Violent and disturbing incidents downtown are leaving workers frustrated and frightened. One business owner at an Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce listening session asked the assembled crowd, “How many people have to get assaulted?”
County properties identified for affordable housing
Nearly 480 affordable housing units could be built on property owned by Buncombe County, according to a new analysis shared with the county Board of Commissioners.
Residents share memories of local historic African American sites
To commemorate Black History Month, Xpress asked longtime Asheville residents to share their memories of the three historic African American sites.
Buncombe considers preemptive zoning for crypto mines
The county has not received any applications for cryptocurrency mines, according to a staff presentation provided ahead of a briefing scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 21. But commissioners are expected to weigh in on whether county zoning should be updated in anticipation of future development requests.
Green in brief: Duke Energy completes Hot Springs microgrid
The microgrid includes 2 megawatts of solar panel capacity and 4.4 MW of battery storage. Those resources are enough to power the entire town for an extended period if its connection to the main grid is disrupted.
Area fitness centers emerge from COVID-related downturns
For many local gyms and workout facilities, which saw membership plummet in 2020 and 2021, things took a positive turn in 2022. Most say they are at or near pre-COVID numbers. But virtual offerings, outdoor exercise and smaller exercise classes introduced during the pandemic are likely to stick around.
Development roundup: Northridge Farms proposes 577 units for Weaverville
The proposed development on 88.12 acres would include 118 single-family homes, 163 townhomes or casitas and 296 multifamily apartments across 11 buildings. The single-family homes would be for sale; all other units would be rented out.
Just Economics plans ‘two-tiered’ living wage system
Under the new system, similar to that employed by the national Living Wage For Us campaign, businesses could remain in the Living Wage Program if they agreed to an $18 hourly minimum wage and “committed annual increases” toward a $20.10 wage rate.
From Asheville Watchdog: What are the odds of a casino in Asheville?
North Carolina can support as many as nine Las Vegas-style casinos with gambling throughout the state, including one in the Asheville area, according to a report commissioned by the General Assembly.
Development roundup: P&Z approves new Enka Commerce Park plans
The new plans call for three buildings with a combined total of 585,360 square feet, as well as 463 parking spaces and truck loading docks. The project is tentatively scheduled to come before Asheville City Council for final approval on Tuesday, Jan. 24, where the public will be allowed to provide further input.
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 of Brevard, which connects to the Pisgah National Forest.
Businesses put humor to work along Asheville’s ‘pun corridor’
One local transit corridor inspires daily grins — and groans — through its plethora of clever roadside signs and business names. Running roughly from Mostly Import Auto Repair on Biltmore Avenue to Thyme in the Garden on Weaverville Highway, this pun-sodden stretch is a welcome sight for wordplay fans and weary commuters alike.
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 over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Year in Review: Development and tourism remain hot topics
Community members weigh in on the impact of visitors and “progress” throughout 2022.
Green in brief: Asheville protects land at Mills River water plant
Backed by a $400,000 grant from the N.C. Land and Water Fund, the nonprofit Mills River Partnership is restoring roughly 14 acres of riverside near the plant. Maria Wise, the nonprofit’s executive director, says her organization will stabilize the riverbanks and replace invasive plants with native varieties.
Beyond white squirrels: Specialty shops abound in Brevard
“Brevard has a uniqueness and a whole different vibe than existed 10 years ago in a really cool way,” says Dee Dee Perkins, owner of the outdoor supplies and gear shop D.D. Bullwinkel’s. She credits new breweries and Transylvania County Tourism’s focus on mountain biking.
Development roundup: City to present updates on preservation of African American communities
At the Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7., Alex Cole of the city’s Planning and Urban Design department will share new details on the African American Heritage Resource Survey and Burton Street Architectural Survey.
Chamber of Commerce addresses water quality, development
On heels of a 2021 study that showed the power of the French Broad River as an economic driver, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce convened a panel to discuss the importance of keeping that engine clean.
Asheville chamber looks ahead at changes in Raleigh
The local business group’s annual event usually features WNC’s General Assembly delegation and its reflections on happenings in Raleigh. This year, the entirety of Buncombe County’s incoming state House contingent was absent: As newly elected officials, Eric Ager, Lindsey Prather and Caleb Rudow were taking part in orientation at the capitol.
Buncombe tries to fix its property tax appraisal system
An action plan county staffers presented to the Board of Commissioners Oct. 18 includes steps to help owners of cheaper homes seek reductions if they think the county has valued their homes too highly, to get property owners to report when they upgrade their homes and to refine some aspects of how Buncombe’s appraisers do their jobs.
Local entrepreneurs pitch business plans during annual Mountain Raise
This year, seven companies were ready to pitch. Xpress takes a look at them all.