Asheville City Council approved several changes to the city zoning codes at its March 11 meeting to make it easier, cheaper and faster to build regular and affordable housing along certain major thoroughfares. But it wasn’t without conflict.
Tag: Asheville Downtown Association
Showing 1-21 of 46 results
Who will run the BID? City Council to hold public hearing Jan.14
The Asheville City Council will hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, and consider a contract to launch the services in the BID, which received final approval in June.
BID backlash: Vandalism highlights lingering opposition
Opponents say downtown plan will further marginalize the unhoused population and duplicate services city should be providing.
Letter: Please move Downtown After 5
“I suggest that the Asheville Downtown Association please use Roger McGuire Green for Downtown After 5.”
What would BID safety ambassadors bring to downtown?
Safety and hospitality ambassadors for a downtown Asheville business improvement district would be perceived as a welcome addition by some — additional “eyes and ears” on the street. But others aren’t sure that such a program is a priority.
Business improvement district proposal praised at State of Downtown address
The mayor shared her enthusiasm about a potential business improvement district, or BID, in the city’s downtown.
Chamber of Commerce looks to year ahead
When Kit Cramer arrived at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce as president and CEO in 2010, Asheville’s downtown was the subject of much complaining about panhandling, trash and graffiti.
Fourteen years later, Asheville’s downtown is the subject of much complaining about panhandling, trash and graffiti. And the community is once again considering a BID.
Letter: North Asheville’s gentrified bullies fail to do their part
“But what angers me about it is the Episcopal Appeasement, spelled out in bold that lets North Asheville make millions off intimidation, along with Biltmore Forest and Montreat, while ‘East and West’ do their part, so I really don’t see why the city or county tolerate these gentrified, shirking bullies.”
Letter: Asheville’s eclectic nature rejected from parade
“Recently, I am seeing our city’s eclectic nature being rejected, as in this situation, and Asheville succumbing to corporate entities!”
Letter: Why can’t we promote peace in holiday parade?
“Can we not try to keep some of that inclusivity alive during this season by allowing a parade unit that promotes care for our home — Earth — and peace as a big way to do that?”
Letter: Asheville Downtown Association should reconsider holiday parade parameters
“We think it is a sad commentary about those promoting and organizing this annual event that they cannot see that the groups in Only One Earth Coalition are a vital part of our Asheville community and deserve to be celebrated and raised up, not excluded.”
6 takeaways from the downtown safety update
At a Downtown Commission meeting July 14, Assistant City Manager Rachel Wood said that portions of the 60-day downtown safety and cleanliness pilot have transitioned into ongoing services.
Community groups discuss city advocacy
Asheville on Bikes has recently drawn attention for its successful advocacy at City Hall, but it’s just one of many community organizations that seek to pull the levers of political power in Asheville. Xpress spoke to several of these groups to learn more about how they pursue their agendas.
Letter: How to reduce more waste at Downtown After 5
“We think that with some basic education, the cups can end up in the right place so they get composted.”
Letter: On improving downtown Asheville
“The problems sound enormous and hopeless, and I’m an optimist. But some cities have found solutions.”
City Council to discuss ‘community cleanliness’
Listed on Council’s agenda for Tuesday, March 22, is a presentation about Asheville’s “community cleanliness strategy.” The discussion comes two weeks after the Asheville Downtown Association released its annual survey, in which respondents gave the city’s core a 2.2 out of 5 in terms of cleanliness.
Homelessness, safety rank as top downtown concerns
Safety and reducing criminal activity downtown closely followed homelessness among the top concerns. Survey respondents were asked to evaluate downtown in terms of how safe they felt. The average score was 3.5 out of 5 for perceived safety during the daytime, dropping to 1.9 out of 5 at night.
Downtown survey flags longstanding issues, new pandemic concerns
Outside of COVID-19, the top three business issues reported in the latest Asheville Downtown Association survey remain virtually identical to those of previous years: downtown cleanliness, safety and parking for both visitors and employees.
Carolina Beer Guy: Celebrate Oktoberfest at home
Seasonal celebrations have largely been curbed, but plentiful German-style beers and imports are available throughout the local market.
Strength in numbers: Go Local looks to expand
There is no fee for business owners interested in signing up, says Franzi Charen, founder of Asheville Grown Business Alliance, which produces the card each year. The only requirement is that locally owned, independent shops honor the card with hand-selected special offers.
Carolina Beer Guy: Local Oktoberfest celebrations usher in fall
German transplants and local Oktoberfest event planners discuss annual celebrations in Asheville and abroad.
