2013 Asheville-Buncombe Memorial Day Ceremony

On Monday, May 27, the City of Asheville Mayor’s Committee on Veterans Affairs and Buncombe County presented the 2013 Memorial Day ceremony at Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park. The ceremony commemorates the sacrifice and service that men and women have given in the name of protecting the nation, and was attended by veterans and [...]

ABC Board launches PSA against underage drinking

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

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

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

Asheville chosen as an AT&T GigaPower city

AT&T announced that Asheville will be among cities where AT&T plans to to expand the availability of ultra-fast speeds through AT&T GigaPower to homes, apartments and small businesses. AT&T’s GigaPower is described as an “ultra-fast Internet service.” Internet speeds up to 1 gigabit per second over the AT&T GigaPower network let you instantly access the latest online [...]

Asheville City Council approves putting bond referendums to voters

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

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

    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 [...]

Asheville kicks off RiverWay redevelopment planning process

In a kickoff event at the River District’s Riverview Station, the City of Asheville announced the launch of a environmental study and preliminary redesign process for Riverside Drive and Lyman Street. The announcement marks a step toward the realization of the Wilma Dykeman Riverway Plan, a system of parks and greenways, roadway improvements, and context-sensitive development [...]

Asheville Mayor calls on activists to exercise their rights peacefully

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer calls on activists to exercise their rights peacefully, with respect for the law, and with respect for others.   “Since Charlottesville, the people of Asheville have overwhelmingly expressed that they oppose Neo-Nazi and White Supremacist agendas,” the Mayor noted. “Since Charlottesville, more people have become galvanized to work together to dismantle institutional racism [...]

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer announces City Manager Gary Jackson’s retirement

Gary Jackson today is publicly announcing his retirement as City Manager of Asheville.   Gary has served Asheville faithfully and effectively since June 27, 2005. He has served with dignity and integrity. The City of Asheville owes Gary a huge debt of gratitude for his leadership and effectiveness throughout his tenure. We will miss Gary greatly and [...]

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer declares State of Emergency, issues curfew

  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 [...]

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer issues statement about hate speech

A statement from Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer:   “A number of people have contacted me in the past week to tell me about incidents of hate speech in our community.” “I am disheartened to learn that members of our minority and LGBT communities have been the victims of hate speech, harassment and intimidation. These disgraceful actions will not [...]

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer releases statement

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

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer signs Climate Mayors letter urging Congressional leadership to advance a sustainable economic recovery

  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 [...]

Asheville Mayor issues statement about civil liberties resolution

A statement by Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer:   With the recently signed executive order, many in our community are worried and scared about what their future holds.  Please know that Asheville remains an open and welcoming community where we recognize that our nation’s strength was born out of our diversity.  Our diversity is to be respected and [...]

Asheville Mayor issues statement about introduction of bill to repeal HB2

Asheville Esther Manheimer released the following statement today:   “Yesterday Representative Chuck McGrady, along with Representatives Marvin Lucas, Ken Goodman and Ted Davis, filed House Bill 186 titled Repeal HB2/State Nondiscrimination Policies. I appreciate Representative McGrady’s and his colleagues’ continued efforts to identify a bipartisan solution that will bring back our conventions, sporting events and further our [...]

Asheville Mayor Manheimer amends State of Emergency proclamation, limiting organized gatherings on City property to 100

  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 [...]

Asheville Mayor Manheimer issues statement about police video

On behalf of City Council, I apologize to Mr. Rush, an African American resident, regarding his treatment by Asheville Police on Aug. 24, 2017.   The City Council first learned, last night, from local media, about a highly disturbing video of an Asheville Police Officer assaulting Mr. Rush over jaywalking on Aug. 24, 2017.   The City Council and [...]

Asheville Mayor Manheimer issues statement condemning hate speech, promoting unity

In the wake of the tragic events in Charlottesville, Va., the Asheville community condemns the actions of people who espouse hate speech against any race or ethnicity, and especially those who promote white supremacy. Let us be clear that inclusion and diversity are core values of the City of Asheville. City Council’s Vision 2036 promotes [...]

