Boosting the Block
Boosting the Block
The Block is downtown Asheville's historically 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 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.
Ujamaa Marketplace - May 2
Visit S. Market Street on the First Saturday of the month through May to experience a newly launched market - bringing elements of the Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan to life, and advancing the Boosting the Block project.
The Ujamaa Market is part of a series of activations to amplify the identity, culture and history of The Block, and support a cultural corridor on S. Market Street.
For more details, visit Explore Asheville.
Juneteenth Celebration
Details to be announced!
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.
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 and neighborhood anchors 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.
The Eagle and Market Street Enhancements project will implement the physical design and construction elements of Boosting The Block, while leveraging additional investments to enhance the overall pedestrian experience in and around The Block in ways that align with the community’s vision. Find more information about the Eagle and Market Street Enhancements capital project here.
News and Updates
2026 Updates
Mar 2026 | Monthly Stakeholder Update
Feb 2026 | Monthly Stakeholder Update
Jan 2026 | Monthly Stakeholder Update
2025 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
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
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
Ujamaa Marketplace - April 4
Visit S. Market Street on the First Saturday of the month through May to experience a newly launched market - bringing elements of the Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan to life, and advancing the Boosting the Block project.
The Ujamaa Market is part of a series of activations to amplify the identity, culture and history of The Block, and support a cultural corridor on S. Market Street.
For more details, visit Explore Asheville.
Ujamaa Marketplace - March 7
Visit S. Market Street on the First Saturday of the month starting this weekend to experience a newly launched market - bringing elements of the Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan to life, and advancing the Boosting the Block project.
The Ujamaa Market is part of a series of activations to amplify the identity, culture and history of The Block, and support a cultural corridor on S. Market Street.
For more details, visit Explore Asheville.