“For a town that touts its ‘progressiveness,’ the city of Asheville has shown once again that it is only willing to take the measures that will make our town pretty for its tourists — not livable for its residents.”
Tag: City of Asheville
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Halloween on Vermont Avenue spooked by higher city permit fees
In previous years, the city’s temporary use permit, which is required to shut down Vermont Avenue, cost the event’s organizers $100. This year, the price jumped to $500.
Letter: A stain on this town
“I call foul on the city for engaging in this aggressive, underhanded attempt to further gentrify West Asheville.”
Fallen leaves offer great garden benefits
Local city governments offer leaf collection and processing services, but residents can also put their own fallen leaves to good use.
Kenilworth residents renew noise complaint against Mission Hospital
Earlier this summer, Kenilworth residents followed up on a complaint first sent to the city of Asheville in September 2017. They allege that changes Mission has made to address their noise concerns haven’t eliminated the problem — and that the health system wasn’t acting in good faith when it entered into discussions with the community.
Former City Manager Gary Jackson leaves mixed legacy
As Asheville gears up to begin a new chapter in its administration, Xpress asks what lessons, if any, can be learned from Jackson’s time as the city’s top employee. But given the reluctance of so many current and former city officials to discuss either Jackson’s firing or his legacy, any final assessment of this recent history may have to wait.
SACEE votes on 100 percent green electricity goal for Asheville
The plurality of Asheville city government’s greenhouse gas emissions in fiscal year 2017 — roughly 9,100 tons — came from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas, to create electricity. That number could drop to zero by the end of the next decade, however, should Asheville adopt a resolution currently under development by the city’s Sustainability Advisory Committee on Energy and the Environment.
Visiting Artist Program takes a new approach to public work
Three finalists were recently selected, including Jefferson Pinder; the team of Monique Luck, Flavia Lovatelli and Francisco Gonzalez; and the team of Amir Shakir and Ivette Cabrera.
County approves GE incentives, launches new early childhood ed initiatives
Though breaking news about new Wanda Greene indictments made it hard for elected officials and members of the public to focus on anything else, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved $685,000 in incentives for a planned local investment by GE Aviation and announced two new early childhood education initiatives during its meeting on June 5.
Letter: Kudos to Parks and Rec
“I would like to give a big thank-you and a round of applause to the city of Asheville Parks and Recreation Department.”
Edible gems: WNC’s landscape is bursting with late-spring berries
June is high season in Asheville for local berries, including some that can be harvested in the city’s public spaces.
Asheville can learn from Gatlinburg’s sustainability progress
“Most amazing is Gatlinburg’s pioneering waste processing plant, which attracts observers from around the world and turns the idea of recycling on its head.”
Nonprofits compete for city, county grant funding
Local nonprofits compete for city and county grant funding every year. Xpress looks at the funding programs available and what nonprofits must do to be considered.
Asheville City Manager Gary Jackson to retire this year
The mayor of Asheville announced the departure of City Manager Gary Jackson at a City Council meeting that also addressed the city’s effort to create a commission focused on racial equity and its opposition to an NCDOT plan to widen Merrimon Avenue.
City weighs environmental pros and cons of natural greenways
As greenways grow in popularity, the city of Asheville is looking into natural surface trails as a possible way to develop a greenway system that benefits people, the planet and the city’s pocketbook. But are greenways of dirt and gravel actually more green?
Xpress presents: The complete 2017 Asheville Innovators list
Xpress presents its 2017 Asheville Innovators
Xpress presents: 2017 Asheville Innovators — Sara Sanders and Brent Skidmore
Xpress presents the 2017 Asheville Innovators. Our website will feature profiles of the eight projects and organizations we selected. Our sixth profile is Sara Sanders and Brent Skidmore.
Xpress presents: 2017 Asheville Innovators — Sunil Patel
Xpress presents the 2017 Asheville Innovators. Our website will feature profiles of the eight projects and organizations we selected. Our fifth profile is Sunil Patel.
City details pay increases, nepotism policy
In the wake of controversy over early retirement, retention bonuses and discretionary raises paid by and to former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene and other highly paid county employees, the city of Asheville wants to reassure residents that its compensation practices are on the up-and-up.
Buncombe residents call for brake on traffic growth
As development across Buncombe County continues to boom so do concerns about traffic. Xpress takes an in-depth look at who you can turn to for traffic studies, traffic calming and more.
Family Justice Center sees 50% rise in victim intake, commissioners expand preschool offerings
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners heard about the success of the Family Justice Center helping abuse survivors while also learning those using the resources has seen a 50 percent increase in the last three months.