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 [...]
A new City of Asheville website is slated to launch in the first quarter of 2017. As we begin a new year, let’s look ahead to five City of Asheville projects our residents will notice in 2017. Guided by City Council’s 2036 Vision, these focus areas of equity in City services are led [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
RiverLink and partners seek to name the creek that begins in Aston Park and flows into the French Broad River behind 12 Bones in the River Arts District. Working with the City of Asheville, we are seeking name suggestions from the members of three local groups — WECAN (West End/Clingman Avenue Neighborhood), RADBA (River Arts [...]
Fix comes just in time for kayaking, tubing season High waters during winter washed away the better part of the river access stairs at Jean Webb Park, as will sometimes happen. This past week, Asheville Parks & Recreation staff went to work and restored the access stairs, using material from the French Broad River itself. “We used rock [...]
The draft form-based code for Asheville’s River Arts District has been released, and the City needs your feedback now more than ever. The draft code is basically a recommended rezoning for the project area, but it is not yet final. Staff expects that there will be many changes made to the draft to make sure it fits with the [...]
The newest phase of riverfront redevelopment work in Asheville involves some building demolition on the Lyman Street corridor for the RADTIP project. RADTIP stands for River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project, a City of Asheville multi-modal transportation project that includes the installation of sidewalks, street trees, public art, bike lanes and greenways. It also includes realignment of some [...]
As part of the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP), the City of Asheville is asking residents to help determine how public art will be integrated into the RADTIP project area. The project area is a 2.2-mile corridor along Riverside Drive that runs from Hill Street to Amboy Road. The City of Asheville is committed [...]
Each third Thursday of the month, the City of Asheville Riverfront Redevelopment Office hosts Open Office Hours at City Hall. On April 21, please join us from 3 to 5 p.m. to talk about plans and ideas to support river recreation. These meetings are informal in that you can drop in at any time. Topics of [...]
The City is continuing to implement the River Arts District (RAD) Public Art Plan. The City of Asheville and the Public Art and Cultural Commission (PACC) seek qualified artists to submit Letters of Interest in becoming one of three artists asked to submit proposals for a project called Playful Art. When complete, Playful Art will provide [...]
The City of Asheville is excited to announce an opportunity to lease two unique City-owned properties. The City invites the business community and local nonprofits to review the Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and apply for these opportunities. Each location has a separate RFP and will require an individual application. The City has released a Request [...]
Utility relocation that has been going on in Asheville’s River Arts District is being done in coordination with the City’s River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP). When it comes to regional utility and communications firms, Asheville’s Public Works and Water Resources departments take a collaborative approach to the growth going in in Asheville. Every six weeks, [...]
Asheville residents are invited to a community celebration of Wilma Dykeman’s birthday from 4-6 p.m. this Friday, May 20, in Jean Webb Park, 30 Riverside Drive. The City will be on hand to provide information about the next three years of Riverfront Redevelopment activities, including sharing the final report on public art in the River [...]
In June, the City of Asheville announced that staff will need to phase in the building of some components of the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP), due to budgetary constraints. City Council authorized construction of a modified RADTIP plan on June 27, one that preserves core project elements. These include roadway [...]
A new river access point is being built on the French Broad River in Asheville’s River Arts District — a boat ramp on Riverside Drive just south of the Smith Bridge. The City of Asheville partnered with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to make this project happen. While the ramp and dock are in place, construction [...]
At left is Riverfront Office Director Stephanie Monson Dahl. On the right is Asheville Greenways Coordinator Lucy Crown. Both will lead tours during the N.C. Planning Conference in Asheville this week. When the N.C. Planning Conference comes to Asheville this week, City of Asheville Planning staff will be embedded in the conference, hosting events and [...]
The City of Asheville is seeking public feedback on a second draft of the River Arts District Form Based Code. Public comment will be taken through January 20. Why a form-based code? Traditional land development code regulates how a building can be used: housing is available in residential districts, and businesses can only be located in commercial districts. [...]
After seven years of planning with the community, construction of Asheville’s River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP) will begin in August 2017. Please join Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and other dignitaries for an official groundbreaking at 9 a.m. Aug. 23 at Jean Webb Park, 30 Riverside Drive. In keeping with the artistic nature of the [...]
In June, the City announced that staff will need to phase building components of the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP) due to budgetary constraints. City Council authorized construction of the modified RADTIP on June 27. At this same meeting, Council directed staff to analyze the feasibility of widening the southern section of the [...]
