City Manager's OfficeFinanceIn Progress
Project Overview In 2016 voters approved a bond referendum to finance capital improvement projects across the city. A total of $74 million was issued for projects categorized by three focus areas: $17 million for parks $25 million for housing $32 million for transportation These projects help address the city’s unfunded capital needs and supplement funding for projects that are already [...]
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Project Overview In July 2024, the Asheville City Council voted to put four general obligation bond referendums totaling $80 million before Asheville voters in the November 5th general election. If approved, the bonds will be used to fund projects in the following categories: Parks & Recreation Improvements – $20 million Transportation – [...]
Community and Economic DevelopmentDowntownIn ProgressQuality Affordable Housing
On February 5, 2020, City staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a mixed-use development on 5.3 acres of City-owned land at 319 Biltmore.
Construction is underway for a new affordable and mixed income community at 360 Hilliard Avenue, next to the Aston Tennis Center.
Equity and InclusionCitywideIn ProgressEquitable and Diverse Community
The City is committed to environmental, economic, and social justice. With our Equity and Inclusion Office's help, the City of Asheville will apply an equity lens to the work we do in every department.
Community and Economic DevelopmentCitywideIn ProgressQuality Affordable Housing
The project will update the 2008 Affordable Housing Plan that was created by the Mayor’s Taskforce on Affordable Housing, which was last updated in 2015.
Planning and Urban DesignCitywideIn ProgressEquitable and Diverse Community
The City’s Living Asheville Comprehensive Plan calls for identifying strategies to honor the history and contributions of the African American community in Asheville. As a baseline for more fully documenting the rich history of the African American communities that have thrived here for generations, the Planning & Urban Design Department is currently facilitating an architectural survey of the city’s historically African American neighborhoods.
City Manager's OfficeCitywideIn ProgressEquitable and Diverse Community
The City of Asheville will be receiving $26.2 million in federal grant funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Government Fiscal Recovery Funds.
Planning and Urban DesignDowntownAccepting InputIn ProgressConnected and Engaged CommunityEquitable and Diverse Community
Art in the Heart is a way to unite, heal, and strengthen the community. Installations, artwork, and performances over the next 6 months will help spark important conversations on how to make this public space a place that resonates with Asheville’s diverse community and history.
Community and Economic DevelopmentCitywideIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care (CoC) is the collaborative planning body responsible for developing and overseeing a comprehensive and well-coordinated system of effective services designed to prevent and quickly resolve occurrences of homelessness in Asheville and Buncombe County. The CoC has four components: A membership body of individuals and organizations with an interest in understanding homelessness [...]
Planning and Urban DesignCitywideIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
The purpose of the study is to identify regulatory or policy barriers that negatively impact the production of housing supply and to develop recommendations to help Asheville prioritize next steps to better align regulations with city goals.
TransportationDowntownIn ProgressTransportation and AccessibilityWell-planned and Livable Community
Asheville Unpaved is a community-supported initiative, led by Asheville on Bikes, Pisgah Area SORBA, and Connect Buncombe, dedicated to building a network of multi-use natural surface trails that will help Asheville-area residents and visitors connect with one another, their natural environment, and their city.
City ClerkCitywideIn ProgressConnected and Engaged Community
The City of Asheville staff has created a proposal to realign the advisory boards to address challenges within the current system.
Planning and Urban DesignDowntownIn ProgressEquitable and Diverse Community
The Boosting the Block project advances key elements in the Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan, including the planning, design and implementation of a gateway and cultural corridor along South Market Street. It incorporates place-based investments and programming that enhances the area’s physical and cultural environment.
Planning and Urban DesignWestIn ProgressEquitable and Diverse Community
In a continuing effort to document and honor the history and contributions of African American communities that have lived and thrived in Asheville for generations, the Department of Planning and Urban design is assisting the Burton Street Neighborhood Association Leadership in the identification, documentation and dissemination of information pertaining to the history and character defining architectural and streetscape elements of the Burton Street neighborhood.
Capital ProjectsParks and RecreationBurton StreetWestIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
Asheville Parks & Recreation is collecting input from the Burton Street neighborhood on how to prioritize the spending of $500,000 on new, expanded, and/or updated recreation features in the park that surrounds Burton Street Community Center. This neighborhood investment money has specifically been earmarked for recreation infrastructure improvements in the park.
Stormwater Services and UtilityDowntownIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
Construction on the Carter - Ann - Patton Stormwater Improvements Project is underway. This is a Public Works Stormwater Capital Project with cooperation from several other agencies that are providing financial and other support for the project.
