The City of Asheville announces the release of the Downtown Patton Avenue Corridor Feasibility Study final report, which outlines a comprehensive vision to transform Patton Avenue into a multimodal, pedestrian-friendly gateway to downtown Asheville. The report provides a strategic roadmap for enhancing safety, economic vitality, and connectivity at this western gateway to the heart of the city.
The study recommends phased and scalable improvements that can be implemented over time, ensuring cohesive urban development with existing and future infrastructure projects. The plan aligns with the City of Asheville’s long-term urban development goals and ongoing projects, as well as the NCDOT I-26 Connector project. Recommendations resulting from the study have already helped inform refinements to NCDOT’s current design.
“This plan reflects our dedication to enhancing transportation and safety, fostering economic prosperity, and embracing sustainable urban development for the benefit of all who live, work, and visit our city,” said Vaidila Satvika, Planner with the City of Asheville. “The recommendations propose connecting an urban corridor with an expanded downtown land development program that aligns with City Council’s goals of a more livable and connected Asheville.”
Key recommendations from the study include:
- Multimodal improvements: Implementing a road diet, dedicated bike lanes, enhanced pedestrian crossings and roundabouts to significantly enhance safety and accessibility for all users.
- Public transit enhancements: Expanding bus stop infrastructure and improving transit connections to encourage alternative transportation use and increase ridership.
- Land use and zoning adjustments: Supporting mixed-use development, form-based zoning, and pedestrian-oriented design to foster sustainable growth and create a more vibrant, walkable corridor.
- Safety and traffic calming measures: Integrating traffic calming features, improving lighting, and reconfiguring intersections to reduce crash frequency and severity.
- Green infrastructure and streetscape enhancements: Increasing tree canopy, adding green spaces, and incorporating stormwater management solutions to improve environmental performance and user comfort.
- Stakeholder collaboration: Emphasizing continued collaboration with public officials, local businesses and community members to ensure successful implementation and alignment with ongoing and future projects.
By providing these recommendations, the plan aims to enhance safety by suggesting designs that are shown to reduce vehicle-related crashes and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. It also proposes connectivity improvements that could strengthen links between downtown, the River Arts District, and surrounding neighborhoods. Furthermore, by encouraging mixed-use development and better accessibility, the plan identifies opportunities for economic growth and supports local businesses.
How community feedback was used to inform recommendations:
Community engagement was fundamental to the Downtown Patton Avenue Corridor Feasibility Study. This study involved a Project Working Group (PWG), composed of staff from the City of Asheville and North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), members of the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (FBRMPO), neighborhood representatives, local businesses, and non-profits. The PWG met five times from November 2023 to September 2024, guiding the study by deliberating data, participating in engagement activities, revising design concepts, and discussing implementation strategies.
The project team engaged diverse stakeholders via focus groups, including public service truck operators, community service organizations, business associations, utility providers, local businesses, property owners and neighborhood associations. In addition, two public meetings were held in November 2023 and May 2024 to gather feedback on design elements and other considerations. Key insights, such as integration of two roundabouts to improve downtown traffic flow, the proposal to add a new street connection (Hilliard Ave Extension to Patton Ave) to improve connectivity, and the straightening of Patton Avenue between the Jeff Bowen Bridge and Clingman Avenue directly informed the study’s comprehensive vision.
The full report is available for public review on the City of Asheville’s website.