Community Gives Input for the Master Plan

Members of the Asheville community gathered at the Master Planning sessions to study map designs and make suggestions for the inner city of Asheville.

By Jackye Summey

What is the master plan? The ideal Master Plan should consist of ideas that reflect the wishes of the people of all of Asheville. Mayor Bellamy is striving to make that happen.

At the workshop the main group was divided into fifteen small workable groups. The task for each group was to answer 4 questions that were designed to make the group generate specific ideas.

The first question
was: “As downtown changes over the next 10-15 years, what do we want to
make sure we keep, no matter what?” This was referring to buildings,
spaces, features, views, etc. We suggested lots of retail shops that
would be independently owned. The downtown area should have no car
traffic; people will use shuttles to move around town. A downtown,
planners hope, that will attract a more diverse population.

There was request to limit the height of buildings and even lower some
buildings. There was a cry to keep the visible history of Asheville
alive. There was a request for mixed use of affordable housing and
businesses downtown and to keep costs constant. There is a need to keep
all festivals downtown in order to bring in revenue. The group
suggested that the African American Business District remain African
American. They also discussed a safer downtown area and to continue the
River-link Park.

Question 2: “In previous meetings we have heard interest from the
community in a downtown shuttle system to move employees, residents and
visitors around downtown. What attributes are important to the success
of a shuttle system?” The group agreed that a free shuttle system would
be feasible and be accessible twenty-four hours a day. The shuttle
system should be limited to the downtown area only. There should be
designated parking areas for those who would be using the shuttle
system.

Question 3: “New development can bring important public benefits.
Examples include parks, green space, work force housing, amenities,
etc. What kind of benefit should development bring to downtown
Asheville?” The group felt that surface parking (parking lots) should
be made better. There should be gateways identifying various districts
in the downtown area. Greenways and bikeways should be downtown for all
to enjoy. The establishment of public restrooms should be reintroducing
in the city. The entire area should be free from cars. The group was
highly interested in extending the urban trail down and through the
Eagle/Market Street district. By doing this the Black History of this
area would be displayed for all who walk the urban trail. There was
strong sentiment to promote businesses geared toward local people.

The final fourth question for the morning secession was: “Many other
cities more actively manage and program their downtown. Examples of the
kinds of things they manage include shared parking, enhanced safety,
special events and programming. What would you have us do better for
managing downtown Asheville?” One word came to the forefront
“sustainability”. There was need for more skilled jobs, incentives in
respect to regulation regarding local vs. corporative development and
mixed use development.

There was interest for certain percentage of
development profit to be earmarked for the homeless in the city. The
open aesthetically enhanced life space within the city should be used.
The TIFF money, or money received from property sold in specific areas,
should go back into the areas where the property is located.

Throughout this workshop everyone accepted the task of trying to plan
acceptable ideas and items that would help make our city a place where
intolerance for diversity and cultural differences are a thing of the
past; where communities are as safe as they were years ago when you
could leave your door open without being afraid.