Capital ProjectsTransportationDowntownIn ProgressTransportation and Accessibility
Overview This project will implement improvements on sections of College Street and Patton Avenue in the core of Downtown Asheville with the goal of improving safety, accessibility, and equity for all users of the streets and users of the wider City transportation network. The project area specifically includes College Street between Spruce Street and Pritchard [...]
Capital ProjectsPlanning and Urban DesignTransportationDowntownIn Progress
Overview The goal of this project is to transform Coxe Avenue to improve the safety and overall experience for pedestrians, bicyclists and other users of the street. The design will include improvements to sidewalks, stormwater and water infrastructure, lighting and streetscape elements and a reconfiguration of parts of the street. Happening Now This project is currently in the [...]
Community and Economic DevelopmentWestIn ProgressQuality Affordable Housing
The City of Asheville is working with their partner, the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville on a master plan for about 60 acres of land in Deaverview following the Purpose Built Communities model.
City Manager's OfficeClean, Safe and Healthy Environment
Project Overview The City of Asheville will be implementing a Business Improvement District (BID) in Downtown Asheville beginning July 1, 2024 following Council Action on June 11, 2024. A BID administers services within a defined district above and beyond those provided by the City. The services are funded through a special tax assessment added to property [...]
Planning and Urban DesignDowntownWestIn ProgressTransportation and Accessibility
The purpose of the Patton Avenue Corridor Study is to develop transportation, land use, and urban design recommendations for Patton Avenue from the Jeff Bowen Bridge to the easternmost terminus at Pack Square.
Planning and Urban DesignDowntownCompleteWell-planned and Livable Community
The Downtown Master Plan Updates will build on the Downtown Master Plan and Appendices (completed in 2009), to take a deeper dive into specific topics of focus related to the public realm. The Master Plan Updates will help address concerns about management of public spaces, enhancement of community character and expanded options for place-making.
Capital ProjectsCitywideDowntownCompleteClean, Safe and Healthy EnvironmentWell-planned and Livable Community
The City is pursuing the purchase and installation of a prefabricated public restroom facility to be located in the public space on the College Street side of the Rankin Avenue parking garage.
City Manager's OfficePoliceDowntownIn Progress
The City of Asheville is taking targeted steps to address the rise of crime especially in downtown Asheville.
Community and Economic DevelopmentDowntownIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
Duke needs to replace or rebuild the substation at the rear of the Harrah’s Cherokee Center of Asheville and has approached the City to explore options to rebuild the substation on City property at 57 Rankin.
Stormwater Services and UtilityNorthIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
The area at the intersection of Edwin Place and Celia Place experiences significant flooding during high intensity storm events due to aged and undersized infrastructure. Additional areas in the contributing watershed along Sunset Parkway and Canterbury Road also experience flooding. To alleviate flooding, the City has produced construction plans for infrastructure replacement across Edwin Place, tying into the existing stream beyond Murdock Avenue.
SustainabilityCitywideIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy Environment
Electrify Asheville-Buncombe County is a pilot program supporting home energy efficiency and electrification upgrades as one way to move toward the City supported goal of powering Buncombe county with 100% renewable energy by 2042.
Elevate AVL engagement agents and advisory committee members are working with community members to co-create resources and strategies to build neighborhood resilience. The project seeks to learn from Asheville communities to inform neighborhood-led and city-supported initiatives to develop shared resources and ideas to thrive in a changing climate.
The Food Waste Reduction Initiative aims to provide useful information and tips to residents seeking ways to reduce their household food waste, pilot opportunities for community compost drop sites, elevate the message of food waste reduction, and model food waste reduction initiatives in city facilities.
TransportationCitywideIn ProgressTransportation and Accessibility
The City of Asheville is in the midst of a large project to update the City’s Greenway Plan, ADA Transition Plan, and Pedestrian Plan.
Capital ProjectsTransportationDowntownSouthIn ProgressTransportation and Accessibility
The Greenway Connectors are on-road improvements in two project areas for bike and pedestrian safety and way-finding. The objective of this project is to connect greenways in the project area and provide safe passage for pedestrians and bicyclists from one greenway trailhead to another.
Community and Economic DevelopmentPlanning and Urban DesignDowntownThriving Local Economy
A Conceptual Master Plan for the long-term use of City-owned properties at Haywood Street and Page Avenue was approved by City Council in October 2020.
Planning and Urban DesignDowntownCompleteThriving Local Economy
Project construction began in early 2020 and continued in phases, with substantial completion in November 2020 and final completion in early 2021.
