Boosting the Block
Boosting the Block
The Block is downtown Asheville's historic Black business and cultural district. Boosting the Block is a community-driven project with three main goals:
- Design and build a new physical gateway to this beloved neighborhood and support The Block (S. Market Street in particular) as a cultural district
- Invest in community capacity building
- Amplify the history of The Block
This 3-year project kicked off in Summer 2024. A community facilitator team is supporting the project throughout its entirety. Opportunities for community engagement will happen throughout the project. If you would like to receive updates on Boosting the Block, please subscribe below.
About Boosting The Block
The Boosting The Block project (BTB) is one of three projects funded by a $3,000,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation’s Monuments Project, awarded to the City of Asheville in 2023. BTB will include enhancements to the physical and cultural landscape of The Block, while amplifying a more truthful, culturally relevant narrative about the past, present, and future of the historically Black business district and community. This work aligns with the Pack Square Vision Plan and is also inspired by feedback, planning, and brainstorming by the City and community members over the past several years.
By early 2027, the following outcomes are expected from BTB:
Development of a physical gateway and cultural corridor between Pack Square and The Block via South Market Street.
Increased capacity of The Block Collaborative to collectively shape and significantly influence its future, including hosting special events and festivals that preserve the area's legacy and cultural heritage.
Enhanced public spaces in alignment with the community’s vision and in a way that authentically narrates the past, present, and future of The Block.
Consensus and implementation of neighborhood identity and marketing.
News and Updates
Oct-Nov 2025 | Monthly Stakeholder Update
Sept 2025 | Monthly Stakeholder Update
Aug 2025 | Monthly Stakeholder Update
July 2025 | Monthly Stakeholder Update
June 2025 | Monthly Stakeholder Update
April 2025 | Monthly Stakeholder Update
Call for Artist/ Creative Strategist
Community Vision Translation
Boosting the Block is seeking an Artist/Creative Strategists to help translate existing community input into clear, compelling visual concepts that will guide future design work for the Block, Asheville's historic Black business district.
We are inviting an independent artist, graphic designer, or creative strategist with experience in community-centered work to develop a cohesive visual package that reflects the community’s vision for a gateway and cultural corridor connecting Pack Square and The Block.
Key Details:
- Contract Duration: Approximately 3 months (January–March 2026)
- Compensation: Up to $5,000 (inclusive of labor, travel, and materials)
- Application Deadline: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST
- How to Apply: Submit a statement of interest, work samples, and a project budget via email to admin@bennettwestonconsulting.com
For full details, including scope of work, evaluation criteria, and submission requirements, please review the complete RFP here:
Boosting the Block Artist/Creative Strategist RFP
Questions may be submitted to admin@bennettwestonconsulting.com by Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Responses will be posted on the project’s PublicInput page by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
If you’d like to offer your thoughts and perspectives, we invite you to participate in our online survey below.
We invite you to subscribe in order to receive regular updates and announcements about engagement events.
Contact Information
Dana Frankel - Project Manager
Dr. Margaret Brunson - Community Facilitator
Brittany Bennett Weston - Community Facilitator
Please take a few minutes to respond to the questions below. Your responses will help shape the community vision and physical enhancements for The Block.