Pack to the Future: The evolution of Pack Square
Volume
29
/ Issue 24
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Buncombe County Special Collections
For decades, officials have been looking for ways to revitalize historic Pack Square in the heart of downtown Asheville. With yet another reimagining under way, Xpress looks back at some of the key changes that have transformed the city center since the 1960s.
arts
Four of a Kind: Audrey Laine Sawyer discusses local crafts
The jeweler and metalworker talks new projects and the city's craft scene.Four of a Kind: Jane Kramer on the local music scene
The singer-songwriter talks new projects and the city's music scene.Four of a Kind: Jess Cooley shares insights on the local comedy scene
The stand-up talks new projects and the city's comedy scene.Poet Michael Hettich challenges readers to embrace life’s unknowns
In this month's poetry feature, we speak with Michael Hettich about the way poetry connects readers to the living and the dead, the art forms ability to capture the unsayable…Four of a Kind: Mildred Barya talks local literary scene
The poet talks new projects and the city's literary scene.Julia Sanders, Marlowe, The Maggie Valley Band and Tristan Smith release new albums
Country/Americana, hip-hop, pop-infused alt-country and practically everything else are represented in this month's new release round-up.Around Town: Literary series will focus on trees, nature in Jewish poetry
Yetzirah will present a reading featuring three Jewish poets. Plus, Artéria Collective students will document the reparations process, Asheville Junior Theater will put on Peter Pan Jr. and a Tyger…food
What’s new in food: Reimagined Tastee Diner celebrates official ribbon-cutting
Tastee Diner's new owner, Steven Goff, discusses his updates to the historical West Asheville restaurant. Also: MLK Prayer Breakfast returns with in-person event; local eateries gear up for Restaurant Week;…living
Awkward conversation: How to talk to your kids about online pornography
No parent wants to talk about pornography with their child. No child wants to talk about porn with their parents. These are facts. Yet John Van Arnam of Black Mountain…news
Early traffic woes spark updates to Asheville’s trolley system, 1923-24
As the popularity of automobiles grew in Western North Carolina, traffic issues soon followed. One of the earliest problems involved drivers parking their cars on the trolley lines. By 1923,…Q&A: Travis Rountree on the history of the LGBTQ+ community in WNC
Since 2019, Travis Rountree, assistant professor of English at Western Carolina University, has worked to help archive Western North Carolina's LGTBQ+ community.Pack Square revitalization has been a constant for decades
For decades, officials have been looking for ways to revitalize historic Pack Square in the heart of downtown Asheville. With yet another reimagining under way, we take a look back…Green in brief: Conserving Carolina to expand Bracken Mountain Preserve
On Dec. 30, the nonprofit completed the purchase of 34 acres in Brevard to expand the preserve. The new land will bolster the existing 395-acre park, owned by the city…From AVL Watchdog: Information about holiday water failures is trickling out, as Asheville officials meet in private
Asheville’s water may be restored, but the spigot of information from city officials is still clogged.Zack, Kilgore talk police recruitment at CIBO
Asheville Police Department Chief David Zack and Vice Mayor Sandra Kilgore filled in the Asheville-based trade group Jan. 6 about the city's recent efforts to address dozens of vacancies among…Manheimer addresses county board on water outages
During the Jan. 3 meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer fielded questions about the chain of events that left tens of thousands without water…opinion
Letter: Morrison: Should I stay or should I go?
"Is there a particular community that might consider having me relocate there, for the mutual benefit that could be made in the future?"Letter: Abortion funds are too dilute
"I am quite hopeful that if I give as an individual to Asheville Planned Parenthood, I can recoup my money in a few years in the form of local school…Letter: We owe all citizens opportunity for housing
"Being housed makes a tremendous difference when looking for employment, creating a stable base for school assignments and the beginnings of being part of a community."High and dry
Bad news, good news: The Gospel According to Jerry
"The African American community, in cooperation with UNC Asheville, has established a charter school, the P.E.A.K. Academy, which is specifically designed and staffed to give poor Black and other minority…Letter: New noise ordinance isn’t protecting residents
"We as residents in the city are constantly bombarded by noise, and we need an ordinance that lets us enjoy our residences without this excessive noise intrusion."Not well
Letter: Think about unity and future in Pack Square redesign
"The name I would like to see the people of Asheville and Buncombe consider is Unity Future Park and Unity Future Square. I think a clock tower can go where…