Asheville Mayor Manheimer issues statement on the passing of the Rev. Billy Graham

Photo courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Evangelist Billy Graham died Feb. 21 at his home in Montreat. He was 99.   A message from Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer: As Mayor of the City of Asheville, I would like to express my deep condolences to the Graham family on the passing of the Rev. Billy Graham, at age [...]

Asheville Mayor recognizes frontline and onsite City employees with proclamation

  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 [...]

Asheville Mayor to give State of the City address

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer will give a State of the City address at noon Oct. 4 in the U.S. Cellular Center Banquet Hall. Mayor Manheimer’s speech will focus on Asheville’s progress in the past year along with the proposed bond referendum and priorities for the future. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Doors will [...]

Asheville Mayor, councilmembers sworn into office

Surrounded by her family, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer takes her oath of office for her second term Dec. 5, 2017.     Re-elected Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and three councilmembers were sworn into office Dec. 5 in City Hall’s Council Chambers.  These included re-elected councilwoman Gwen Wisler and newly elected councilmembers Sheneika Smith and Vijay Kapoor.   After the Pledge of Allegiance, Assistant [...]

Asheville Memorial Day Concert and Ceremony cancelled due to rain

Citizen-Times file photo Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, right, will make remarks during the Memorial Day Concert and Ceremony.   Updated information: We honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, but unfortunately due to a weather forecast predicting heavy rain, today’s Memorial Day Concert and Ceremony has been cancelled.     Earlier announcement: The City of Asheville Mayor’s Committee for [...]

Asheville Police Department graduates 32 from Citizens Police Academy

In a Tuesday evening ceremony, the Asheville Police Department recognized 32 people who completed its Citizens Police Academy. The program, offered twice a year, takes participants through in-depth tours and descriptions of the inner workings of the Asheville Police Department to give them a better understanding of law enforcement and build relationships with APD officers. “The [...]

Asheville Police Department promotes two to rank of sergeant

The Asheville Police Department is proud to announce the promotions of two of its officers. On Wednesday, November 20, fifteen year veteran Detective Ricardo Martinez and Senior Police Officer Shaun Ward, an 11 year veteran, were promoted to the rank of sergeant at a ceremony in Asheville City Council Chambers. The ceremony was officiated by Asheville [...]

Asheville recognized for Blue Horizons project in national climate awards

  Asheville’s Blue Horizons Project earned the City an Honorable Mention in the Mayors Climate Protection Awards announced at the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Honolulu today.   Mayor Esther Manheimer is a participant in this climate consortium made up of mayors across the nation.   The Blue Horizons Project works to reduce the region’s peak [...]

Asheville-Buncombe Memorial Day Ceremony 2012

Monday, May 28 saw the commemoration of Memorial Day in a ceremony held on Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park and presented by The City of Asheville Mayor’s Committee on Veterans Affairs and Buncombe County. The ceremony commemorates the sacrifice and service that men and women have given in the name of protecting the nation, [...]

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

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

Celebrating the newest link on the Reed Creek Greenway

A gathering of bicyclists, joggers, walkers and parents with strollers celebrated the opening of a new section of the Reed Creek Greenway on Saturday, Sept. 8. The event marked the latest addition to the City of Asheville’s growing greenway network. The Reed Creek greenway runs parallel to Broadway Street, crossing Cauble Street, and the addition is [...]

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

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

City of Asheville mobilizes to ensure safety during Tropical Storm Fred flooding

  As remnants of Tropical Storm Fred hit the Asheville area yesterday and into the night, many City of Asheville departments worked in coordination to keep the people of our community safe.  The City activated the emergency operations center early afternoon on Tuesday, Aug. 17, in order to best coordinate City efforts and to work in [...]

City of Asheville offices close for Memorial Day holiday; Sanitation and ART buses run on holiday schedule

The City of Asheville offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day, May 30, a federally designated holiday that honors military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces.     Here is a roundup of other City services affected by this holiday, as well as [...]

City of Asheville Opens French Broad Greenway Extension

On May 14, The City of Asheville and its partners celebrated the official opening of the 1.2 mile French Broad River Greenway Extension. The West Asheville bike and pedestrian route represents the longest continuous stretch in the city’s greenway system and connects to one of the city’s most-utilized park facilities, Carrier Park, to the Hominy [...]