ATTENTION MINORITY/HUB CONTRACTORS: Beverly-Grant/Barnhill, a 50/50 Joint Venture has been selected as the Construction Manager at Risk for the City of Asheville’s new Tiger VI Suite of Projects and will be conducting the following Disadvantage Business Enterprises (DBEs) Informational Session. You are encouraged to attend the following session to learn more about project participation opportunities available to [...]
An historic building renovated to enhance the character of Asheville’s River Arts District (RAD) will open to the public this month. Everyone is invited to come see the 14 Riverside Drive Arts & Culture Center during its grand opening, 3 to 6 p.m. July 21. This formerly bricked up building on a key corridor in the RAD [...]
NOTE: This event has been moved to June 13 because of flooding that occurred on the original date of May 30. Interested in the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP) and greenway? Come be part of a conversation about riverside ecology and natural habitat from 5 to 7 p.m. June 30 at the Wedge at [...]
Interested in the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP) and greenway? Come be part of a conversation about riverside ecology and natural habitat during an open house 5 to 7 p.m. April 18 at 14 Riverside Drive. We will discuss the French Broad River Tree and Riparian Enhancement Plan which will support the natural environment [...]
Trash Trout, provided by Asheville GreenWorks The City of Asheville invites the community to celebrate the unveiling of new public art installations at 3 p.m. Nov. 30. The event will start at Jean Webb Park at 30 Riverside Drive, and end at the Craven Street Boat Launch at 190 Riverside Drive. The purpose is to highlight the [...]
The draft form-based code for Asheville’s River Arts District has been released as is available on the project website. The draft code is basically a recommended rezoning for the project area, but it is not final. Staff expects that there will be many changes made to the draft to make sure it fits with the community’s vision for [...]
The form-based code for the River Arts District has been an ongoing City project over the past two years. City staff has worked with property and business owners, neighbors and the community to develop this set of new zoning districts that are tailored to the area. The final draft of the River Arts District Form [...]
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 [...]
City releases updated timeline for code project The draft form-based code for the River Arts District has been released. The draft code is basically a recommended rezoning for the project area, but it is not final. Staff expects that there will be many changes made to the draft to make sure it fits with the community’s vision for the area. The [...]
Open City Hall is a new online citizen engagement tool being used by the City of Asheville to make it easier for residents to provide input on City efforts. So far, more than 1,100 people have given feedback on previous topics. There are two topics open now through May 8. We’d like to hear from [...]
Sometimes you have to rearrange a landscape to achieve a new vision. Old plants come out, new ones come in, but things can look a bit messy in the meantime. Think of that analogy on a larger scale when it comes to Asheville’s River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP). In preparation for the construction of two [...]
With the help of the City of Asheville, the River Arts District Business Association (RADBA), the River Arts District Artists (RADA) and the West End/Clingman Avenue Neighborhood (WECAN), RiverLink’s “Name That Creek” program aims to put another name on the Asheville map. This sixth Name That Creek campaign centers on a small stream that begins in [...]
A bricked-up building on Riverside Drive will find new life as a City of Asheville event space. The structure at 14 Riverside Drive, just across from Curve Studios, once served as a shop/office/storage facility for the Asheville Gas Company. It’s a contributing historic structure in the River Arts District. Gifted to the City of Asheville, transformation [...]
We want your input! The City of Asheville has embarked on a form-based code process for the River Arts District. We’ve seen the benefits of a form-based code in downtown, where it has added to the predictability of development for the community and developers, ensured that new buildings are compatible with surrounding areas, and has made [...]
Asheville residents can look upon the new year with optimism. Together, we’ve weathered a pandemic and a vaccine will be available this year. Even so, the City of Asheville’s response to COVID-19 will continue in the new year, in coordination with the state of North Carolina and Buncombe County. Residents can look forward to advances in [...]
City of Asheville partners with NC Wildlife Resource Commission on new river access A new river access point on the French Broad River in Asheville’s River Arts District has just opened. This is a boat ramp on Riverside Drive just south of the Smith Bridge (190 Riverside Drive). The City of Asheville partnered with North Carolina Wildlife [...]
Heads up to folks who cross the railroad tracks in the River Arts District. The Norfolk Southern (NS) road crossing on Riverside Drive near Southern States (464 Riverside Drive) will close for a one-day maintenance on March 28. The closure is expected to last around 10 hours to complete. This is not a City of [...]
