]
Top priority is the safety of our community and to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while conducting City business The May 12 Asheville City Council meeting and budget work session will be held remotely. Due to the locally declared State of Emergency and Stay Safe, Stay Home order, there will be no public attendance at these meetings. [...]
Budget Public Hearing - Your chance to be Heard. The community is invited to this opportunity to comment on the recommended investments in person at the Council meeting or utilize remote options. We encourage community participation.
Asheville City Council will continue meeting in person at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville Banquet Hall, 87 Haywood Street. The Council meeting agenda is posted at this link. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 143-318.10 this will be an in-person meeting which the public can access [...]
Asheville City Council will continue meeting in person at 5 p.m. July 27 and August 24 at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville Banquet Hall, 87 Haywood St. City Council will also hold an in-person work session beginning at 2:30 p.m. July 27 on the American Rescue Plan Act summary plan. Public comment is not taken [...]
City Council meeting, March 8, 2022
With Gov. Roy Cooper’s easing of statewide facemask and social distancing restrictions and extending capacity on gatherings per Executive Order 209, the Asheville City Council will transition back to meeting in person. As a start, the June 8, June 22 and July 27 City Council meetings will be held at the Harrah’s [...]
Asheville City Council will continue meeting in person June 22 and July 27 at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville Banquet Hall, 87 Haywood St. This comes on the heels of not only Gov. Roy Cooper’s easing of statewide facemask and social distancing restrictions per Executive Order 209 but also Buncombe County’s action [...]
Update: Because tonight’s Ashville City Council meeting is offsite, we will not be able to show presentations on the live stream. For people who want to follow along, here is a link to them however. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MZfE6Ak7hnvzkAE5VvKjYp_oUreuZNuy?usp=sharing Original post: The next formal meeting of the Asheville City Council will be held at 5 p.m. Sept. 24 [...]
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.
At their September 28 meeting, the Asheville City Council adopted a new Urban Place Form Code District. The rezoning Urban Centers initiative was managed by the Asheville Department of Planning & Urban Design and was developed as a recommendation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Living Asheville. Urban Centers are [...]
Due to broadcasting difficulties during the Sept. 28 City Council meeting, the Oct. 12 Council agenda will reprise the full consent agenda from the Sept. 28 City Council meeting, as the vote on these items was not broadcast or recorded in open virtual session. In order to ensure full transparency and to comply with North [...]
Asheville City Council cleared the way for a new Duke Energy substation with a vote to rezone portions of 252 Patton Ave. and 28 Knoxville Place, during Council’s Jan. 22 meeting. Duke has proposed the construction of a gas-insulated, high-voltage switchgear (or GIS) substation on the parcel that formerly served as a car dealership on [...]
Asheville City Council took a step closer to amending its charter to reinstate at-large elections for all Council members and nonpartisan Council primaries by holding public hearings on the matter during their Sept. 24 meeting. The City’s charter is listed in Chapter 1 of the Municipal Code, posted on the City’s website. During the [...]
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 [...]
Two resolutions passed by City Council Sept. 10 set into motion a process to reverse state law mandating district elections for the City’s governing board. The resolutions are part of a three-step process required to amend the City’s charter and return the Council elections to an at-large format and restore primary elections, said City Attorney Brad [...]
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 [...]
Asheville City Council will hold a budget retreat March 13 in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville banquet hall. This daylong budget retreat will be streamed live on the City’s YouTube channel at this link. Council members will attend a legislative breakfast starting at 8 a.m. and then the actual retreat will [...]
For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain virtual at this time. That includes the May 11 City Council meeting. In addition to the 5 p.m. meeting Council will hold a 2:30 p.m. budget work session. May 11 will be the fifth budget work session for the 2021-2022 budget. The [...]
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
For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings remain virtual at this time. That includes the 5 p.m. Jan. 26 City Council meeting. Prior to the formal meeting, City Council will hold a 3 p.m. virtual City Council work session on affordable housing. The work session agenda is located
Asheville City Council voted 6 to 1 May 28 to accept an offer for a 5- to 10-year naming rights agreement with Harrah’s Cherokee for the Asheville Civic Center in downtown Asheville. The new agreement will replace the existing contract with U.S. Cellular that expires December 31, 2019. The vote concludes a year-long effort to explore [...]