Asheville City Council had adopted a Conceptual Master Plan for City-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue downtown. Adoption of the Plan was a major step forward toward the community vision previously identified for these properties.
Community and Economic DevelopmentCitywideWell-planned and Livable Community
The City of Asheville has prepared the Allocation Plan for the HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Program. The HOME-ARP Allocation Plan sets out how the City of Asheville and the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium propose to use an estimated $4,699,862 in federal HOME-ARP Program funds.
Planning and Urban DesignCitywideCompleteThriving Local Economy
At their meeting on February 23, 2021, the Asheville City Council adopted new hotel development regulations that take effect immediately. The Hotel Moratorium also expired on February 23, 2021.
Capital ProjectsWestIn ProgressTransportation and Accessibility
Overview This project includes the construction of approximately 1 mile of new 6-foot-wide sidewalk, including accessible ramps, crosswalks and drainage, along Johnston Boulevard from Patton Avenue to Johnston Elementary School. At the south end, the proposed sidewalk follows along the east side of Johnston Boulevard until reaching Rash Road, where a crosswalk allows the sidewalk to continue [...]
WaterCitywideIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy Environment
The City of Asheville’s Water Resources Department has been proactively preparing for changes to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule since early 2019. Now that the changes have been finalized, the City of Asheville has a strategy in place to meet three key mandates of the revised rule: the creation of a Service Line Inventory, lead testing in elementary schools and daycares, and Lead and Copper Rule sampling.
Public WorksStreet ServicesTransportationDowntownIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy EnvironmentTransportation and AccessibilityWell-planned and Livable Community
After hearing community input and gathering speed data, traffic calming is proposed for Livingston Street. This project would add speed cushions about every 300ft between Depot Street and Victoria Road. The speed cushions proposed are the same size as speed humps but would include a space between each cushion for emergency vehicles, pictured below.
Capital ProjectsCommunity and Regional Entertainment FacilitiesDowntownIn Progress
Overview In partnership with the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, Buncombe County Government and the Asheville Tourists Baseball Club, the City of Asheville is spearheading a significant renovation project of McCormick Field. Bird’s eye view design rendering of McCormick Field capital improvements: View all renderings of the project. Happening Now Construction began in [...]
WaterDowntownIn Progress
Happening Now Starting in late summer 2024, Hyatt Pipeline, LLC will replace approximately 6,600 feet of 12-inch water line on Short McDowell Street and on McDowell Street from Meadow Road to Southside Avenue. As much work as possible will be done at night to minimize traffic disruption. (function (c, i, t, y, z, e, n, x) { [...]
Planning and Urban DesignTransportationNorthIn ProgressTransportation and Accessibility
Changes under consideration are proposed for the part of Merrimon Avenue between W.T. Weaver Boulevard and Midland Road (at Beaver Lake).
Capital ProjectsParks and RecreationDowntownIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy Environment
Beginning in summer 2021, the project will include turf replacement in the stadium, stormwater repairs and upgrades and ADA access to existing stadium seating.
Capital ProjectsFirePoliceDowntownIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
Happening Now The Municipal Building Capital Repairs & Restoration project is a structural repair project to demolish and replace the elevated slab floor of the Fire Station 1 apparatus bay. In preparation for repair and replacement of the Fire Station 1 apparatus bay slab, Asheville Fire Department (AFD) administrative staff will relocate to nearby leased office space. [...]
Capital ProjectsTransportationDowntownSouthIn ProgressTransportation and AccessibilityWell-planned and Livable Community
This greenway will feature a series of interpretive signs about the devastating impact of the razing of the Southside Community, a historically African-American community, due to urban renewal in the late 60s and early 70s.
Community and Economic DevelopmentCitywideCompleteQuality Affordable Housing
Affordable housing has become a serious issue in Asheville, but the City is working to increase the number of affordable homes. The Neighborhood Lots for Affordable Housing project is smaller in scope but still an important part of the larger goal to develop more affordable housing options in the City.
WaterCitywideIn ProgressFinancially Resilient City
This project area includes Brevard Road, Brookwood Road (North Asheville), Greely Street and Cove Lane, Joe Jenkins Road, Hazel Mill Road, Muirfield Subdivision, South Tunnel Road, and Swannanoa River Road.
This project area includes Old Shoals Extension, Monte Vista Place, Downing Street, Frederick Street, Britt Drive, Hilltopia and Plateau Road, Pine Tree Drive, Livingston Street and Depot Street.
