A meeting originally scheduled between the Asheville Downtown Association, city of Asheville staff and Council members is now a “downtown summit” in Pack Library at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, with the public invited to attend and weigh in on the issues affecting the area.
Tag: City of Asheville
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Off the records: no easy way to access Asheville’s housing complaints
Concerns about substandard rental housing in Asheville are nothing new. But assessing the extent of the problem has proved to be a slippery slope: Although tenant complaints are a matter of public record, there's no easy way to access or search them.
Breaking the mold: complaints spotlight Asheville’s rental housing issues
Multiple complaints about mold, rot, and other woes at a Merrimon Avenue apartment complex earlier this year casts doubt on the ability of local governments to deal with what many see as a serious health issue, leaving tenants feeling powerless to get their grievances addressed. And with the Asheville area having some of the highest housing costs in the state and one-third of its working population earning low wages, many local renters face similar issues.
Asheville Downtown Association to meet with city officials over trash, policing, toplessness
The Asheville Downtown Association will meet with city of Asheville staff and elected officials Oct. 21 to discuss a number of issues that “can no longer be overlooked,” according to an email to its members. The issues include trash, recycling, street sweeping, panhandling, transients, drugs and topless women.
Primary results by the numbers: Manheimer, Miall emerge from Asheville mayoral primary
With all precincts reporting, Asheville Vice Mayor Esther Manheimer emerged from the mayoral primary with a strong lead, racking up 60 percent of the vote. Former city risk manager John Miall was runner-up with 25 percent of the vote, and will go on to face Manheimer in the Nov. 5 general election. The third candidate, community activist Martin Ramsey, gathered 14 percent of the vote.
New Culture and Recreation Authority: Taxation without Asheville representation?
Following contentious Oct. 1 deliberations over who will head a powerful new government entity that will manage Buncombe County’s libraries, parks and recreation facilities, Commissioner Holly Jones expressed “deep concerns about the absence of a District 1 taxpayer voice at the table.”
The gravy train: Incentives, development major topics at CIBO meeting
Over biscuits and gravy this morning, city officials talked to the Council of Independent Business Owners about attempts to change the way development is regulated in West Asheville, and shifting the way they do economic development to better help small businesses.
Push for changes, skepticism at Asheville police forum
Amid concerns about the fairness of the Asheville Police Department and no small amount of skepticism, about 40 community members shared their thoughts this evening on how to improve the city’s law enforcement.
Election year with no Asheville City Council primary very unusual
This year, there is no primary for the Asheville City Council races due to a low number of candidates, an occurrence so unusual even the Buncombe County Board of Elections doesn’t know the last time it happened. Since 1981, there’s been a primary in every Council election.
A day of debates for Asheville mayor, Council candidates
Today has no shortage of debates about local government and the future of our city. The three mayoral candidates meet at the Council of Independent Business Owners luncheon this afternoon, then have a rematch at tonight’s Get There Asheville forum, where they will be joined by the five Asheville City Council candidates. Follow live Twitter dispatches of today’s debates here.
Asheville City Council: more agriculture, a festival search, and downtown crime
At tonight’s meeting, Asheville City Council approved new rules allowing urban farming and produce sales throughout the city. Council also approved starting the search for a summer event to replace Bele Chere. On a less optimistic note, the public and city officials discussed increasing issues of crime, policing and homelessness in Asheville’s core.
Terms of engagement: Asheville mayoral candidates make their case
Whether it’s four years on Asheville City Council, 30 years as a city official or eight years working in a downtown restaurant, all three candidates for mayor tout experience, though they define it in vastly different terms. In an interview with Xpress reporter Caitlin Byrd, the three candidates make their case. (Photos by Max Cooper)
Discussions and observation as city drafts new rules for Haywood Road corridor
At an open house last night on the city of Asheville’s plans to change development rules on the Haywood Road corridor found many community members taking a “wait and see” approach, even as they discussed some goals with planners and consultants.
Roads closed as work continues at North Asheville landslide site
Work continues near the intersection of Sunset Drive and Skyview Place in North Asheville to rebuild a major retaining wall and repair damage caused by a July landslide.
Asheville police unusually short on communications staff
Information obtained by Xpress shows that out of 25 communications positions at the Asheville Police Department, 10 are vacant, leaving the department 40 percent short of its full number.
Hoteliers drop lawsuit against city property sale, for now
Yesterday, representatives for several local hotel chains dropped a lawsuit blocking the city’s sale of property near the Basilica of St. Lawrence to the McKibbon Hotel Group. According to interim City Attorney Martha Walker-McGlohon, the plaintiffs gave no reason for dropping the suit, and retained the right to sue over the matter again in the future.
Asheville City Council preview: going to the dogs
Asheville City Council has a light agenda for its meeting tomorrow, Sept. 10, and an hour work session before the meeting devoted to discussing the proposed North Asheville Dog Park.
Downtown on the march: zoning changes allow for more density, height
Recently, more property owners are requesting inclusion in the city of Asheville’s downtown zoning, meaning that denser, taller development will be allowed in more areas in the future. This may also prove to be the trickle before the flood, as the city is already studying a major extension to downtown’s official borders.
LIVE: Updates from Aug. 27 local government meetings
Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Commissioners meet simultaneously Aug. 27 to discuss very different issues.
Asheville City Council preview: development for Eagle Street
Tomorrow night, Aug. 27, Asheville City Council will consider grants and a loan from its affordable housing trust fund for a project in the Eagle/Market Street area that includes 62 affordable-housing units along with business and community space. If the new funds are approved, the city’s commitment to the project could total $4.6 million.
North Asheville intersection reopens after six months
The intersection of Cherokee Road and Sunset Drive in north Asheville is once again open to cars after it was closed for six months due to the reconstruction of a retaining wall.