An unassuming patch of ground on East Chestnut Street embodies a critical debate confronting Asheville: How does a rapidly changing city balance the unique virtues of local character and the pressing need for more housing?
Tag: development
Showing 190-210 of 300 results
Putting numbers to Asheville’s housing crunch
It’s commonly said that housing’s hard to find in Asheville. Numbers from the U.S. Census and elsewhere shine a light on exactly how hard.
Trying to find a place to live in Asheville
In discussions about housing in Asheville government officials, developers, neighborhood activists, and even non-profit representatives are featured in the media. But there’s another group that’s not heard from: people who work in the city and are trying to find a place to live. Xpress wants to hear your stories about that search and its challenges.
Council contemplates tax increase, possible water lawsuit, approves Whole Foods development
Tonight, Asheville City Council discussed a possible tax hike to help offset some financial impacts that pending state legislation could have on the current budget crunch, and Mayor Terry Bellamy said she’d vote to sue the state if it went through with a proposal to forcibly transfer the city’s water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District. Council also approved a Tunnel Road commercial development anchored by a Whole Foods.
Asheville City Council preview: buildings and budgets
Developments in South Asheville and Tunnel Road are up for consideration at tomorrow night’s Asheville City Council meeting, along with (of course) the city’s ongoing budget crunch.
How we got here: A primer on Asheville’s budget crunch
The city of Asheville has dealt with budget concerns for a number of years now, but this year state legislation has pushed a manageable situation into a dire one, to hear staff and Asheville City Council tell it. How did the city get here?
City building permits on the rise
The city of Asheville issued 741 new building permits during the first quarter of the year, an increase from the last three years. The figures include both new residential and commercial construction.
Asheville City Council: Redux
A vote on a living wage was delayed, the Business Improvement District was shelved, and Asheville City Council once again voted for a resolution opposing state legislation taking its water system. Also: Council will hold another budget town hall April 18 at 6 p.m. in South Asheville.
Maps reveal how Asheville, county property values have shifted
Maps from the Buncombe County Tax Assessor’s office reveal how property values shifted — sometimes drastically — after the recent property revaluation. Almost every neighborhood within the city of Asheville saw values rise, while the housing market crash hit most areas of the county hard, with some areas even losing half their property value.
A place at the table: Art and commerce collide in Asheville
As the local creative sector gains financial clout, tensions loom between art as a business, an economic-development tool and a means of personal expression.
Density, money, state politics on Council’s radar for this year
At their retreat yesterday, Asheville City Council members discussed a variety of topics facing the city, focusing especially on density, budget issues, the effect of state legislation, and even a possible overhaul in the way city government deals with the arts.
Asheville City Council preview: reporting for duty
Money, neighborhoods, water, the legislature, and noise are just a few of the matters Asheville City Council will receive information on tomorrow night, as the agenda is packed with an array of reports.
‘A pyramid instead of a rake’: City reorganizes senior staff, creates new department
Asheville City Manager Gary Jackson has undertaken a major staff reorganization: Three senior staff members will oversee “functional groupings” that put multiple, related departments under one umbrella, and a new “general services” department will oversee building and vehicle maintenance. Jackson claims the changes will make for better coordination and efficiency,
After President Obama’s gone: what the national media missed about Asheville
After President Barack Obama’s visit earlier this week, an inevitable outpouring of attention from the national media followed. Here’s the facts — harsher and more fascinating — that they missed. Photo by Max Cooper.
Council gets glimpse at budget challenges; moves on signs, drive-thrus
At a Finance Committee meeting today, city staff told Asheville City Council members that despite an increase in property values, the city still faces many of the recurring budget challenges. At its regular meeting, Council approved a controversial drive-thru development and larger signs for Biltmore Park Town Square.
Asheville City Council preview: Signs and drive-thrus
After the analysis of its financial dilemmas before, Asheville City Council’s formal meeting tonight sees the return of a controversial proposal for drive-thrus on Merrimon Avenue and expanded signs in Biltmore Park.
Infrastructure issues front and center as West Asheville has its say
With a high turnout for an Asheville City Council community meeting, West Ashevilleans told their elected officials about their concerns, including the impact of a future Interstate 26 connector and the need for better infrastructure in the area.
Asheville City Council preview: West Asheville in the spotlight
Tonight, Asheville City Council will meet at 6 :30 p.m. at Hall Fletcher Elementary for a community meeting dealing with the needs of the West Asheville area.
City: unauthorized work led to Carolina Lane building collapse
The work that caused the collapse of 15 Carolina Lane Thursday afternoon was never authorized by the city of Asheville. The Building Safety department is currently investigating the incident. Photo from the Asheville Fire Department.
Asheville City Council gives New Belgium the go-ahead
During a meeting that lasted almost to midnight, Asheville City Council approved New Belgium’s brewery in the River District. Council also approved funding for sidewalk improvements and a study of alternate truck routes to address concerns of some residents about the traffic the business will bring. (Pictured: City Clerk Maggie Burleson swears in all those who wanted to speak at the public hearing. Photo by Max Cooper)
Asheville City Council preview: beer, food, drive-thrus
It’s a busy evening for Asheville City Council tonight, as they consider approval of the New Belgium brewery, a plan for local food sustainability, and the second phase of a Harris Teeter-anchored commercial development on Merrimon Avenue.