Goodness gracious, what a no brainer! And the diocese even offered $300,000 more for the parcel. The downtown area has only one small green space (Pritchard Park), which is severely overused. A landscaped green space in front of the U.S. Cellular Center and, of course, the treasured Basilica, is absolutely a no brainer. We the […]
Tag: downtown
Showing 85-105 of 146 results
Let’s learn from our mistakes
My daddy taught me to learn from my mistakes. Please remind City Council to learn from theirs. I am very unhappy about selling the property in [the area of] the U.S. Cellular Center, Basilica of St. Lawrence, Pack Library and Grove Arcade to McKibbon. Here are some examples Council can learn from. Staples: Council struggled […]
A primer on the Business Improvement District controversy
Tonight, Asheville City Council is set to tackle the issue of a Business Improvement District — a services nonprofit funded by a special tax district in downtown. Here’s a roundup of information and perspectives on this controversial topic.
Pushcart vendors asking city to ease restrictions
Tomorrow, a newly-formed group representing the city’s pushcart vendors will ask the Downtown Commission to end restrictions on their ability to operate during special events and on their nighttime operating hours.
Downtown Commission floats trial rules for newspaper boxes
At a meeting with newspaper representatives this morning, Downtown Commission members and city of Asheville planners presented ideas for restrictions on newspaper boxes, including limiting locations, height, and how many could be grouped together. The commission hopes to test the voluntary rules over the next 45 days.
Council gets an earful on BID, other issues at community meeting
At a community meeting focusing on the core of the city, Asheville City Council heard from a number of residents, property, and business owners critical of a proposed Business Improvement District downtown. Others had concerns about a possible hotel near the Basilica of St. Lawrence, among other issues.
LIVE: Coverage of the May 29 Asheville City Council community meeting
Follow live Twitter coverage of tonight’s Asheville City Council community meeting, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meeting focuses on the issues facing the central part of the city, including downtown.
In pushing for new riders, A.R.T. neglects longtime users
I am an old lady with arthritic knees. But I've always been able to get to Earth Fare at Westgate using the bus. No longer. It doesn't really even go there anymore. I can no longer even get to the bus terminal without walking from Pritchard Park. A great part of the Asheville Redefines Transit […]
Taxpayers foot the bill for the BID program
The city administrators are striving to create a business improvement district, or BID program. The defined area will include all the businesses and every property owner in that district. Instead of having everyone included in the defined area having a vote, they will subdivide into smaller districts. Therefore, many residents in a subdistrict will be […]
Asheville City Council holds community meeting tonight
Asheville City Council will hold a community meeting tonight on issues facing the central part of the city — including downtown — at 6:30 p.m. in the Public Works Building.
Plan for downtown Asheville Business Improvement District faces skepticism
On June 12, Asheville City Council will vote on creating a special tax area to fund the downtown Business Improvement District, a nonprofit entity with its own service and security functions. But the BID faces no shortage of criticism about its consequences and accountability.
PHOTOS: Asheville Ballet performs Sleeping Beauty tonight and tomorrow, tickets available
The Asheville Ballet performs Sleeping Beauty at Diana Wortham Theatre, tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30 pm. Tickets range from $15 to $40, with group rates available in all sections. Call the box office at (828) 257-4530 for reservations, and call Ann Dunn, Director, at (828) 258-1028 for group rates. Photos by Megan Dombroski
*UPDATED WITH VIDEO* Photos: Impromptu midnight march through downtown opposing Amendment One
March remained peaceful, but vocal, no damage to property. Organizers say this is not the end, only the beginning.
Big Love fills Pack Square
Thousands turned out for the Big Love festival in Pack Square. Thank you, Asheville, we love you!
Asheville’s plan to end homelessness is working
An April 16 mountainx.com story included photos from the Asheville Homeless Network’s visit to Mayor Bellamy’s office, where they were able to share their views with city staff about homelessness and housing in our community [“Asheville Street People Claim … Harrassment”]. At Homeward Bound, we’re grateful to be part of a community with leadership that’s […]
Asheville on a pedestal: What the success stories miss
The Atlantic‘s Cities blog has highlighted one of the cities’ great success stories — its downtown revitalization — as a model for others to follow. That’s true, but it’s not the whole story, and the rest reveals important issues urbanism discussions often neglect.
The Atlantic highlights Asheville’s downtown revitalization as model for future
The Atlantic‘s Cities blog has featured Asheville’s downtown redevelopment efforts, especially those of Public Interest Projects, as an example of “the simple math that can save cities from bankruptcy.”
Place your BIDs: Property owners propose downtown business improvement district
Amid talk of higher taxes and better services, City Council may soon decide whether downtown Asheville gets a business improvement district. Many city residents first encountered the term in 2009, when Boston-based consultants Goody Clancy recommended the idea in their draft of what became Asheville’s Downtown Master Plan. Council adopted the plan later that year, […]
More than 300 bicycles make streets green for a day
Asheville On Bike’s annual St.Patrick’s Day ride, The Bike of The Irish, drew a record number of participants in all shades of green and any description of bike.
A portion of the crowd that participated in The Bike of The Irish which went through Downtown, Montford, West Asheville, and the River Arts District today.(Photo by Bill Rhodes)
VIDEO: Men strut in stilettos to fight sexual violence
Men pranced around in pumps and stilettos downtown Sunday to raise awareness about sexual assault, violence, and rape. OurVOICE hosted the event to film a promotional video for their third Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, which takes place April 28.
City will bring forward hotel offer on Haywood St. properties in March
The city of Asheville will examine an offer from McKibbon hotel group for property near the Basilica of St. Lawrence, city staff said at a meeting of City Council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee today, and bring forward more information in March. However, Council members are far from set on the hotel plans: one called the city’s approach “testing the waters.” Photo by Bill Rhodes.