A series of historic markers celebrating the heritage of four historically black neighborhoods is in the works as part of a partnership between the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. During their Oct. 22 meeting, Asheville City Council adopted an interlocal agreement to work with the County on this project.
The project is being led at the neighborhood level in the Burton Street, East End, Southside and Shiloh communities. The neighborhood organizations each created the content and designs of the signs. They are being paid for by a Mobilization Action for Resilient Communities fund administered by the County via an Isaac Coleman grant. The County administered the grant, organized public engagement and worked with neighborhood residents on the location and content of the signs. The City provided technical assistance and will provide the long term maintenance of the signs in each neighborhood.
Eleven markers will be placed in a variety of locations, such as at community centers, churches, parks as well as on neighborhood streets (see map below).
The signs themselves will cost $16,800 and the technical assistance provided by the City is $10,000.
The project aligns with Council’s Strategic Goal of an equitable and diverse community.
