*UPDATE* The Friday, July 28 meeting locations have been changed due to technical issues. The new locations have been updated under the respective event information for July 28 below.
The public is invited to review and provide feedback on the draft Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan when it’s released by the City and County on July 21, 2023.
You can find the plan on the City’s engagement hub or on the Pack Square Plaza Vision Project Page. Comments are accepted 24/7 online at the engagement hub and feedback will be welcomed at upcoming engagement events.
The finalized plan will go to Asheville City Council on Tuesday, September 12, 2023
The recommendations included in the plan are based on ten guiding principles/themes developed through more than nine months of community engagement. In addition to outlining a long-term, aspirational vision for a more welcoming and inclusive heart of downtown, the plan will also outline improvements that can be made in the short term and with limited resources.
The public is invited to attend the following public sessions on July 28 and 29 to learn about the Plan and provide feedback. The dates and topics for the meetings are as follows:
Pack Square Vision Plan Review and Special Events Schedule:
Friday, July 28, 2023
Creating a Richer History about the Heart of Our Downtown with Katherine Calhoun Cutshall, Buncombe County Special Collections Manager
This session starts with a presentation highlighting new findings and under-told narratives in the history of the heart of our downtown including Pack Square Plaza. This will be followed by a facilitated discussion about the value of keeping our understanding of history fresh.
Date: Friday, July 28, 2023
Time: 10:00- 11:00 am
Location: City Hall 1st. Floor Conference Room (70 Court Plaza)
Reshaping Pack Square Plaza and Connecting The Block Through Design Improvements This interactive drop-in session includes a self-guided tour of ten design-based recommendations to help Pack Square Plaza and adjacent neighborhood, The Block, become more welcoming and inclusive for all people. Nick Lowe, Landscape Architect from McAdams is joined by City and County staff to discuss the nuts and bolts of the recommendations. The team welcomes participant input that will help make the project more successful.
Date: Friday, July 28, 2023
Time: 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Location: Municipal Building 4th. Floor Training Rom (100 Court Plaza)
Saturday, July 29, 2023
A Conversation about Pack Square Plaza and the Value of Public Space with Mitchell Silver, FAICP, Hon. ASLA
Mitchell Silver will provide an overview of the draft Pack Square Vision Plan while providing a case for why continued investments in Asheville’s public spaces should be a priority for all.
Participants will have an opportunity to engage with the presenter during an open question session and provide City and County staff feedback about specific elements of the plan.
Snacks and Beverages will be served.
Date: Saturday, July 29, 2023
Time: 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Location: Press Room of Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville, 87 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville.
Ongoing Engagement Activities
In addition to the public meetings scheduled, the Pack Square Visioning project continues to offer online opportunities for the public to provide input on the future of Pack Square. Check out the Pack Square Engagement Hub on the City of Asheville’s website, especially after the plan is released on July 21, 2023.
For more information about the review process, including the current date for a presentation to City Council, visit www.ashevillenc.gov/packsquare. Find a copy of this press release on Asheville City Source.