The City of Asheville is undertaking a South Slope Visioning process. And residents are invited to participate!
Led by the City of Asheville with participation by the community and South Slope business stakeholders, this planning process is designed to develop a long-term vision for the area. Once the plan is drafted, it will be presented to City Council for adoption. Staff will then work with the community to implement the community’s vision for the South Slope.
The South Slope Visioning process will kick off in November with a series of community meetings. The meetings will discuss the history of the neighborhood as well as design options that neighbors would like to see in the area. Here’s the schedule:
- South Slope Visioning Kick Off: 5:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at The Refinery, 207 Coxe Ave.
- Design Workshop: 9:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 9 at The Refinery, 207 Coxe Ave.
What is the South Slope?
The City of Asheville’s Downtown Master Plan defines the South Slope as an area roughly bounded by Hilliard, Biltmore, Southside and Asheland avenues. The study area is a bit larger to ensure good connections to major anchors, such as Aston Park, McCormick Field and Memorial Stadium and Mission Hospital. See a map of the study area here.
The South Slope Vision Plan calls for a smaller area plan to be completed and states, “Coxe [Avenue] should become the heart of a new residential neighborhood with a comfortable, walking scale, direct links to downtown, new housing and neighborhood retail.”
The objectives of the South Slope Vision Plan are to:
- Assess existing and needed infrastructure that will support a growing tax base;
- Assess and prioritize multimodal transportation and streetscape and intersection improvements (in coordination with the Asheville in Motion Plan);
- Promote quality development by identifying preferred land uses, strategies for encouraging innovative and sustainable forms of development, and evaluating City-owned property for its highest and best use;
- Contribute to a strong local economy by facilitating private investment, job growth, small business and entrepreneurship;
- Preserve and encourage a unique sense of place by celebrating the people and culture of the area, past and present; and
- Ensure the safety of all who work, live and visit the district.
Open studio hours
City staff want to hear from members of the Asheville community and South Slope stakeholders. If you are unable to attend a scheduled meetings, the City will have open studio hours at the South Slope Studio, 207 Coxe Ave., beginning Nov. 9. The studio will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Thursday and Friday November through January, except for City holidays. Staff will be on site to take your suggestions and hear your concerns.
Want more information?
Contact South Slope Project Manager Sasha Vrtunski at svrtunski@ashevillenc.gov or 828-259-5560. Or visit www.Ashevillenc.gov/southslope.
