In the future, Asheville’s downtown might be managed by a powerful independent board, with different types of development for each neighborhood “core,” better support for the arts, more green building, a shuttle system and police cameras on street corners. Those are some of the many initiatives presented in the draft of the long-awaited Downtown Master Plan. The city will hold a Jan. 15 forum on the plan.
The local unemployment rate took a dramatic leap in November, based on the latest statistics from the N.C. Employment Security Commission.
A report by former Asheville planning director Scott Shuford comparing the impact of I-26 connector alternatives says the plan drafted by the Asheville Design Center will have the most overall impact on several surrounding areas.
The combination of a tight budget and post-holiday cabin fever can get ugly. But before you Hulu.com yourself into a stupor, check out just how far you can stretch the change in your couch cushions with this round up of free (or almost free) entertainment.
A Progress Energy spokesperson reports that the coal-ash storage ponds at its Asheville plant are closely monitored and safe.
The Buncombe County Board of Health has chosen Alma “Gibbie” Harris as the county’s new health director.
Here’s your video sneak preview of the Wednesday, Jan. 7 edition of the Mountain Xpress.
Merrimon Square sculpture defaced; RiverSculpture sculpture stolen.
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Richard Lutovsky told Xpress today that despite concerns raised about the Alternative 3 proposal for the I-26 connector, he still feels it is “best for the community in general” and superior to the Asheville Design Center’s Alternative 4b.
Here’s a video preview of this week’s Edgy Mama column.
The Asheville Citizen-Times on Monday introduced a slimmed-down version of the daily newspaper, a move forced by the bad economy, according to Publisher Randy Hammer.
Seen on Patton Ave., Dec. 31, 2008 Seen on Haywood St., Jan. 5, 2009
December, 2008 Brothers, both with neon streaks in their hair. On a coffee break outside Adorn Salon.
December, 2008
In its regular meeting Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 6, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is set for a close vote on the controversial matter of which I-26 alternative to endorse.
The draft of Asheville’s Downtown Master Plan is now available in The Xpress Files.
There’s a slow quieting of whirring machinery. It’s about 2:45 a.m., and a sense of resignation hangs all around. The nightly process of printing a daily newspaper, a ritual practiced for close to 150 years in Asheville, has just come to an end.
Who are WNC’s 50 most influential people? Whose economic advice is worth listening to and who’s to blame for the recession? Is the Asheville Mural Project under I-240 tacky? What songs are stuck in your head? Who can help Xpress with a Facebook app? What’s the U.S. Air Force’s take on social networking? … and more.
“I’ve never seen levels this high,” said Dr. Shea Tuberty, Assistant Professor of Biology at the Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Lab at Appalachian State University.
Scenes from a free Lexington Avenue street concert, held Oct. 25, 2008.