City of Asheville, Buncombe County and Veterans Council to host LIVE  Memorial Day Ceremony

The City of Asheville and Buncombe County will host a Memorial Day Ceremony at 3:00 p.m. May 30, 2022 at the Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park.   The ceremony will feature short readings by Brothers And Sisters Like These Veterans Writing Group who write to heal the wounds of war. Pastor Spencer [...]

City of Asheville, Buncombe County to host virtual Memorial Day Ceremony and here’s how you can view it 

    Because of the continued need for physical distance posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Asheville-Buncombe Memorial Day Ceremony will again be held as a virtual ceremony.   John Mason The keynote speaker will be USMC Veteran John Mason, who was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star Medal for Valor during his time in Vietnam 1968 [...]

City’s Youth Leadership Academy class recognized and encouraged by Mayor

    Going to college, getting guidance on how to get there and intern experience along the way form key components of the City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy, also known as CAYLA. At City Council’s April 23 meeting, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer recognized the 38 CAYLA participants from this year’s class. It’s a proud [...]

Groundhog Day at the WNC Nature Center

The word everyone was waiting for came out of the WNC Nature Center on Wednesday afternoon, as Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy and Nibbles the Groundhog had a Groundhog’s Day conference to predict the coming of Spring. The media event fell on the same day as the nationally-followed prediction by Punxsutawney Phil, but as Education naturalist Eli [...]

Heroism, accomplishments by city employees, recognized by Mayor and City Council

Six city employees were recognized by Asheville City Council at its August 13 meeting. Council thanked for their hard work, drive for improvement, and, in one case, heroism. Darlene Barnwell, who works in the city’s Customer Service Division, received a standing ovation for her heroic rescue of an 8-year-old boy who was being attacked by dogs [...]

Historic panels installed on Montford bus shelters

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, above right, joined members of the Montford community  in an Oct. 3 celebration of five panels outlining the neighborhood’s history recently installed on City bus shelters along Montford Avenue. The panels honor Montford’s lost homes, past residents, bygone scenes and African American heritage. They highlight the neighborhood’s diversity and its struggles with poverty, [...]

Mayor Bellamy: Glen Rock Depot advances city strategies

The City of Asheville was one of many partners recognized at Thursday’s grand opening and ribbon cutting at the Glen Rock Depot at 372 Depot Street in the city’s River Arts District. The opening of the 60-unit mixed-use apartment complex by Mountain Housing opportunities is in stride with Asheville City Council’s strategies for affordable, green [...]

Mayor Esther Manheimer proclaims July as Parks and Recreation Month

Parks are at the center of so many experiences, memories, and milestones – moments that park and recreation professionals make happen. The U.S. House of Representatives has designated July as Park and Recreation Month, emphasizing the outsized role parks play in regards to social equity, personal wellness, and community resiliency. At Asheville City Council’s most [...]

Mayor gives State of the City address

City of Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer delivered her third annual State of the City Address Oct. 4 at the US Cellular Center. The Mayor highlighted the City Council Strategic Vision with an emphasis on equity and diversity and what city is doing in these areas.  “What we can do is focus on our service delivery, our [...]

Mayor issues statement regarding HB2

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer has issued a statement regarding HB2:   “In light of the passage of HB2, it is important for the City of Asheville to reiterate our core values of embracing diversity and equal opportunity — captured in the recently adopted vision statement by the Asheville City Council.”   “Asheville is a welcoming city that thrives [...]

Mayor Manheimer to participate in Leadership Asheville panel discussion

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer will participate in a July 21 panel discussion at the next Leadership Asheville Summer Buzz Breakfast. The topic will be “Asheville’s Direction.” Jim Stokely, president of the Wilma Dykeman Legacy, will moderate the panel. Other panel participants include UNC Asheville Chancellor Mary K. Grant and The Collider CEO Bill Dean. The talk will [...]