In a continuing effort to partner with local agencies to mitigate the impacts of homelessness in our community the City of Asheville will help fund Homeward Bound’s acquisition of the Days Inn on Tunnel Road for permanent supportive housing for our homeless population. At their July 27 meeting, Asheville City Council approved a [...]
Recognizing the additional threat of harm posed by COVID-19 to already vulnerable unsheltered residents, the City of Asheville has taken proactive measures to provide socially distanced emergency shelter to people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. Initially, the City provided temporary shelter to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness who are at increased risk for COVID-19 because of age [...]
Asheville City Council wishes everyone a safe and healthy New Years Eve and New Year! We encourage all residents to follow this guidance from Buncombe County Health and Human Services. Happy New Year, Asheville!
Interim Director of Equity and Inclusion Brenda Mills, and Interim Director of Community and Economic Development, Nikki Reid, have both been promoted to permanent director for their respective departments. After a national search, Asheville City Manager Debra Campbell found the talent and the passion for public service she sought to fill two important director positions within [...]
After a national search, City Manager Debra Campbell is excited to announce that D. Tyrell McGirt will become Asheville’s next Parks & Recreation Director. McGirt succeeds Roderick Simmons, who retired earlier this year, after 14 years with the City. His first day on the job will be January 24. McGirt comes to Asheville from his latest [...]
After a national search, City Manager Debra Campbell is excited to announce that Rachel Wood will become Asheville’s next Assistant City Manager. Her first day on the job will be January 24. Wood comes to the City of Asheville from Denton, Texas, where she has served in a number of roles, most recently as Deputy Director [...]
The City of Asheville’s Office of Economic Development hosts the City Manager’s Development Forum twice a year, in May and November. The next forum is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 15, at the U.S. Cellular Center Banquet Hall, 87 Haywood St. The forum — which is free and open to the public — [...]
We want to share with the community an update about the Asheville Police Department interim leadership and the process for selecting a new Police Chief. As previously announced, APD Chief Chris Bailey has decided to resign for personal reasons. His last day will be Sept. 27. Asheville City Manager Debra Campbell has named Robert C. White (Retired) [...]
Please note: Due to weather, Parks & Recreation has changed some of it’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day programming, as listed below. Asheville City government offices will be closed Jan. 17 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Here is a look at City services affected by this holiday. Trash and recycling Though [...]
Get ready to cool it this summer at Asheville City pools. All three pools will open for the summer on June 8. Here is information on hours, admission, pool passes and swimming lessons for the children. City pools Recreation Park Pool, 65 Gashes Creek Road: Open June 8-Aug. 11, then Saturdays and Sundays only Aug. 17.-Sept. 2. [...]
The elevator at the Civic Center Parking Deck will be closed for repair starting Jan. 22. This project is expected to take 90 days. The City of Asheville asks for parking patrons’ patience during this much-needed improvement. City of Asheville Parking Services diligently works toward continuous improvements with integrity, diversity and innovation, to provide convenient, safe, [...]
Update, 7:30 p.m. January 17 Asheville’s Code Purple has been extended through January 20 in response to the recent snowfall and cold temperatures. Update, 10:30 a.m. January 17 Asheville’s Code Purple has been extended through January 18 in response to the recent snowfall and cold temperatures. Update, 5:00 p.m. January 15 Asheville’s Code Purple has been extended through January 16 [...]
In March, City of Asheville staff will once again engage neighborhoods in the development of three small neighborhood lots on West Chestnut Street, Lufty Avenue, and Kentucky Drive for affordable housing. Several weeks ago, finalists were named for the Neighborhood Lots for Affordable Housing Request for Proposals (RFP) process to develop the lots. The finalists are [...]
Virtual assistance available for applicants The City of Asheville’s Community Development (CD) Department is now accepting applications for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME, “Home Investment Partnerships Program” program. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m Feb. 5, 2021. Community Development Staff is happy to offer virtual assistance during the month of January (from Jan. [...]
Amanda Levesque, left, and Clare Hanrahan check on plants at the Elder & Sage Community Garden, 33-35 Page Ave., downtown. Planking and raised beds make the garden accessible to those in wheelchairs. These two friendly words just seem to go together: community garden. After all, you get two things out of it — community with like-minded people or neighbors [...]
