Happening Now

The City's Streets Division has made strides by reinstalling the concrete sidewalk in front of the First Citizens Bank.

City staff have encountered some challenges in sourcing trees for planting at this time of year and will not be able to obtain trees as we are leaving the optimal planting season. Don’t worry, City staff will be planting a mix of ginkgos, black gum trees, and little leaf lindens in the fall, prioritizing species that thrive in our local climate and urban areas. By changing the planting schedule it ensures the trees have the best chance to flourish and enhance our community for years to come.

Starting Monday, April 29 at 8a.m. crews will be replacing sidewalk at the Asheland Ave. intersection. This means a full lane and sidewalk closure at this location (see map below). Asheland Ave. will see a lane shift to accommodate the work zone. We're working hard to maintain normal traffic patterns as much as possible. Vehicles can still turn right and left from Asheland Ave. onto Patton Ave. And if you're on Patton, you can continue straight or turn onto Asheland in both directions. The work zone will be set up on Monday and remain in place until the end of the week, weather permitting. 

Background

This section of Patton Avenue was identified as a high priority project for ADA compliance in the GAP Plan adopted by City Council in 2022. A walkability study conducted by the Asheville Downtown Association identified 22 defects along this section of sidewalks, including trip hazards caused by buckling pavement and bulging tree roots. The study did not include the three non-compliant curb ramps that must be replaced for ADA compliance. 

On August 21 2023, the Housing and Community Development Council Committee recommended that a portion of 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds be re-allocated for the purpose of this project. This will allow the City of Asheville to utilize federal funds to make this important infrastructure improvement.

On October 24, 2023, the Asheville City Council approved a project for the repair and enhancement of the sidewalk along the section of Patton Avenue between Asheland Avenue and Coxe Avenue. This project aligns with the City’s commitment to ensure that our public spaces meet the highest standards of safety and accessibility, as stipulated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.

Once the project is ready for construction to begin, City staff will reach out to business owners along the corridor to collaboratively determine the best timeframe for construction in front of their businesses. We understand the importance of minimizing disruptions and will work closely with business owners to ensure that the construction process is as smooth and efficient as possible.​

Opportunities for Input

Once City Staff has recieved approval to begin construction staff will reach out to impacted stakeholders to coordinate the construction schedule to minimize impacts.

Contact Information

Chad Bandy, Streets Division Manager

Public Works, Streets Division

Email: cbandy@ashevillenc.gov

Phone: (828) 259-5852