A construction project along a small stretch of Patton Avenue is part of the City of Asheville’s long-term plan to make pedestrian walkways compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act — more than three decades after the law went into effect.

A construction project along a small stretch of Patton Avenue is part of the City of Asheville’s long-term plan to make pedestrian walkways compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act — more than three decades after the law went into effect.
“One of these days, a kid will be run over. Then the commissioners will say, ‘Well, we were intending to start putting a sidewalk in on the day before.’ It’ll be too late then.”
“I am afraid the city of Asheville is not interested in neighborhood input.”
“They waste money instead of building sidewalks on every state and city road.”
“There’s an info nugget about our civic priorities.”
“Take what’s left of the money to stop this endeavor now and use the funds to repaint the lines on Merrimon to their former, workable configuration.”
“Having sidewalks, road improvements and replacement of inadequate sewer pipes will benefit both tourists and residents.”
“I would like to hear from the City Council on how they will be funding improving our desperately needed sidewalks in the coming year.”
“If no accommodations are provided now as part of this project, there may never be a chance for this neighborhood and community to have the trees they deserve.”
“We can’t wait for someone to get hurt. We need our sidewalks now!”
“The ‘Wake’ is so timely, and yet also completely ignored, fitting Asheville perfectly!”
Four items on Council’s consent agenda aimed to improve how Asheville residents move about the city — and, thanks to a resolution supporting a statewide initiative for passenger rail in Western North Carolina, potentially across the country. The N.C. General Assembly could provide $890,000 to fund a bus connection between Asheville and Amtrak’s terminal in Salisbury.
“We in North Asheville also have problems with crumbling roadways and sidewalks with lack of repair.”
“As a resident of Haywood Street for almost three years, I have become increasingly concerned about the deplorable condition of the sidewalks on Haywood Street. Crumbling tiles have caused people to stumble and fall, causing real harm.”
“As a wheelchair rider, I deal daily with sidewalks that have compromised safe width space. I have often thought of writing a humorous blog on the adventures of being stuck in plain sight!”
“And although it might not seem significant, indeed it is! It means we as a city are deciding to invest in our fellow Ashevilleans’ safety and peace of mind.”
The city is seeking definition in its relationship with the busking community, and both buskers and businesses are speaking out about the issues that matter to them in hopes of fostering a healthy relationship in an area of the city where space is at a premium.
With an annual economic impact of $2.6 billion, tourism is a critical industry in Western North Carolina. But politicians and local residents are increasingly asking whether the tourism industry is paying a fair share of the cost of providing everything from sidewalks to roads to public safety to tourists. Now, City Councilman Gordon Smith is pushing for a new study to consider the local tourism industry’s impact and sustainability.
“Choosing to cut down mature trees and convert land into impermeable surfaces is an abuse of that trust —especially when obvious alternatives exist.”