Updates

Regular newsletter updates on targeted Downtown Cleaneliness and Safety efforts were sent between June 2023 and November 2024 and in June 2025. 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