Vance Monument Task Force Last updated or reviewed on March 21, 2023 Happening Now March 24, 2021 – The Vance Monument site on Pack Square could be redeveloped following a community visioning process approved by Asheville City Council March 23. The Council approved removal of the monument as a first step. February 5, 2021 : The last meeting of the Vance Monument Task Force was February 4 at 4:30, see Public Input page for meeting details. Final Report and Recommendations available at this link. Stay connected to Advancing Racial Equity in Asheville. Background 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. On June 9 and June 16, 2020 the Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, respectively, passed a joint resolution to remove two confederate statues located at the Buncombe County Courthouse and Pack Square Park, and to establish a jointly appointed task force to recommend action regarding the removal or re-purposing of the Vance Monument. On June 26, 2020 the Board and Commission Committee voted on the formation of a joint task force with Buncombe County for the removal or repurposing of the Vance Monument. The Vance Monument Task Force will be composed of 12 people, six (6) appointments from both the City and County respectively. In addition, the task force will identify and recommend African Americans to honor the local history of Asheville-Buncombe County and develop an inclusive community engagement plan focusing on those most harmed or negatively impacted by the Vance Monument. City Council made 6 appointments at the formal City Council meeting on July 28 and the County Commissioner made 6 appointments at the formal County Commission meeting on August 4. The appointed task force began meeting August 20, 2020. The task force met at 4:30 p.m. every Thursday for twelve (12) weeks. UPDATE: Please visit the Vance Monument Public Input Page for Task Force information and updates: https://publicinput.com/VanceMonumentTaskForce Timeline June 26: Boards and Commission committee vote on proposal for joint city/ county monument task force June 29-July 10: advertise and accept city applications July 14, 2020: Deputy City Clerk send all eligible applications to City Council members for review July 28: City Council will vote to appoint six (6) members August 4: County Commission will vote to appoint six (6) members August, 2020: Joint Task Force meets November 4, 2020: Joint Task Force meeting with City Council and County Commissioners to present recommendation We want to hear from you! If you would like to provide feedback or a comment on the removal or re-purposing of the Vance Monument Public Input page, or sending an email directly to VanceMonumentTaskForce@PublicInput.com. Emails will be shared with the Task force when assembled. Supporting Documents Joint Resolution Boards and Commissions Committee Staff Report – June 26, 2020 Boards and Commissions Committee presentation – June 26, 2020 Final Report and Recommendations Contact Information Nia Davis, Human Relations Analyst, Office of Equity and Inclusion 828-251-4059