Capital ProjectsEastIn ProgressTransportation and Accessibility
Overview This City will construct approximately 0.8 miles of new six-foot-wide sidewalk, including accessible ramps, crosswalks and drainage, along New Haw Creek Road from Beverly Road to Bell Road. Starting at Beverly Road, the sidewalk follows along the west side of New Haw Creek Road. Just north of Dogwood Grove the alignment shifts to the east [...]
Planning and Urban DesignCitywideIn ProgressThriving Local Economy
A task force has been created to review the city’s open space zoning regulations and to consider amendments to update the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). These regulations relate to the open spaces that are required primarily for new development projects, not to be confused with larger public open spaces of city parks and greenways.
Community and Economic DevelopmentCitywideIn ProgressThriving Local Economy
With consideration for physical distancing and other safety measures implemented by public health officials, the City has launched new ways to use outdoor spaces - like streets, sidewalks, parking areas and parks - differently, to support economic recovery and other community and business needs.
Planning and Urban DesignDowntownIn ProgressEquitable and Diverse CommunityWell-planned and Livable Community
The City of Asheville and Buncombe County are partnering to document the community’s vision for the future of Pack Square Plaza, including the site where the Vance Monument was previously located. This project is a continuation of work launched by the signing of a joint resolution of the County Commission and City Council to create the Vance Monument Task Force in the summer of 2020. The findings of that initiative led to the signing of a City Council resolution in March 2021 to remove the monument, and to the dedication of funds to a planning process for the future of the site.
Capital ProjectsTransportationDowntownIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy EnvironmentTransportation and Accessibility
Happening Now Accessibility Improvements phase begins September 2024 With the immediate priority repairs complete, the next phase focuses on accessibility improvements in each of the City-owned downtown parking garages. See City News post 9-16-2024. Estimated completion date for Accessibility phase: Early 2025 (function (c, i, t, y, z, e, n, x) { x = c.createElement(y), n = c.getElementsByTagName(y)[0]; x.async [...]
Public WorksDowntownIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy EnvironmentTransportation and AccessibilityWell-planned and Livable Community
Project Overview The City of Asheville Public Works Streets Division is constructing sidewalk replacements along a section of Patton Avenue between Asheland Avenue and Coxe Avenue. This project will make important improvements to pedestrian safety and accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. The project started in Spring 2024 and is expected to finish [...]
WaterWestIn Progress
This water system distribution project is located along Patton Avenue (US-19) between Florida Avenue and Haywood Road. The project includes 7,000 feet of 24-inch waterline along with the installation of a 36-inch incasement pipe for a trenchless crossing of Patton Ave at New Leicester Highway, and other miscellaneous water system components including service connections and other appurtenances.
The housing focus of the Community & Economic Development Department is to partner with area non-profits, agencies, and for-profit developers to produce, preserve, and protect affordable and mixed-income communities in Asheville.
TransportationNorthIn ProgressTransportation and Accessibility
The City of Asheville received grant funding from the French Broad River Metropolitan Organization (FBRMPO) to conduct a $50,000 feasibility study for the remaining sections of the Reed Creek Greenway.
Parks and RecreationWestIn Progress
Beginning fall 2023, APR crews and community volunteers plan to increase hiking, walking, and biking options in Richmond Hill Park to include a 1.5-mile spur trail branching off of the existing Purple Trail.
Capital ProjectsParks and RecreationWestIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy EnvironmentWell-planned and Livable Community
In order to expand recreation opportunities in West Asheville, improvements at Roger Farmer Park include court resurfacing and field conversion.
Capital ProjectsTransitSouthIn Progress
Overview The purpose of this project is to replace a community-designed bus shelter in the Shiloh neighborhood near the intersection of Shiloh Road and Kent Street. Happening Now This project is currently in the design phase. Staff is working to engineer and estimate the cost of a bus shelter that is as close to the original design as [...]
Stormwater Services and UtilitySouthIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
Over the years, the bottom of the culverts started rusting out in many spots, which has caused a depression in the ground at the walking track, near the Hampton Street side. Temporary repairs have been made in the past, but now it is time for a longer-term solution.
WaterSouthIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy Environment
The City of Asheville Water Resources has received a $2 Million grant to help determine the water service line material on both sides of a water meter – the utility- and customer-owned sections. The grant will allow the City to replace any water service lines that are found to be lead or galvanized iron pipe on both the utility- and customer-owned sections.
