Updates

Regular newsletter updates on targeted Downtown Cleaneliness and Safety efforts were sent between June 2023 and November 2024. You can view those updates, along with regular reporting to the Downtown Commission at www.ashevillenc.gov/downtown

Find updates on the rollout of the Downtown Improvement District here. Services are focused on enhanced cleaning, maintenance and hospitality. 

Visit the above “Take Action” tab for recommendations on how you can contribute to a safe and welcoming downtown.

What We're Doing

The City of Asheville’s Downtown Safety Initiative to develop a sustainable approach to addressing community safety and cleanliness issues transitioned from a pilot initiative to an ongoing effort in July 2023. During the initial pilot period in May and June 2023, City staff continued standard operations while also tracking and testing actions that had potential to improve safety and cleanliness downtown. You can read more about the initiative on the "Summer 2023 Pilot Program" tab at the top of this page.

Services that continued following the Pilot Program in support of a safe, clean and welcoming downtown included:

Public Safety and Community Support 

  • APD-prioritized coverage of downtown. The department regularly supplements downtown patrols and prioritizes coverage based on crime data. Updated crime data is available here

  • Development and deployment of strategies to increase APD coverage and recruit new officers.

  • 7-day/week security coverage by the Parks Department, with downtown parks being the top focus. 

  • Continuation and expansion of the Community Responder Program (now known as AFD REST) More information is viewable here and on this dashboard

  • Street outreach to engage with individuals experiencing homelessness through a contract with Homeward Bound. 

  • Security coverage in City parking garages and parking lots (new service/contract initiated in in early 2024).

  • Improved systems of reporting and tracking repairs needs for downtown street lighting.  More information is viewable on this dashboard.

  • Increased proactive enforcement of nuisance issues within downtown through the Development Services Department’s Compliance Division. 

Cleanliness

  • City crews provide 7-day/week trash and recycling collection, including 9 full time Public Works employees devoted to downtown cleanliness. Additional contracted services are utilized for litter pick up, vegetation control, pressure washing, biohazard cleaning and improved response to litter hot spots on an as-needed basis. 

  • Purchase and installation of a 24/7 downtown restroom facility (completed in November 2024). 

Addressing Homelessness

 

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June 2, 2025: Launch of the Downtown Improvement District

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January 14, 2025: City Council authorizes BID service provider contract

City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a contract with the Asheville Downtown Improvement District (ADID) to operate the downtown Business Improvement District following a competitive selection process. More information is here

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November 2024: 24/7 Downtown Restroom Facility Opens

A ribbon cutting was held on November 17, 2024 to open the new "Downtown Loo" restroom facility, which will be open to the public 24/7. More information is here

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April 2024: Downtown Restroom site work

Construction on the prefabricated restroom and site improvements outside the Rankin Ave parking garage is scheduled to begin on April 15, 2024. 

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February 2024: Resolutions authorizing contracts to purchase and install prefabricated restroom

Link to resolutions

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February 2024: 24/7 Parking Garage Security

Plus security cameras installed in Harrah's Cherokee Center Parking Garage 

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December 2023: Panhandling and Solicitation Guidelines available

Link to information

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December 2023: City/County Joint Work Session on Homelessness

Link to meeting recording

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December 2023: New annual Downtown Cleanliness Contract approved

Link to meeting recording

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October 2023: Homelessness Learning Series launch

Link to information

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October 2023: Public safety update to City Council

Link to recording

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October 2023: Community Responder pilot program update

Link to Staff Report

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September 2023: Quarter 2 update on Roadside Litter Collection

Link to Quarter 2 data

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July 2023: Transition from pilot initiative to ongoing effort

Link to Information on Continued Services

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July 2023: Update on continued services to Downtown Commission

Link to recording

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June 2023: Public safety update to City Council's Environment and Safety Committee

Link to recording

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June 2023: Public safety update to Downtown Commission

Link to recording

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May 2023: Public safety update to City Council's Environment and Safety Committee

Link to recording

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May 2023: Update to Downtown Commission

Link to recording

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May 2023: City staff participate in downtown clean-up supported by Asheville Greenworks

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May 2023: Downtown Safety Initiative begins

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January 2023: Partnership with Buncombe County Sheriff's Office to implement real-time camera system

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October 2022: Meal sharing guidance for public property

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August 2022: APD pay enhancements to improve recruitment and retention

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May 2022: ARPA funding awarded for downtown public restroom enhancements

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December 2021: Contract with national recruiting firm to boost APD staffing

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December 2020: Downtown Cleanliness contract approved

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July 2020: Security presence established in downtown parks