2017 in review: Bonds and RADTIP get off the ground, equity initiative begins and more

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 [...]

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Asheville 2019 in review: Electric buses, election format, red pandas and more

  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 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 crew repairs river access point with materials from the river

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 [...]

Asheville to demolish building yet preserve its artwork

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 [...]

City issues call for artists for River Arts District public art project

  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 [...]

8 River Arts Place (formerly 14 Riverside Drive)

City issues Requests for Proposals for leasing 8 River Arts Place and organic farmland in east Asheville

  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 [...]

City of Asheville helps coordinate growth through Infrastructure Task Force

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, [...]

City of Asheville partners with NC Wildlife Resource Commission on new river access

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 [...]

City of Asheville planners help host state conference with bike, riverfront and walking tours

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 [...]

City of Asheville to hold groundbreaking ceremony for River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project

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 [...]

City of Asheville to hold Tiger VI information session for prospective disadvantaged/minority contractors

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 [...]

8 River Arts Place (formerly 14 Riverside Drive)

City of Asheville to launch renovated 14 Riverside Drive with grand opening

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 [...]

Community invited to unveiling of River Arts District sculpture and greenway section

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 [...]

Get the scoop on projects at City Manager’s Development Forum

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 [...]

Help name River Arts District creek

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 [...]

Historic structure in River Arts District to become community resource

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 [...]

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Look ahead: City of Asheville projects and initiatives for the new year

  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 [...]

New boat ramp opens in Asheville’s River Arts District

    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 [...]

Norfolk Southern to close Riverside crossing for 1-day project

    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 [...]

Preconstruction staging for River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project to begin

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 [...]

Public weighs in on River District’s transportation future

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 [...]

RAD Form-Based Code heading to go before City Council in July

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 [...]

14 Riverside Drive

RADTIP phased to get projects in the road

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 [...]

RADTIP pre-construction updates: Utility relocation, free wood and more

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 [...]

RADTIP southern section greenway construction work to begin in new year

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 [...]

River Arts District form-based code discussion happens Thursday

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 [...]

Riverfront Office hosts drop-in Q&A at Asheville City Hall

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 [...]

Riverfront Office hosts drop-in Q&A at City Hall

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 [...]

Riverfront office takes open office hours to Southside community

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 [...]

Riverfront redevelopment update: Riverside Drive reopens, greenway section to open this year too

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, [...]

Riverfront redevelopment, transportation improvement dovetail to enhance RAD

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 [...]

Update: Asheville’s River Arts District (RAD) Form-Based Code

  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 [...]

Video: Riverfront redevelopment update

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).

Photo of construction cranes

We’re asking you: What tools would help Asheville residents stay informed about development

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 [...]

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