Public WorksStormwater Services and UtilityCitywideAccepting InputIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy Environment
Asheville’s Stormwater program has been funded by a stormwater fee for more than 17 years in order to meet the requirements of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Permit and Stormwater Management Plan. In order to better serve our community, the City is proactively assessing our program and identifying areas where improvement is necessitated.
Capital ProjectsTransportationDowntownEastIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy EnvironmentTransportation and AccessibilityWell-planned and Livable Community
The City of Asheville’s Transportation Bond project will be engineering and constructing a section of the Swannanoa River Greenway.
Capital ProjectsParks and RecreationSouthIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
The City of Asheville purchased a 10.88 acre tract of land owned by Carolina Day School adjacent to their athletic facilities at 2351 Sweeten Creek Road for future natural park development.
Planning and Urban DesignEastCompleteThriving Local Economy
The purpose of the project was to develop a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary master plan intended to celebrate the literary accomplishments of Thomas Wolfe, better integrate the site into the Asheville park system and guide the restoration or rehabilitation of the cabin.
Capital ProjectsTransportationDowntownIn Progress
This project aims to enhance safety and accessibility for residents and visitors by replacing four traffic signals in well-traveled areas of downtown. The project’s comprehensive scope involves traffic signal analysis, infrastructure design and replacement, ADA/PROWAG compliance measures, and implementation of signalized pedestrian features. Happening Now Staff is working with engineers on the design of this project. Next Milestone: [...]
Early in 2022, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, and Dogwood Health Trust formed a collaborative to respond to the increased need, and Dogwood Health Trust offered to fund a consultancy to bring national expertise to the local community to better understand and address the crisis of unsheltered homelessness. The City is serving as the contracting point of contact for this collaborative, and published a Request for Proposals in February 2022 on behalf of the group.
The City Council adopted the Urban Place Form Code District on September 28, 2021. The new zoning district aims to implement the transit-supportive growth strategy that is identified on the Preferred Growth Scenario Map of Living Asheville: A Comprehensive Plan for Our Future.
Project Overview The City of Asheville Planning and Urban Design department is developing an Urban Forest Master Plan that will guide policies and recommendations for sustainable growth and preservation of Asheville’s urban canopy. The project started in September 2024 and is scheduled to conclude in late fall of 2025. For project updates, timeline and [...]
Public WorksStreet Services
Heavy rains that occurred in April of 2021 caused a landslide on the east side of Vance Gap Road near the Trailridge Road intersection. City of Asheville Streets Division operations crews conducted repairs to stabilize the slide and the City issued a Request for Qualifications for a design firm to design permanent repairs for the slide and to also perform a general stability analysis for the rest of the road.
Equity and InclusionDowntownIn ProgressEquitable and Diverse Community
In response to community demands, the City Manager’s 30-60-90 day plan called for a resolution to remove Confederate monuments and to work with the community on renaming of streets.
Capital ProjectsWestCompleteTransportation and Accessibility
As part of the bond projects initiative, the City of Asheville is preparing to replace sidewalks on Vermont Avenue in West Asheville. This project focuses on pedestrian enhancements, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements and crosswalk improvements.
Parks and RecreationSouthSouthside UnitedIn ProgressClean, Safe and Healthy EnvironmentWell-planned and Livable Community
Improvements are underway in Walton Street Park including parking lot repairs, seasonal tree pruning and the replacement of park benches and grills.
Planning and Urban DesignDowntownIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
In 2018, the City of Asheville began researching and documenting historic resources specifically related to African American heritage in Asheville. During the first phase of architectural survey, it was determined that the Walton Street Pool is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The City has received an application from the Preservation Society of Asheville & Buncombe County to designate the pool as a Local Historic Landmark, which is currently under review by the Historic Resources Commission.
WaterCitywideIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
The City of Asheville is in the process of replacing all water meters with an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system.
Capital ProjectsParks and RecreationFive PointsGrove Park/SunsetJackson ParkNorthNorwood ParkSpears-HenriettaIn ProgressWell-planned and Livable Community
The project will include rebuilding the tennis courts, resurfacing the basketball court, replacing the park bridge, improving the parking lots, landscaping, and installing new park lighting.
Capital ProjectsCommunity and Regional Entertainment FacilitiesEastIn Progress
Happening Now This project is currently under construction. The Gateway to the Southern Appalachians exhibit advances key elements of the WNC Nature Center’s Vision for the Future including the planning, design, and implementation of new butterfly gardens and play areas, enlarged gift shop, and “gateway” entry experience. The project area covers the section of [...]