On July 18, 2019 the City of Asheville held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the first phase of improvements to the park surrounding the Tempie Avery Montford Center Complex, a community center and 17-acre park located at 34 Pearson Drive in the historic Montford neighborhood.  An honored guest was a descendent of Tempie Avery whom the center is named for and new signage commemorating the name change was unveiled.

 

Key features of the project included:

  • New playground
  • Expanded parking
  • New outdoor classroom
  • Room to expand existing orchard
  • New outdoor table tennis
  • New walkways connecting park features

 


Background

 

In 2013, the City completed improvements to the Montford Recreation Center in the gymnasium by adding a new floor, new lights and a fresh coat of paint throughout the gym interior.

In 2014, the City developed the Montford Center Complex Master Plan supported by a series of public input opportunities. The plan recommends improvements of the park surrounding the Montford Recreation Center.

In 2016, the project was included in the City’s $17 million bond referendum to support park and recreation facilities improvement projects. The bond referendum was approved by Asheville voters resulting in an allocation of $1.7 million for the Montford Center Complex Improvements Phase I.

In 2017, the Montford Center was renamed to honor Tempie Avery, a prominent African-American nurse and midwife who lived on the site in the early 1900s.

 


Timeline

 

2013

  • Issued Request for Qualifications and selected planning & design consultant for Montford Center Complex Master Plan.
  • Awarded design contract to Site Design Studios located in Asheville
  • Completed Montford Center gym improvements with a new floor, lights, paint, and scoreboard.

2015

  • Completed Montford Center Complex Master Plan

2016

  • November: Bond referendum passes including funding to support Montford Center Complex Improvements Phase 1 construction

2017

  • June: Amended planning & design consultant contract for design services and administration of Montford Center Complex Improvements Phase 1
  • June-December: Develop design and construction documents

2018

  • Spring: Complete design and construction documents.  Issue request for construction bids and award construction contract.
  • Summer: Groundbreaking ceremony and construction begins.

2019

  • Summer: Grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony.

 


Supporting Documents

 

Montford Center Complex Master Plan

Montford Center Complex Improvements Phase I Schematic Design

 


Contact Information

Asheville Parks & Recreation
828-259-5800


 

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  The Capital Projects Department is comprised of a Construction Division and Facility Management Division. The Construction Division consists of four (4) programs including; Building Construction Program, Innovation District Program, Parks and Recreation Program, and Transportation Program.  The Facility Management Division consists of two (2) programs including; City Hall Operations Division and Facility Maintenance Division. The department’s main [...]

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