It has been many days since the Asheville area has experienced significant rainfall and we are at a high risk of wildfires due to weather conditions, low humidity and gusty winds.
Our thriving community is built upon the collective efforts of residents, business owners, and visitors. We invite you to be an active participant in this partnership by discovering how you can contribute to the safety and cleanliness of our downtown. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that our community's values and vision are reflected in the heart of our city.
In November, three Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) community centers host “Navigating Jim Crow: The Green Book and Oasis Spaces in North Carolina,” a traveling exhibit about sites important to, and personal memories about, African American travel using The Negro Motorist Green Book during the Jim Crow era of legal segregation. Published from 1936 to 1966, the book was used as both a travel guide and a tool of resistance to confront the realities of racial discrimination in the United States and beyond. The self-guided exhibit is free and open to the public at select APR community centers.
The City of Asheville is pleased to announce significant updates to its outdoor dining program as permitted in public spaces (streets and sidewalks) after City Council approval at their regularly scheduled meeting on October 24, 2023.
The City of Asheville has released a Disparity Study report detailing its contracting and purchasing activities and practices for the past 5 years. A Disparity Study is a type of research study that is designed to assess whether there are disparities, or differences, in the participation rates and opportunities for various groups in a particular program or industry. The goal of a disparity study is to identify any barriers or obstacles that may be preventing certain groups from participating fully, and to develop strategies to promote greater diversity and inclusion.
The city announces that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) just released a new policy that now expands access to mortgage financing for homes that have or will include Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). ADUs are also known as backyard cottages, mother-in-law suites, basement apartments, ancillary units, carriage houses, and garage apartments. The City of Asheville supports ADUs as a way to spur the development of more affordable housing options and promote diversity in the types of housing choices available for residents.