Asheville’s urban bears looking for an easy trash can meal may find the trash can just won’t open, under a pilot program of bear-resistant trash carts. Hopefully, this will make our neighborhoods safer for area residents — and the bears. An item approved by Asheville City Council Nov. 10 amended the City’s Fees & [...]
After more than a year of community engagement and study, the City of Asheville Department of Community and Economic Development is ready to release the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 5-Year Consolidated Plan. Still in final draft form, the Consolidated Plan is designed to help states and local jurisdictions assess their affordable housing [...]
While the City of Asheville has reopened its public-facing offices in a limited capacity, for safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the 5 p.m. Nov. 10 City Council meeting. Here’s what you need to know to watch/listen and/or to participate in the Council meeting. This [...]
At their Oct. 27 meeting, Asheville City Council adopted a new race and gender-conscious policy. Why have this policy Small businesses are the backbone of the Asheville economy. The vast majority of local employers are small private firms, and many are minority-, women-, and veteran-owned. Strengthening opportunities for small and diverse businesses strengthens [...]
Looking for a way to get involved in local government and play a part in shaping the future of Asheville? Serving on a City of Asheville board or commission is a great place to start. Through a variety of boards and commissions established by Asheville City Council, citizens can provide input on the policies that shape [...]
Renovations at the ART Transit Center will be enhanced with the installation of public art in the waiting room and ticket area. A team representing City staff, ART Operations staff, Better Buses Together and the Public Art and Cultural Commission have chosen Asheville-based artist Wyatt Grant to design murals for the [...]
The City of Asheville is in the early stages of a large project to update the City’s Greenway Plan (G), ADA Transition Plan* (A), and Pedestrian Plan (P) (*By ADA transition we are specifically looking at accessibility improvements within the rights-of-way of our street network). The planning process, known as the “Close the GAP,” will identify [...]
Asheville Parks & Recreation Department is pleased to announce a donation of $2,000 from the Asheville Homebuilders Association (AHBA) for the development of a new program called BuildOut. The program focuses on teaching youth basic building skills such as learning how to select appropriate materials and tools, best safety practices, and then completing a project [...]
Advancing racial equity and social justice consists of many efforts working in concert with each other to promote larger societal change. This is not a one-off effort, nor the sole work of one department. It’s a team effort that has to be blended into all City of Asheville departments, folded into our mission to provide [...]
After more than three years of community engagement around the future use of City-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue downtown, a master concept plan for the properties went before Asheville City Council Oct. 27. The plan by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects incorporates a mix of uses, including: A central plaza for community gatherings and [...]
The City of Asheville recently “flipped the switch” on its first solar energy production site at the newly renovated ART Transit Station, 49 Coxe Ave. After several weeks of being online, the City is pleased to share energy production data with the community. The real-time information shows power [...]
While the City of Asheville has reopened its public-facing offices in a limited capacity, for safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 meetings will remain virtual at this time. That includes the Oct. 27 City Council meeting. Prior to the 5 p.m. meeting, Council will continue its work session on proposed hotel development regulations. Here’s [...]