entrance to linwood crump shiloh community center

 

Happening Now

Following a competitive bid process, a qualified candidate has been identified to provide design services and construction oversight. Design will start once the contract is finalized and last through late 2027 with construction anticipated to begin in early 2028 and last 12 months.

Background

Shiloh Elementary School opened in 1927 as part of the Rosenwald school building program, serving African American families from Shiloh, Rock Hill, Brooklyn, Arden, Fletcher, and other nearby communities through eighth grade. Following desegregation of Buncombe County Schools, Shiloh graduated its last class in 1969.

Following successful conversions of Burton Street, Livingston Street, and Stephens-Lee schools, Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) opened Shiloh Recreation Center in 1980. After sitting vacant for a decade, the original Rosenwald wing was demolished. A 1952 expansion remains as part of the current community center. The center was renamed Linwood Crump Shiloh Recreation Center in 2006 to honor a strong community activist and advocate for the children of Shiloh.

In 2022, the City of Asheville completed a major renovation that updated much of the outdoor space with a new playground, outdoor fitness equipment, repaved walking trail, new basketball court, improved ballfield drainage, and more. The indoor gym and fitness center were also renovated and solar panels added to the building’s roof.

Over the years, Crump Shiloh Center has become an integral part of the neighborhood's cultural and social fabric, with many community services provided at the center in addition to APR programs. During construction, APR may relocate programs and activities to an alternate location.

Recognizing the significance legacy of the community center, historical commemoration will blend with updated amenities to continue its legacy for modern use and future generations.

Opportunities for Input

Feedback opportunities will be announced once a design contract is finalized. Subscribe for updates to be the first to know about these opportunities.

Useful Links

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Project Prioritization

City of Asheville projects are evaluated and prioritized based upon many criteria including public safety, economic growth and sustainability, affordable housing and community development, quality of life, and availability of funding sources, among others. Community center improvements were identified as a priority in the Recreate Asheville 10-Year Plan.

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Determine Funding Sources

Asheville voters overwhelmingly approved a general obligation (GO) bond referendum in 2024 allocating up to $20 million for parks and recreation improvements throughout the city. A portion of the funds will be used for improvements to Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center.

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Fall 2026-Spring 2027: Community Engagement and Visioning

Community members, City of Asheville staff, and design professionals work together to define expectations and develop a realistic vision for the building and programming. Public feedback, cost estimation, building codes, and many other factors influence the final decision.

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Spring 2027-Fall 2027: Project Design

Project managers translate community engagement and visioning into a design that incorporates environmental compliance, building codes, cost estimation and other requirements. The goal is to reflect the community’s views in balance with feasibility.

This is the most technical phase and may include complexities such as utility relocation, permitting, cost estimation, and multiple levels of review, which can cause setbacks to the original timeline.

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2028: Project Construction

With a completed design, the City of Asheville advertises and selects a construction firm. Once the construction contract is approved by City Council, construction can begin!

City staff stay in touch with community members about what to expect throughout construction. Projects often experience delays during the construction phase due to weather, unexpected discoveries, or supply chain and labor shortages.

During construction, Asheville Parks & Recreation may relocate programs, activities, and festivals to an alternate location.

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2029: Project Completion

Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center reopens.

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Ongoing: Maintenance and Operation

The City of Asheville executes a maintenance and operation plan to protect this new community asset for years to come.

Contact Information

Pete Wall, Assistant Director

Asheville Parks & Recreation

pwall@ashevillenc.gov

(828) 259-5800