The Latest
Recovering from Hurricane Helene
The City is hard at work providing resources and recovering from Tropical Storm Helene. The latest updates, including water service recovery, debris management and relief assistance can be found on the City's Helene Response and Recovery page here.
Small Business Recovery Grants
The City of Asheville has made just over $700,000 available for Small Business Recovery Grants. The grants will be distributed by our partners at Mountain BizWorks as part of the Asheville-Buncombe Rebuilding Together Grant Fund.
Businesses within the city limits of Asheville that employ fewer than 200 full-time workers will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $25,000. These grants are meant to help businesses recover losses that aren’t covered by other forms of assistance. This could include repair and replacement of lost business infrastructure, inventory, equipment or working capital.
More information, including the grant application, is available on the Mountain BizWorks website.
Find more information about additional grants for small businesses at www.wncstrongtogether.org or click on the image below.
Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) Operator RFP Moving Forward
On September 20, 2024, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to contract with an Operator/Service Provider to deliver supplemental services within the defined Business Improvement District boundary.
The Scope of Work outlined in the RFP reflected input from the public, incorporating supplemental services in the following focus areas:
- Safety & Hospitality: Ensuring a welcoming and secure environment for everyone
- Enhanced Cleaning: Keeping our downtown clean and well-maintained
- Special Projects: Undertaking initiatives that enhance the downtown experience
Due to the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene, the timeline of the RFP process was extended. The third and final Addendum was posted on Thursday, October 31 and includes answers to questions that were submitted as part of the RFP process. The proposal deadline for prospective Service Providers was November 13, 2024.
The RFP and all associated materials can be viewed on the City's bids/purchasing webpage here.
Following the RFP and proposal evaluation process, staff is scheduled to seek City Council approval to execute a contract with the selected BID operator on December 10, 2024. A public hearing will take place as part of this consideration.
With an executed contract by the end of December, initial BID services are expected to launch in January 2025.
More information and background on the Downtown Business Improvement District is available here.
APD Realigns Patrol Districts to Enhance Efficiency and Response Times
Effective September 30, the Asheville Police Department (APD) implemented a realignment of its existing patrol districts. This strategic shift is designed to improve operational efficiency, enhance public safety, and reduce response times across the city. By optimizing patrol coverage based on the city's evolving needs, the APD aims to continue delivering high-quality service to Asheville residents and visitors.
New Patrol Districts
As part of the realignment, Asheville is now divided into three primary patrol districts:
- Charlie District: Covering the North/Central areas of Asheville.
- Baker District: Now serving the South/East areas of Asheville.
- Adam District: Will retain its current boundaries and continue to provide coverage in West Asheville.
The adjustment aligns the APD's resources more closely with population growth and traffic patterns, which is expected to reduce response times and improve overall service delivery in each district.
Positive Crime Reduction Trends
In addition to the realignment, the APD's data-driven strategies have already proven effective in enhancing public safety. Significant reductions in both violent and property crimes have been reported:
- Citywide violent crime has decreased by 3% compared to the previous year.
- Downtown violent crime has seen a 5% reduction.
- Citywide property crime is down by 11% from the previous year.
- Downtown property crime has decreased by 19%.
These reductions highlight the success of targeted policing efforts and the continued commitment of the Asheville Police Department to keeping our city safe.
Looking Ahead
With the district realignment, APD is focused on building on these positive trends and further enhancing its community-oriented policing efforts. By streamlining patrol operations and continuing to rely on data-driven approaches, the department aims to keep Asheville a safe, vibrant community for everyone.
Click here to view more details.
New 24/7 Downtown Restroom to Open at College Street and Rankin Avenue
A new restroom facility at Rankin Avenue and College Street is set to open very soon! Final closeout is underway; stay tuned for an opening date this month.
This 24/7 accessible public restroom is intended to enhance downtown amenities, improve cleanliness and promote public health.
The project was funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds and features a modern, durable design that prioritizes safety, accessibility, and maintainability.
Additional investments in the surrounding public space include a new irrigation system and landscaping, new lighting, and the installation of security cameras.
The facility will be cleaned and restocked twice daily by the City's Parks Security staff, and supplemental security will be provided through the City's Parking Garage Security contractor. Servicing will be adjusted as-needed.
You can learn more about the project, including background and benefits, on the project page here.
Downtown Cleanliness Contracted Services Continue
Contracted supplemental cleaning services 5 days/week downtown are fully operational after some disruption following Helene. The contractor re-started litter pick up, vegetation control, bio-hazard cleaning and hot-spot response on October 7, and resumed pressure-washing on October 23.
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