Surrounded by mountains and crammed into a 45-square-mile valley, the city of Asheville is bursting at the seams, suffering from a severe housing shortage, skyrocketing rents and home prices, overcrowded streets with no place to park, and an abundance of lower-paying, tourism-based jobs.
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features a versatile phone case that aims to make action shots and selfies a breeze and a youth group empowering girls through the game of lacrosse.
JB Media’s online course boasts the same up-to-date information on digital marketing as the company’s in-person course, but a web platform and more affordable pricing may allow more busy entrepreneurs and individuals to partake in the lessons.
On Tuesday, Aug. 4, the Buncombe County Commissioners will gather for the first meeting of the fiscal year, which began July 1, to discuss rezoning requests and a resolution aiming to reduce the number of mentally ill individuals in the county jail.
Transportation concerns and maintaining a balance between the old and new were the highlights of the latest round of discussions on the River Arts District form-based coding project, with plenty of unanswered questions left on the table.
“We must address the housing crisis now, before it’s too late. I believe this can be done by requiring employers to pay their employees a living wage — which, like affordable housing, is also an endangered species here.”
On a cool, foggy July morning, more than 300 children bustle past a row of blooming sunflowers and into Hall Fletcher Elementary as teachers hand out new pencils, the principal greets them by name, and the UNC Asheville mascot poses with them for photos. But it’s only midsummer: Why are these students filing through the doors about a month before their peers at other city schools?
“First, in our market of skyrocketing property values, we must acknowledge the need for some amount of subsidy to fill the gap between low-wage workers’ ability to pay rent or a mortgage and the landlord/developer’s need for a fair return on investment. “
Sixteen candidates have officially thrown their hats into the ring for the Asheville City Council elections this fall. Each week, Xpress will introduce, in brief, four candidates’ backgrounds and ideas for the city. This week, we’ve got Corey Atkins, Carl Mumpower, Lindsey Simerly and Dee Williams.
“The free market isn’t good at providing housing for low- to moderate-income folks. … For builders, a lower-cost home is almost always a lower-profit home.”
“We believe that a rigorous case-by-case evaluation and review of proposals and programs by groups that are on the front lines of the problem is the best way to reduce workforce housing costs.”
With the opening of its third Asheville-area tearoom, Dobra proves that WNC is developing a love for tea.
“Safe, affordable housing is a step toward opportunity and success but not the final destination. It’ll take accessory units, manufactured homes, cooperatives, land banks, increased density, small homes and apartments to address the lack of supply.”
“Every day, our case managers work to find safe, affordable places for our clients to live. Now, however, we simply cannot find those homes.”
Forget “Keep Asheville Weird.” For many locals, the motto might as well be: “Make Asheville Affordable.”
What does a drought in California have to do with Western North Carolina? Local experts say that the situation holds lessons for food systems throughout the country, including how to become more resilient in the face of climate change.
After the U.S. Cellular Center decided to prohibit wild and exotic animal performances in January, the Asheville City Council decided to consider prohibiting these types of events from all city venues. A revision to the city’s animal ordinance, banning circuses and other wild animal entertainment, was passed at the Tuesday, July 28 meeting.
A new vegan lunch service opens in August, Farm Burger hosts a raffle to benefit ASAP and five local restaurants win recognition from Wine Spectator magazine. Plus food writer Jonathan Ammons talks about his latest favorite dish — grit cakes at Louise’s Kitchen.
The free LEAF Downtown AVL festival, held Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1 and 2, features high-profile performers like Bootsy Collins’ Rubber Band and Red Baraat. There are also many local acts and a focus on area communities and initiatives.
Duke Energy Progress officials presented an oversize rebate check of $42,144 to the Asheville Housing Authority for installing a number of energy-efficiency features during the renovation of the Arthur R. Edington Education and Career Center in the Southside neighborhood
New eatery The Asheville Commissary Kitchen and Pub offers patrons an indoor, full-service dining experience, but sources its food from a rotating cast of food trucks and burgeoning chefs.
