Public Invited to Downtown Master Plan Meetings
As downtown Asheville has grown, characteristics such as building height and design, maintaining small independent businesses, infill development and redevelopment of key areas have emerged as key issues. The Downtown Master Plan process is being steered by the Downtown Commission, an advisory board to the Asheville City Council charged with focusing on the sustainability and continued development of downtown.
In 2002, Asheville’s City Council adopted the Center City Plan as part of the city’s Comprehensive 2025 Plan to provide a cohesive framework for addressing housing, transportation, economics, and the physical environment in downtown. The main purpose of the document was to strengthen downtown Asheville as the social, cultural, and economic center of the region while ensuring that the unique characteristics that attract residents and visitors were well preserved.
The future growth
and development of downtown will be guided by this plan, and the
quality of the plan is directly dependent on havinginput from a broad
variety of citizens, businesses, and all stakeholders.
The City
of Asheville is hosting a series of public meetings for the Downtown
Master Plan Process. Staff support is being provided through the City
of Asheville’s Office of Economic Development. All meetings are public
meetings — everyone is welcome.
Thursday, May 8, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Kick Off Public Meeting – Asheville Civic Center Banquet Hall. Hear
about the process, meet the planners and give input about your visions
for downtown.
Thursday, May 15, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
History of Downtown Asheville: Understanding the Context – Public
Works Bldg, 161 S. Charlotte Street. Local Panel & Discussion.
Local downtown experts discuss the history of downtown.
Friday, May 30, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Current Issues in Downtown Development – Asheville Community
Theater, 35 E. Walnut Street. Community Educational Session. Explore
specific urban issues such as design and affordability.
Saturday, May 31, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Downtown Master Plan Workshop – Location to be announced. This
workshop will be a day of small group work directed towards specific
issues.
Thursday, June 12, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Draft Vision and Goals – Asheville Civic Center Banquet Hall.
Community Feedback Session. After the June 12 feedback session, the
consultant team will spend a couple of months drafting objectives and
strategies to meet the community’s vision and goals.
There
will be a follow-up public meeting in August or September when the
draft plan will be presented for additional community feedback. The
final plan is expected to be brought to the Asheville City Council in
October 2008.