Asheville Water Resources continues to make improvements at its water treatment facilities. Current circumstances, combined with hot, dry weather, have produced water demand at a level that will be difficult to sustain. For this reason, the City of Asheville is asking our customers to take voluntary water conservation measures. You can reduce usage the following ways: Stop outdoor [...]
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 [...]
Featured artists announced The Asheville Downtown Association will host a virtual Independence Day Celebration on the Fourth of July. Set to begin at 4 p.m., the online concert event is presented by Ingles Markets, with support from Explore Asheville, and produced in partnership with the City of Asheville. Featured artists include: BoogiTherapi with Ryan RNB Barber – funk [...]
Solar power is on the rise in the U.S. — and in Asheville. Here are steps the City is taking to encourage solar energy. While solar makes up about 2 percent of the energy generated nationwide, the City of Asheville is working to remove barriers to this sustainable energy source. In the past year, the City’s Office of Sustainability trained [...]
Understanding the continuing economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Asheville is extending the safeguarding of City utility accounts for all customers from shut-offs due to nonpayment. To be clear: Bills will not be forgiven, but rather customers who fell behind in payments will be offered payment plans to help them catch up [...]
Kick off Event of the child passenger safety awareness week. The event will be held on September 24th, from 10:00 to 14:00 hours, at 800 Brevard Rd Avl. Outlets, next to Sportsman’s Warehouse.
The Asheville Fire Department is excited to announce a partnership with Black Mountain-based Paws & Effect to integrate a facility dog, Denali, into one of its local fire stations. Traditionally, dogs were used to provide companionship and safety for horses used to transport equipment from a station to a fire. While horses are no longer a [...]
The Asheville Fire Department has been working closely with technology partner First Due to release Community Connect, a website focused on protecting residents and their property in the most effective way possible during an incident or major disaster. Community Connect is a secure, easy-to-use website that allows residents to share critical information about their [...]
The Asheville Fire Department is requesting the authorization to apply for a FEMA Firefighters Grant of $130,910 to provide funding to purchase two air compressors to allow greater accessibility to fill air bottles used by firefighters during operation at a fire scene. During their June 22 meeting, Asheville City Council authorized a resolution for the City [...]
Ten years ago on July 28, 2011, Asheville Fire Captain Jeff Bowen, a 13-year veteran, lost his life while battling an arson fire in a high-rise building at 445 Biltmore Ave. The Asheville Fire Department will hold a remembrance ceremony on July 28, 2021, to honor our brother. This ceremony will be held at 9:30 [...]
The Asheville Fire Department proudly accepted the Community Service award for 2021 from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) at their virtual World Congress 16 conference held May 25-27. The WNC Peer Support Network nominated AFD based on our proactive approach to resilience and mental [...]
Asheville Fire investigators will have more tools to dig into debris to determine the origin and cause of fires under a FEMA grant accepted by Asheville City Council during their Sept. 22 meeting. The FEMA’s Fire Prevention & Safety Grant will provide specialized equipment for AFD’s Fire Marshal investigators, such as mobile software for documentation (iPads), [...]
Hey Asheville, have you wondered what kind of fire truck AFD’s dual driver ladder truck is? It’s called a tiller truck or a tractor drawn aerial (TDA). This hook-and-ladder truck features a specialized turntable ladder mounted on a semi-trailer truck. Ladder 1 was purchased for $1.2 million back in 2019. It runs out of the downtown [...]
An Elon University poll released Feb. 9 shows that 12 percent of North Carolinians say they have already received the COVID-19 vaccine and another 45 percent say they will get vaccinated once the shots are available to them. That’s an increase from 33 percent in favor of the vaccine in October and 40.5 [...]
Registration open for second summit to be held on November 14 A coordinated effort to improve food waste reduction is underway. The Food Waste Solutions Summit is a regional gathering to disrupt food waste issues facing our communities, expand our networks, and inspire dynamic solutions. This second summit, to be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. [...]
Funding now in place for Asheville greenway projects will pave the way for spring 2020 construction. These shovel-ready projects are funded in part by state and federal transportation money administered through the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). They include: French Broad River West: This 1-mile greenway will fill a greenway gap [...]
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 City of Asheville contracted a study to examine the housing market for the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. The study by Bowen National Research provides a high-level overview of the current market, including affordability issues, as well as areas of affordability that remain challenging for the region. The study points to many issues [...]
