Follow live Twitter dispatches from tonight’s Asheville City Council meeting, with controversial topics like the Business Improvement District and the budget deadlock on the agenda.
Author: David Forbes
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Asheville City Council preview: Frying pans and fires edition
At tonight’s Asheville City Council meeting, two extremely controversial topics — a vote on a Business Improvement District and breaking a budget deadlock — are before the city’s elected leaders. If that wasn’t enough, there are also votes on incentives for a south Asheville housing development and New Belgium’s brewery.
Squeezed
At a sometimes tense June 5 budget work session, Asheville City Council members failed to reach consensus on what size raise to give city employees. In their last formal meeting on May 22, Council members had responded sympathetically to demands by police and firefighters for more than the 1 percent cost-of-living increase in the proposed […]
Box cutter
At a June 6 meeting with local newspaper representatives, Downtown Commission members and Asheville city planners presented ideas for restricting the height, placement and configuration of newspaper boxes. The commission hopes to assess the feasibility of the voluntary rules over the next 45 days, gathering data before finalizing the proposal. Two days later, the full […]
Who’s improving whom?
About 40 people gathered in Pack Memorial Library’s Lord Auditorium for a June 5 forum on the proposed business improvement district for downtown Asheville. The event was organized by StopAVLBID, and many in attendance opposed the idea. The group describes itself as a coalition that “includes activists working within the Occupy movement, local cooperatives, community […]
StopAVLBID will hold 4 p.m. rally at City Hall
Full announcement from StopAVLBID: A rally and speak out on the proposed Business Improvement District will be held today at 4 pm and throughout the city council meeting. Food will be served and an information table set up. Attendants are encouraged to bring musical instruments of all kinds. We encourage everyone who views the Business […]
A primer on the Business Improvement District controversy
Tonight, Asheville City Council is set to tackle the issue of a Business Improvement District — a services nonprofit funded by a special tax district in downtown. Here’s a roundup of information and perspectives on this controversial topic.
Pushcart vendors get endorsement for later hours
Pushcart vendors made progress on one of their demands today, as the Downtown Commission unanimously endorse extending their hours to 2 a.m. The commission talked about the vendors’ proposals, as well as the Business Improvement District, possible newspaper box restrictions and other issues.
Pushcart vendors asking city to ease restrictions
Tomorrow, a newly-formed group representing the city’s pushcart vendors will ask the Downtown Commission to end restrictions on their ability to operate during special events and on their nighttime operating hours.
PARC denounces downtown BID proposal
Full announcement from People Advocating Real Conservancy: What’s wrong with the BID? The biggest problem with the proposed Business Improvement District (BID) is that an unelected board would collect tax money and spend it as they wish. If this sounds familiar, that’s because it is. It’s modeled on the much-criticised Convention and Visitors Bureau, which […]
Downtown Commission floats trial rules for newspaper boxes
At a meeting with newspaper representatives this morning, Downtown Commission members and city of Asheville planners presented ideas for restrictions on newspaper boxes, including limiting locations, height, and how many could be grouped together. The commission hopes to test the voluntary rules over the next 45 days.
BID critics come out for forum, plan to rally opposition
About 40 people showed up to a June 5 community forum organized by opponents of the proposed downtown Business Improvement District. Some proponents showed up, too, resulting in a lively but civil discussion. On June 12, Asheville City Council will discuss the proposal and likely vote the BID up or down. (photo by Max Cooper)
“Just not enough to go around” — Council fails to reach consensus on staff raise
At a sometimes tense special June 5 budget work session, Asheville City Council failed to reach consensus on what level raise to give city employees. Staff will likely present both options at the June 12 meeting before Council votes on the issue.
LIVE: Twitter coverage of Asheville City Council budget negotiations
Follow live Twitter coverage of the special Asheville City Council budget work session, beginning at 3:30 p.m., as Council members try to reach agreement on a larger raise for city employees, among other issues.
Community forum on downtown Asheville BID tonight as issue heats up
The past week has seen the issue of a Business Improvement District in downtown Asheville become increasingly controversial, as more organizations and individuals have weighed in on the matter. There will be a community forum on the issue 5 p.m. tonight at Pack Memorial Library, organized by BID opponents.
Marc Hunt announces support for BID, but wants city to appoint board
Full announcement from Council member Marc Hunt: I support creation of a BID and would vote that way at Council for these key reasons: · I believe that Downtown Asheville is a great economic engine for our community in many ways. Additional enhancements to Downtown that would occur under a BID would yield greater economic […]
Budget wrangling: Asheville property tax hike no longer taboo among Council members
For years, even in the midst of city budget shortfalls, one measure has stayed off the table: a property tax hike. But on May 22, several Council members voted for an increase that would have funded a pay raise for Asheville firefighters and police; the proposal failed by a single vote. The raise and tax increase remain under serious consideration as the city tries to resolve its budget concerns in a special work session Tuesday, June 5.
Diamond Brand kicks off benefit for WNC Alliance
Full announcement from Diamond Brand: ARDEN, N.C- On Saturday, June 9th at 10 a.m., Diamond Brand Outdoors will kick off its annual Patagonia Footwear Advocate Program to benefit the Western North Carolina Alliance. The program will run from June 9th-25th and a $10 donation will be made to WNCA for each pair of Patagonia footwearsold […]
Buncombe County Schools announces administrator appointments
Full announcement from Buncombe County Schools ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS: Avery’s Creek Elementary: Ibis Nùñez will replace Malorie McGinnis who is moving to Black Mountain Primary. Nùñez joins Buncombe County Schools from Durham Public Schools where she was the Director of Instruction – Special Education for the past 6 years. Previously, Nùñez served as an elementary […]
Edna’s raises $2,600 for WNC Nature Center
Full announcement from Edna’s of Asheville: [ASHEVILLE, NC] The Friends of the WNC Nature Center received a generous donation from Edna’s of Asheville (Formerly Mountain Java) of $2,600 from revenue generated at the coffeehouse Grand Opening on Saturday May 19, 2012. “The guys at Edna’s of Asheville are committed to animal organizations in this area”, […]
Asheville Grown Business Alliance defends BID proposal
In a post on its blog, the Asheville Grown Business Alliance has defended the controversial proposal for a downtown Business Improvement District: In a climate where downtown Asheville is experiencing significant growth both as a tourist destination and an influx of people choosing to live here, we have to be prepared to manage this growth. […]