College Patton Improvements Project
College Patton Improvements Project
This project will implement improvements on sections of College Street and Patton Avenue in the core of Downtown Asheville with the goal of improving safety, accessibility, and equity for all users of the streets and users of the wider City transportation network. The project area includes College Street between Spruce Street and Pritchard Park and Patton Avenue between Pritchard Park and Biltmore Avenue.
Happening Now
This project has been restructured after initial construction bids significantly exceeded available budget.
To work within funding limits, staff revised the strategy to allow City crews to perform localized pavement repairs, sign fabrication and installation, which is currently underway (as of September 30, 2026). Because the pavement is in relatively good shape, the entire corridor will not be resurfaced. The revised project scope incorporates improved bicycle and pedestrian safety, targeted spot repairs to deteriorated sidewalks and curb ramps for improved accessibility. Final adjustments to these plans are nearly complete, and the remaining portions of the project will soon be rebid for construction.
Next Milestone: Major construction will ramp up in spring 2027, with the entire project scheduled for completion by late summer 2027.
Background
In addition to general improvements, this project advances street design in consistency with adopted City plans and policies to improve multimodal transportation, particularly in Downtown. Plan alignment includes the 2009 Downtown Master Plan, the 2012 Complete Streets Policy, the 2016 Asheville in Motion Mobility Plan and the 2018 Living Asheville Comprehensive Plan.
Asheville consistently ranks as one of the top cities in North Carolina for bicycle and pedestrian fatalities. Building dedicated facilities for these vulnerable users is one of the most effective ways to reduce fatalities. College Street and Patton Avenue are the main and only east-west streets through Downtown and provide key connections to east and West Asheville. Bike lanes will connect to existing bike lanes and future bike lanes in downtown and beyond.
This project also aligns with City Council’s 2036 Vision for transportation and accessibility: “Whether you drive a car, take the bus, ride a bike or walk, getting around Asheville is easy. Public transportation is widespread, frequent, and reliable. Sidewalks, greenways, and bike facilities get us where we want to go safely and keep us active and healthy. It is easy to live in Asheville without a car and still enjoy economic, academic, and social success.”
Related Projects
Traffic Signal Replacement project - In Progress
Patton Avenue Sidewalk Accessibility Improvements - Complete
Carter-Ann-Patton Stormwater Project - Complete
Pack Square Plaza Visioning - Complete
Contact
Jessica Morriss, Assistant Director, Transportation Department