Paved Paradise: Activist focuses his lens on downtown parking
Volume
30
/ Issue 53
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Caleb Johnson
Over the last year, local activist Rob Robinson has taken his interest in urban design to YouTube, offering his critique of Asheville’s land use policy. His recent video highlighting the large number of downtown parking lots has triggered a broader community conversation about the city’s Unified Development Ordinance, which some argue makes it too difficult to build in the Central Business District.
arts
Best Medicine: Comedians offer tips for dodging the summer heat
"I actually fried an egg on my mailbox this past weekend," notes comedian Cayla Clark in the latest round of Best Medicine. This month, she is joined by fellow local…Around town: Orison Books hosts literary and musical fundraiser
Orison Books holds a fundraiser, Asheville Comedy Festival returns, Museum of the Cherokee People hosts its signature arts festival and more!Theater review: ‘Legally Blonde The Musical’ at Hendersonville Theatre
The adaptation of the beloved film is far from boring, but too wild and untamed to belong in the league of great or even very good musicals.food
Bite Me reimagines the food festival
The inaugural event runs Aug. 14-18.What’s new in food: DayTrip brings ’70s bar concept, burgers to Amboy Road
The soon-to-open business will fill the space across from Carrier Park vacated by Cascade Lounge and Home Ground Coffee & Deli. Also in this week's food news: Big Tikka opens…living
Gardening with Xpress: Tips for quashing squash plant pests
A few strategies for combating squash vine borers, coping with zucchini overload and combining cover crops with no-till gardening.news
Why downtown Asheville is dominated by half-empty parking lots
According to Rob Robinson, 57% of buildable surface area in the Central Business District, not including parks or streets, is surface-level parking lots. That doesn’t include parking garages or on-street…Coalition launches to replace Mission Hospital’s ownership
Reclaim Healthcare WNC’s goals are to replace HCA with a nonprofit hospital system, “hold HCA accountable for its harmful culture and practices” and “restore best-in-class healthcare throughout the Mission system,”…A look at the candidates running for the Buncombe Soil & Water Conservation District board and why it matters
If you don't know what a Soil & Water Conservation District supervisor does, you are not alone. Here's a quick primer on the position, which Buncombe County voters will decide…Council asks voters to approve $80 million bond package
The bonds, if all approved by voters in November, would provide $20 million for housing, $20 million for transportation, $20 million for parks and recreation and $20 million for public…UNC System approves van Noort’s plan to eliminate 4 UNCA academic departments
While the programs will be eliminated, classes in those areas will still be offered, van Noort repeatedly told the board’s Committee on Educational Planning, Policies, and Programs before the board’s action.Xpress wins multiple awards
The Association of Alternative Newsmedia recently announced its 2024 award winners. Xpress staff won first place in the Special Publication category for its Best of WNC guide. The paper also…opinion
Letter: General Assembly should let cities take action on plastic
"Cities such as Durham and Asheville were exploring bans or fees on plastic bags to address local waste management challenges and reduce environmental impact."Fit to be tied
Letter: It’s time for city and county to approve reparations
"Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church firmly believes it is time for these entities to address the pervasive anti-Black racism by approving these recommendations and providing reparations."‘It’s not a tumor’