Crews have been busy for weeks, re-doing sidewalks and installing bump-out parking areas on Clingman Avenue near the River Arts District. Most recently, lanes have been closed as workers install a new traffic circle for the road, which links West Asheville with downtown. An Asheville resident recently called Xpress to call the new circle outrageous, and at City Council’s May 25 meeting, resident Fred English was critical of the traffic-calming measures. Mayor Terry Bellamy replied that the improvements were a state Department of Transportation project.
photo by Margaret Williams
Thanks for reading through to the end…
We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.
We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.
Well, for all the griping about the traffic circle (they’re not bad if you follow basic right-of-way rules and common sense, folks), this area could definitely use something. I used to work in that area, right where the photo was taken actually, and trying to get off Roberts St. onto Clingman in either direction was a pain, especially in the busiest parts of the day. Hopefully this helps.
I’m one who think it’ll help. People coming down Haywood from Washeville are already in the speed mindset and maybe helps make more stopoffs at galleries and art studios more probable.
another view: http://twitpic.com/1tpci8
That begs for a great piece of art in the center of the roundabout. Anyone know of any plans along that line?
I have witnessed many accidents and near-accidents at this intersection. It will also make pedestrians crossing the wide street much safer.
Perfect place for a roundabout, and perfect place for a very special sculpture in the center.
Or a fountain, especially it being the River District and all. You can never have too many fountains.
Or a big metal yard-art chicken, it being the Chicken Hill neighborhood.
A fountain would be lovely, but during times of drought would not be conservation-minded, and would require energy to run it. Being resource-aware is becoming a higher priority, so of course it’s forward-thinking to remember these aspects. Let’s go for a sculpture!