Memorial Day Concert and Ceremony to be held in Pack Square Park

The City of Asheville Mayor’s Committee for Veterans Affairs will host its annual Memorial Day Concert and Ceremony on the Roger McGuire Green stage of Pack Square Park starting at 2:30 p.m. May 29. The award-winning North Carolina Fort Bragg 82nd Airborne Band will perform before, after and during the ceremony. Asheville’s noted choral group The Reuter [...]

N.C. Mayors meet in Asheville

On Thursday Sep. 24 and Friday Sept. 25, Asheville was host to a gathering of the N.C. Metropolitan Mayors Coalition. Mayors from North Carolina’s 26 largest cities, including Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy, gathered to discuss important issues common to their municipalities and build an advocacy agenda to present to the North Carolina General Assembly. The N.C. [...]

NC Supreme Court ruling allows City of Asheville to retain water system

The North Carolina Supreme Court has issued a decision. The decision indicates that the Court has overturned the original legislation which allows the City of Asheville to retain operation of the water system. City legal staff is currently reviewing the decision and will issue any additional information as it becomes available. The decision is posted on [...]

New Oakley Police Resource Center opens in East Asheville

The Asheville Police Department’s recently opened Oakley Resource Center is the result of a series of partnerships and collaborations, all of which, says APD Chief William Hogan, were critical to the project’s success. The 2,500 square-foot facility provides a satellite station for the APD’s Baker District, which serves north and east Asheville, and officially opened with [...]

Newly amended Asheville State of Emergency proclamation in response to COVID-19 limits gatherings to 10

  In alignment with Buncombe County, on March 19, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer signed a newly amended State of Emergency proclamation for the City of Asheville, based on the public health emergency posed by COVID-19.   This proclamation limits public gatherings on property owned by the City of Asheville to no more than 10 people.   The new order adheres [...]

One-stop portal: Press releases, graphics and documents related to APD excessive use of force investigation in one place

The City of Asheville has gathered all press releases, graphics and documents related to a former Asheville Police officer excessive use of force investigation into this portal on the City of Asheville website. The information relates to an use of excessive force against Johnnie Jermaine Rush by former Officer Christopher Hickman in August 2017. See the links [...]

Photos: City of Asheville 911 remembrance

The City of Asheville held a 911 remembrance ceremony downtown Friday. The event honored the 2,996 people who died during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and on hijacked United Airlines Flight 93. The Asheville Fire Department Honor Guard placed a wreath in honor of those who died. Mayor Esther Manheimer [...]

Plaque honoring African American brick artisan to be dedicated at Asheville’s Municipal Building

James Vester Miller     Born a slave, an Asheville man went on to leave his fingerprints on some of Asheville’s most prominent buildings. At 4 p.m. July 27, a plaque commemorating the contributions of famed African American brick artisan James Vester Miller will be dedicated in front of Asheville’s Municipal Building, 100 Court Plaza. Mayor Esther Manheimer will [...]

Public/private partnership restores high-speed communication to Asheville’s emergency responders

Fire engines and police cruisers alike lit up on September 17 at the Murphy-Oakley Community Center and Fire Station Building, but they were not responding to an emergency. The blue and red lights were flashing in celebration of a high-speed communication connection that means better and faster service responses by Asheville’s emergency responders. The City of [...]

The City of Asheville congratulates Shangri-La Industries and Step Up on Second Street on the groundbreaking of supportive housing for homeless population 

December 13, Shangri-La Industries and Step Up, with the support of the City of Asheville, broke ground on the former Ramada, providing 113 units of permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness in Asheville.                                                [...]

Three promoted in Asheville Police Dept.

Three Asheville Police Officers took on new roles at a Jan. 31 ceremony at Asheville City Hall, with two receiving promotions and another filling a major leadership role in the department. Lts. Stony Gonce and Christopher Reece-Young were both promoted to the rank of Captain at the ceremony and sworn in by Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy. Reece-Young [...]

Video: Mayor Manheimer’s State of the City address

City of Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer delivered her second annual State of the City Address Oct. 1 at the US Cellular Center. “It is the job of your City Council to hear the people and take their words, their views, their vision and create a plan that reflects the values of our community,” the Mayor said [...]