Happening Now

 
On March 6, 2026, the City issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for planning and conceptual design services for “ART Place”, a mixed-use, transit-oriented development. 

The project spans 50 Asheland Avenue, a 0.9-acre parcel, and the adjacent existing Transit Center parcel at 49 Coxe Avenue, for a total of 1.48 acres. The project will explore designs and methods to expand the existing Downtown Transit Center for the Asheville Rides Transit (ART) bus system and include on-site affordable housing and other potential services for residents, transit riders, and the larger community.

The City has selected a consultant team to partner with for this study. Staff are finalizing the contract and will bring it to the City Council for approval. Once approved, the project is anticipated to start in Fall 2026.

In the coming months, the project team, which will include both City staff and consultants, will engage with community stakeholders on the design and function of the development. Ultimately, this initial phase will deliver conceptual designs alongside action-oriented steps to identify future funding and potential partnership models to bring ART Place to life.
 

Background

For many years, the Asheville Rides Transit (ART) operations have exceeded the footprint of the existing transit center. This spatial constraint has a number of consequences that impact ART operations and the passenger experience. Among these limitations, the customer service office and central platform are limited in their capacity to increase on-site customer service opportunities and provide comfortable waiting areas for passengers. A constrained number of small bus bays requires that buses must at times layover on Asheland Avenue before entering the Transit Center– this condition affects ART’s ability to coordinate transfers more seamlessly. For these and other reasons, there is an identified need to expand the Transit Center to improve passenger comfort, customer service, and logistical operations for better transit service. 

With the established goal of expanding the Transit Center, City staff sought solutions to build a facility that better meets the needs of the community. The City of Asheville owns the property on which the existing ART Transit Center is located.  In 2021, the City purchased 50 Asheland Avenue, which is the property adjacent on the south to the existing Transit Center, for $2.5 million. Dogwood Health Trust provided $1.25 million toward the purchase of the property -- half of the purchase price -- based on the City's commitment to incorporate quality affordable housing for lower-income families. In addition to affordable housing, the City intends to design a larger Transit Center as a primary goal of the ART Place project, both for existing levels of ART service and to allow for service expansion in the future. The development is also envisioned to include spaces for community services.
 

In 2021, the City applied for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Areas of Persistent Poverty Grant for Pre-construction Activities for ART Place. In 2022, the City was informed they were selected to receive $328,140 for the grant. When combined with the required local match, this grant allotment establishes a total of $365,000 in funding for the new ART Place planning study that will start this fall.

Timeline

2021 – City purchased 50 Asheland Avenue, aided by $1.3 million provided by the Dogwood Health Trust
2021- City applied for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Areas of Persistent Poverty Grant for Pre-construction Activities for “ART Place”
2022 – City selected as recipient of FTA’s Areas of Persistent Poverty Grant for Pre-construction Activities for ART Place.
March 2026 – Release of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Pre-Construction Activities
Fall 2026 -- Anticipated Project Start

Contacts 

Hayley Burton, Urban Planner III, Transportation Department
Christopher Whitlock, Transit Planning Manager, Transportation Department
Jessica Morriss, Assistant Transportation Director, Transportation Department