The first public Drinks and Dialogue proved an interesting and engaging evening, with many different observations on a complicated topic: segregation in Asheville. Some themes and insights from the night’s discussion, below the cut.
Author: David Forbes
Showing 1828-1848 of 2705 results
Live from City Hall: Council’s Aug. 24 meeting
Asheville City Council members’ Tuesday, Aug. 24, meeting promises to be a doozy: The agenda is long, and some hot topics include the possible reopening of the pedestrian bridge that connects Hillcrest Apartments with the rest of town. Earlier this year, a pedestrian was killed as he tried to dash across I-240. For live coverage by Senior News Reporter David Forbes, click here or tap the title above — and/or follow the Tweet action with #avlgov.
Asheville City Council preview: building bridges
Tomorrow night’s Asheville City Council meeting will revisit two ongoing issues: reopening the Hillcrest pedestrian bridge and possible incentives for the Montford Commons project.
Photo by Jonathan Welch
The Segregation Conversation
Saturday night, Aug. 21, the Drinks and Dialogue event focuses on an issue I’ve written about before. The topic: Why is Asheville segregated? Racial relations in Asheville remain a controversial issue (as I’ve written before) — and one that must be faced.
How walkable is Asheville? Walk Score has the details
Asheville is kind of walkable, if the ratings from the site Walk Score are any indication. The site, which encourages walkable neighborhoods and rates them, scores Asheville overall at a 57 or “somewhat walkable.”
What will you give me?
Asheville City Council Aug. 10 meeting Sidewalks to somewhere Recycling program aims to trim tipping fees Pisgah View Road property sold for affordable housing In the course of their four-hour Aug. 10 meeting, Asheville City Council members addressed a variety of items, including annexations, a contract for park security, a new recycling program and the […]
The sidewalk shuffle
Sidewalks are a hot issue in Asheville these days, complete with protests, possible changes in city policy and a special Council meeting in Haw Creek at the end of the month focusing on the issue. What’s behind the ruckus?
Twitter coverage of Aug. 10 City Council meeting
Join Xpress Senior Reporter David Forbes as he covers tonight’s Asheville City Council meeting from city hall — on Twitter.
Click through to get a live feed or get the coverage by following the hashtag #avlgov. The meeting begins at 5:00 pm. Tonight’s minutes can be found here and for a live video feed, click here.
Haywood benches reversed “to deter criminal activity” ***updated 12:26 p.m. Tuesday***
Two benches at the intersection of Haywood and Walnut streets were reversed last week: They’re now back to back instead of facing each other. A city spokesperson says the step was taken when, after investigating complaints of drug dealing and other criminal acts, the police “found that certain people were using the positioning of the benches to view and discreetly communicate police activity to one another.”
Asheville City Council preview: housing, security and annexation
At its meeting tomorrow, Aug. 10, Asheville City Council will take up the sale of city property to Habitat for Humanity, a security contract for its parks and proceeding with the annexation of over 700 people.
So, about those peeling signs…
All around Asheville, wayfinding signs keep peeling and a legal battle has ensued between the Tourism Development Authority and contractors who want more money to repair the tattered project. Meanwhile, the TDA has turned to other companies to fix the problem.
CIBO reviews development rules, swears to fight for I-26 connector
In its meeting this morning, the Council of Independent Business Owners heard about proposed hillside development rules from Buncombe County staff, proposed affordable development rules from the city of Asheville’s staff and vowed to fight to get the oft-delayed Interstate 26 connector built. Below is a roundup of live Twitter coverage from Xpress Senior Reporter David Forbes.
Asheville City Council: Like it or not
Vote postponed on Montford Commons tax incentives City ponders retooling health benefits Council considers handicapped parking changes Early next year, nearly 700 people may become Asheville residents thanks to two involuntary annexations initiated by City Council July 27. Capped? Concerned about the number of metered handicapped spaces being used to store cars, Council is considering […]
Unfolding green
A proposed ordinance that would allow eco-friendly, affordable-housing developments in certain areas for considerably more density — and faster approval — met with a reversal July 22 when the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted it down 3-2, instead recommending a scaled-down approach. The incident has triggered a spirited debate about exactly how Asheville will […]
Asheville’s next political battle: sustainability advocates vs. neighborhood activists
I’ll go out on a limb and make a prediction: Asheville’s next big political battle will pit advocates of sustainability and affordability against neighborhood activists.
Police looking for pair of larceny suspects
The Asheville Police Department is seeking two individuals suspected in stealing a number of items — including chainsaws and portable TVs — from area businesses.
Street Preacher Ruckus
It’s become an annual ritual: Street preachers descend on Asheville for Bele Chere, and Ashevilleans come out to confront them — or simply watch the chaos. This year was no exception.
CTS Mills Gap Road Associates lawsuit
In this lawsuit, the CTS corporation demands money from Mills Gap Road Associates, whom it sold the contaminated site of the former CTS of Asheville plant to. CTS claims that the associates have not reimbursed the company for assessments of the contamination at the site, and are thus guilty of a breach of contract. CTSvMillsGap.pdf
Proposed ordinance triggers fight over a sustainable Asheville
A proposed ordinance that would allow considerably more density — and faster approval — for green, affordable development saw a reversal last week when the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted it down 3-2 and recommended a scaled-down version instead. The rules triggered a debate about exactly how Asheville will pursue the oft-touted goal of sustainability.
South French Broad water interruption shuts down YWCA ***UPDATED 3:30 p.m.***
A “scheduled water interruption” in the South French Broad Avenue area has shut down water to homes, along with the YWCA’s child care center and summer camp. According to YWCA marketing director Ami Worthen, however, the organization received no notice of the interruption beforehand. Shortly after 2 p.m., water returned to the area.
Benched
The benches outside the Vanderbilt Apartments in downtown Asheville has been removed by Roman’s deli owner Roman Braverman due, he says, to landlord and customer complaints. Benched: Vanderbilt Apartment residents lost their bench recently; building management say it was Romans’ decision; Romans’ says building management pushed for removal. photo by David Forbes Often used by […]