Asheville community garden blooms and there’s room for more participation
Amanda Levesque, left, and Clare Hanrahan check on plants at the Elder & Sage Community Garden, 33-35 Page Ave., downtown. Planking and raised beds make the garden accessible to those in wheelchairs. These two friendly words just seem to go together: community garden. After all, you get two things out of it — community with like-minded people or neighbors [...]
Sculpture chosen for Lexington Avenue public art installation
The 15-foot-high new public artwork by Beatrice Coron will be installed at 65 N. Lexington Ave. A thriving downtown Asheville street will become even more vibrant this year with the installation of a new piece of public art on Lexington Avenue. The City of Asheville is pleased to announce that, after a competitive process, a metal sculpture entitled Lexington Life [...]
Asheville parking garage fee structure to change July 1
Parking fees at City of Asheville garages will change, starting July 1. The good news is that the first hour free will still apply to motorists who truly use less than 1 hour at a City parking garage. If you stay longer, however, you will be charged for the first hour under the new structure. The hourly rate [...]
Asheville earns ‘SolSmart Gold’ designation for advancing solar energy growth
Solar power is on the rise in the U.S. — and in Asheville. Here are steps the City is taking to encourage solar energy. While solar makes up about 2 percent of the energy generated nationwide, the City of Asheville is working to remove barriers to this sustainable energy source. In the past year, the City’s Office of Sustainability trained [...]
City of Asheville seeks applicants for 2 new boards: Human Relations Commission and I-26 Project Committee
Do you want to have a voice in the City’s growth and future? Through a variety of boards and commissions established by Asheville City Council, citizens can provide input on the policies that shape their government and their City. Among board openings this month are those for two newly formed groups. NEW: Human Relations Commission of Asheville (HRCA) HRCA [...]
Red pandas coming to WNC Nature Center
Though they roam the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, their close ancestors used to call the Southern Appalachians home. And now they’re returning! Red pandas will come to the WNC Nature Center this fall. At their April 24 meeting, Asheville City Council approved a $184,820 appropriation for the construction of the Red Panda [...]
Asheville’s larger development fees to rise, tennis center passes lowered
City Council passes fee adjustments for the 2018-2019 fiscal year With spring comes birds singing, longer days and — the City of Asheville budget season. Prior to adopting the 2018-2019 budget in June for the fiscal year, each April Council passes its fee adjustments. On April 10, City Council adopted its Fees & Charges for FY 2018-2019. How [...]
Q&A: How Asheville’s Housing Code Coordinator can assist renters who encounter substandard conditions
Renting a home or apartment? The City of Asheville can be a resource if you encounter substandard housing. The City’s Housing Code Coordinator investigates complaints about violations of the Minimum Housing Code. Recognizing that most landlords or property managers maintain rental units properly, the Housing Code Coordinator can help a renter who encounters a building problem get resolution. [...]
Living Asheville comprehensive plan ‘road show’ launching to help you get in the know
The topics listed above are the focus areas of Living Asheville, the City’s comprehensive plan update. Come to any of a dozen presentations this month to learn about the plan prior to its May adoption by City Council Planning for the future takes a lot of thought, intention and listening to our residents. For two years, the City [...]
What do you want to know, Asheville? Just ask newly upgraded SimpliCity 2.0 search tool
From trash collection days to crime, from properties to neighborhoods, Asheville residents have been able to look up local data by address on SimpliCity since it launched in 2015. Now, with SimpliCity 2.0, residents can access even more information, including integrated topic dashboards like the City budget and capital and bond projects, with many more to [...]
Multiple Asheville paving projects get under way this spring
Bond and Capital projects combine for increased resurfacing of City streets The month of March brings highly anticipated warmer weather and the first day of spring. For Asheville Public Works, this spring also ushers in paving season as never before. Thanks to the bond referendum passed by Asheville voters in November 2016, the City’s investment in many [...]