In support of Asheville Police Chief David Zack’s recommendation of an outside independent investigation into Asheville Police’s response to recent protests, City Council has requested that the City Attorney’s Office, under the direction of City Attorney Brad Branham, lead the effort to select the investigator. This move is aimed at maximizing accountability and transparency to [...]
City also suspends on-street parking enforcement, opens garages for free During this COVID-19 public health emergency, the City of Asheville is working to increase the safety and security of our community, which is always a top priority. One of those ways is through encouraging social distancing. Toward that end, the City’s ART bus service is putting a system [...]
We’ve heard a lot following this month’s waterline break! As we continue to invest millions of dollars in our water delivery system, there may be disruptions. While City staff do their best to minimize the inconvenience of water outages and boil water advisories, they will unfortunately happen from time to time. And we are doing everything [...]
Program is designed to help landlords make providing affordable housing more feasible Twenty-five landlords in Asheville now have a chance to be part of an innovative solution to the affordable housing crisis in our area. Thrive Asheville, an initiative of UNC Asheville that brings together local community advocates, policymakers, and professionals from diverse perspectives to find equitable solutions [...]
City Manager Debra Campbell speaks from the podium while Assistant City Manager Cathy Ball looks on. At a glance Monday’s water line break in the River Arts District was unrelated to the discolored water issue. Instead, it stemmed from an equipment failure in a construction project was completed on Sunday. A water line repair last week caused significant amounts [...]
A statement from Mayor Esther Manheimer: I respect everyone’s right to demonstrate and express their anger, sadness and frustration. It is important that we support the people’s right to expression, while still ensuring the safety of everyone in our community. Following the last two nights of unrest and destruction of property, I am declaring a city-wide State [...]
Following the cooperative efforts of community and demonstration leaders, instances of property damage have diminished, allowing subsequent protests within the City to be conducted peacefully. Mayor Manheimer has ended the State of Emergency and lifts the curfew. Proclamation ending State of Emergency
The City of Asheville has a strong record and long-standing commitment to sustainability. That’s why Mayor Esther Manheimer signed on to a letter sent by Climate Mayors to Congressional leaders urging bold action to protect our planet and build a more just economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Because only bold action can tackle [...]
Dec. 12 marks the five-year anniversary of the world coming together to sign on to the Paris Agreement and the City of Asheville is marking the moment by committing to a national mobilization for a clean energy economy and centering their own operations in pursuit of climate action. In doing so, Asheville joins over 1,000 [...]
In concert with Buncombe County, on March 12, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer signed a State of Emergency proclamation for the City of Asheville, based on the public health emergency posed by COVID-19. As part of the City’s State of Emergency, organized gatherings of 250 or more persons were prohibited on City-owned property. Shortly after the City’s State [...]
In recognition of City frontline and onsite employees who have remained on the job during the COVID pandemic, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer issued a proclamation designating Jan. 12 as City Employee Heroes Day. While all employees are essential workers, because all City jobs have to be done in order to provide our community with vital City services, approximately [...]
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the City of Asheville has maintained our essential services in police, fire, transit, water — and sanitation. We are proud to have been able to continue our trash and recycling collections during this difficult time in which everyone has to maintain social distancing to help prevent spread of the [...]
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, and neighborhood camaraderie. Join the rest of the nation in getting to know your neighbors and “give crime and drugs a going away party.” National Night Out is a national event celebrated by communities all around the country. The 2019 [...]
On Jan. 28, 2020, Asheville City Council passed a Resolution Endorsing Declaration of a Climate Emergency and Emergency Mobilization Effort to Restore a Safe Climate. You can read a copy of the resolution at this link. The City’s Office of Sustainability would like to provide a community update on work related to [...]
We are in a period of uncertainty, anxiety, and confusion. How do we come together to support each other, stay productive, and stay safe? How do we continue to advance our values of environmental and social justice? With the uncertainty posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is becoming more apparent that sustainability is not just [...]
Did you know that in the US nearly 40% of food is wasted, clogging our landfills and costing us over $408 billion annually?! The City of Asheville is working hard to think of solutions to reduce our waste and save our food. The City of Asheville’s Office of Sustainability, in partnership with Sanitation and Buncombe County, [...]
Parking fees at City of Asheville garages will change, starting July 1. The good news is that the first hour free will still apply to motorists who truly use less than 1 hour at a City parking garage. If you stay longer, however, you will be charged for the first hour under the new structure. The hourly rate [...]
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 [...]
