Happening Now: Project Complete!
Project construction began in early 2020 and continued in phases, with substantial completion in November 2020 and final completion in early 2021.
A press release in late 2020 announced completion in time for the Holiday season.
A stakeholder group guided the development of promotional tools, including signage, to support businesses during construction. This effort was led by the Asheville Downtown Association.
More information about current City of Asheville capital projects is available here.
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Previous email updates
February 22, 2021 – sidewalk extension and minor repairs under way
November 25, 2020 – project updates: construction is complete with finishing touches remaining
November 13, 2020 – project updates: nearing completion
October 23, 2020 – project updates: paving head of schedule
October 14, 2020 – project updates: milling beginning next week, paving to follow
September 25, 2020 – project updates: Saturday work tomorrow & two weeks ahead
September 1, 2020 – project updates: upcoming work two weeks ahead
August 13, 2020 – project updates: upcoming work two weeks ahead
July 27, 2020 – project updates: upcoming work two weeks ahead
July 10, 2020 – project updates: upcoming work two weeks ahead
June 12, 2020 – project updates: sidewalk work to begin next week
May 20, 2020 – project updates: two weeks ahead
May 4, 2020 – project updates: two weeks ahead
April 29, 2020 – project updates: closure between O’Henry and Flint
April 23, 2020 – project updates: street closures this week extended
April 20, 2020 – project updates: street closures this week
April 17, 2020 – project updates: upcoming work and street closures next week
April 3, 2020 – project updates: two weeks ahead; Ready Team and One Buncombe Fund
March 20, 2020 – project updates: two weeks ahead
March 16, 2020 – project updates: tree removal, contact info & COVID-19
March 5, 2020 – project updates: SoCon Tournament, Signage & upcoming work
February 20, 2020 – project updates: rescheduled drop-in hours and upcoming work
February 13, 2020 – project updates: planned water outages & upcoming work
January 31, 2020 – project updates: water outages planned
January 23, 2020 – project updates: traffic changes planned for Walnut
January 17, 2020 – project updates: work on College and Walnut under way; promotional signage campaign in-progress
January 3, 2020 – project updates: utility work begins Jan 6 on College Street; Walnut to follow
December 17, 2019 – open office hours 12/19
November 19, 2019 – open office hours 11/21
August 22, 2019 – meeting Sept. 5 at 9 a.m.
March 8, 2019 – project updates
February 7, 2019 – project updates
Notice: Sign up for the City’s emergency notification system, AVL Alerts.
Project Background
This project included sidewalk rehabilitation, street resurfacing, stormwater improvements, sanitary sewer improvements, and the sourcing, siting and installation of various street amenities. A key component was the replacement of the blue stone in the sidewalk on Haywood Street. The streetscape portion of project (sidewalks replacement and amenities on Haywood Street) was funded by the Transportation Bond Referendum that passed in 2016, prioritized as a safety issue and a major need by the City and various boards, committees and associations over the past several years.
The general project limits are along Haywood Street from Vanderbilt to College Street. MSD contributed funds and design consultation for the sanitary sewer replacement along an extended area of Haywood Street as well as on portions of College Street, Walnut Street and Rankin Avenue.
Design and engineering began in the fall of 2018 and continued through summer of 2019. Public input was collected on design changes to the street and sidewalk.
The construction phasing schedule was presented at a community meeting on September 5, 2019. Notes and the presentation from the meeting are available as supporting documents below.
On November 12, 2019, City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with Tennoca Construction Company and move forward with the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) of Buncombe County for cost sharing.
Community Meetings & Engagement
Spring 2020 through completion – On-going by phone, email and in-person meetings; staff provided updates to the Downtown Commission and Downtown Association monthly and sent email updates bi-weekly.
March 4, 2020 – Construction open office hours
January 17, 2020 – Construction open office hours
December 19, 2019 – Construction open office hours
November 21, 2019 – Construction open office hours
November 5, 2019 – Downtown Commission Parking and Transportation Committee and Haywood Street businesses review a draft loading plan for Haywood Street once construction is complete. (The plan is being revised based on feedback.)
September 5, 2019 – Community meeting to share updates on construction phasing schedule and communications moving forward
August 19, 2019 – Update to the Tree Commission
February 19, 2019 – Follow up discussion and feedback with Downtown Commission Design Review Committee
January 16, 2019 – Discussion and feedback with the City’s Bike/Pedestrian Task Force
January 2, 2019 – Discussion and feedback with residents of Vanderbilt Apartments and Battery Park Apartments
December 12, 2018 – Public input open-house meetings for design changes to the street/sidewalk and other priorities.
December 4, 2018 – Discussion and feedback with hospitality/tourism representatives (convened by Explore Asheville CVB staff)
November 15, 2018 – Discussion and feedback with Downtown Asheville Residential Neighbors Issues Committee
November 14, 2018 – Discussion and feedback with Asheville Downtown Association Board
November 14, 2018 – Discussion and feedback with Downtown Commission Design Review Committee
November 9, 2018 – Overview and discussion with Downtown Commission
October 24, 2018 – Overview and discussion with Multi-modal Transportation Committee
September 13, 2018 – Pre kick-off meeting (with businesses and residents in the project area)
Notes and key take-away’s from focus group meetings are here.
Supporting Documents
- Press release: Haywood Streetscape project complete in time for the Holidays (November 23, 2020)
- City blog post: Haywood Streetscape tree removal begins March 16
- Press release: Streetscape construction to begin in early January (December 17, 2019)
- Press release: Haywood Streetscape Improvement Project moves forward with construction contract, anticipated to begin in January (November 18, 2019)
- Staff Report to City Council to authorize construction contract and MSD agreement (November 12, 2019)
- Presentation (including construction phasing schedule) from community update meeting (Sept 5, 2019)
- Notes from community update meeting (Sept 5, 2019)
- Design Plan (in progress) as of August 2019
- Design Plan (in progress) as of March 2019
- Presentation Boards for public input meetings (Dec 12, 2018)
- Powerpoint Presentation for Downtown Commission (Nov 9, 2018)
- Powerpoint Presentation for Multi-modal Transportation Commission (Oct 24, 2018)
- Council approval for Engineering and Design Services (Aug 28, 2018)
- Powerpoint Presentation for Pre Kick-off Meeting (Sept 13, 2018)
Contact Information
Dustin Clemens, Program Manager, Capital Projects, City of Asheville
Project role: construction manager
828-232-4580
Dana Frankel, Downtown Specialist, Strategic Development Office, City of Asheville
Project role: communications and coordination
828-251-4051 / 828-273-5248
Meghan Rogers, Executive, Executive Director, Asheville Downtown Association
Project role: promotional wayfinding and marketing support for businesses
828-251-9973
Steve Olkowski, Tennoca Construction, Project Superintendent
Project role: on-site coordination and communications
828-458-3981
