State of Downtown 2026
Economic trends, major projects, public safety and the overall trajectory of downtown.
Held at The Orange Peel on April 14 & 15, 2026, State of Downtown 2026 drew a sold‑out crowd.
City leaders, business owners, and community partners gathered to assess Asheville’s downtown recovery and outline priorities for the year ahead.
Speakers highlighted renewed investment in public events, including city funding for the Independence Day Block Party and the Holiday Parade, which organizers say are essential to downtown foot traffic.
Updates on public safety coordination—including new partnerships between APD, the Fire Department’s REST team, and Vaya Health—framed safety as both a policing and care‑response issue.
Economic data presented at the event showed a downtown in recalibration, with rising rents but inflation outpacing gains, creating what analysts called an “inflation illusion.” Buncombe County also confirmed progress on a 203‑unit affordable housing project planned for Coxe Avenue.
Despite a $30 million city budget shortfall, Mayor Esther Manheimer emphasized that major festivals will continue due to their economic impact. Organizers noted that more than 75,000 people attended Downtown Association events this year, a sign of strong community engagement.