Since 2010, the City of Asheville has been working on the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP): a transformative project in the River Arts District that will strengthen transportation connections. Through improvements to roadways, intersections, stormwater and bridges; and additions to sidewalks, bike lanes, greenways and on-street parking along Lyman Street and Riverside Drive adjacent to [...]
A presentation at Asheville-Buncombe Technical College on Saturday Jan. 22 offered a glimpse at what could be the future of transportation in Asheville’s River Arts District, and attendees had the chance to give their input into how they envision changes in the corridor. The presentation was the first in a series of public input opportunities and [...]
The City of Asheville’s River Arts District (RAD) Form-Based Code is currently in the final review and approval stage of the adoption process. As opposed to traditional zoning code, which keeps uses (like residential and commercial) separate from one another, form-based code focuses more on the look and placement of new buildings to help maintain [...]
Demolition of the Anders Tobacco Warehouse happened Aug. 22. When driving along Riverside Drive, you will notice a few changes. On August 22, the demolition of Anders Tobacco Warehouse got underway as part of the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP). Neighbors can expect to see more demolition activity as the old 12 Bones Smokehouse [...]
RADTIP improvements will widen Riverside Drive, adding bike lanes and sidewalks to make it safer for all modes of transportation. After years of careful planning, an exciting phase is about to begin in Asheville’s River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project, known as RADTIP. And that is the construction phase. After more than two years of [...]
The City of Asheville is excited to announce the beginning of pre-construction activities in the River Arts District for River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP), an important transportation project that improves public safety and includes the installation of sidewalks, street trees, public art, bike lanes and greenways. City staff will communicate with the public throughout [...]
In 2017, the City of Asheville broke ground on the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project, known as RADTIP. You may have noticed greenway installation work along Riverside Drive between Jean Webb Park and the Craven Street Bridge. In early January, construction on the southern end of the RADTIP greenway will begin along Lyman Street between [...]
Each third Thursday of the month the Riverfront Redevelopment Office hosts open office hours. This Thursday, please join us to talk more about Form Based Code for the River Arts District. From 3-5 p.m. Nov. 19, staff will be available on the 5th Floor of City Hall to answer your questions and hear your feedback. The City’s [...]
This Thursday, Feb. 18, and every third Thursday of the month, the City of Asheville’s Riverfront Office hosts open office hours where members of the community can drop in and find out what is going on with Riverfront Development. This Thursday, please join us to talk about public art, streetscape ideas and greenways in the Riverfront. Staff [...]
Thursday, Sept. 17, and every third Thursday of the month, the City of Asheville’s Riverfront Office hosts open office hours where members of the community can drop in and find out what is going on with Riverfront development. Staff can answer your questions or provide you with an overview of what is happening now. Interested? The [...]
Each third Thursday of the month the Riverfront Redevelopment Office hosts Open Office Hours. This month the team is going to be at the Dr. Wesley Grant Southside Center. From 3 to 5 p.m. February 16, please join us to talk about updates on the preconstruction and construction phasing. Utility work continues in the district [...]
The latest riverfront development: Completion of the northern half of the French Broad River Greenway East is expected in late fall. Scroll below for a map rendering of the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project. Last August, shovels turned dirt in a community kickoff for RADTIP, the City of Asheville’s most recent riverfront improvement project. This August, [...]
Cars travel through a narrow section of Riverside Drive in the River Arts District. More public engagement coming in February Did you know that the roads in Asheville along the river were originally built over 100 years ago? The River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP) is designed to rebuild Riverside Drive and Lyman Street to modern standards. The RADTIP [...]
At its first meeting of the year, City Council received a report and viewed a video highlighting initiatives accomplished during 2015. Items ranged from the swearing in of Asheville Police Chief Tammy Hooper to the City earning a national award for its SimpliCity search engine. You can view that video at the bottom of this [...]
Though it has not yet been adopted, the City of Asheville’s River Arts District (RAD) Form-Based Code project continues to move forward. Here is an update on where it stands. The RAD Form-Based Code is currently in the final review and approval stage of the adoption process. As opposed to traditional zoning code, which keeps uses [...]
In this latest version of City Scoop, Dan Baechtold, Urban Planner II with the City of Asheville Transportation Department, discusses Riverfront redevelopment and the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP).
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 [...]
