08.08.2024

Today’s Forecast

79º | 70% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:44 a.m. | Sunset 8:26 p.m.

A Message From Our Team

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New life in old buildings

Adaptive reuse works to breathe new life into Asheville’s buildings

Aerial shot of the Flat Iron Building in downtown Asheville

The exterior of the Flat Iron was nearly untouched during the project. | Photo via The Indigo Road

New construction is a common sight in Asheville. Take a drive through nearly any part of town and you’ll see cranes and construction workers hovering around recently dug foundations and the bright wooden bones of unfinished buildings. But in the midst of all that, you’ll also see a different kind of creation as adaptive reuse projects write a new chapter of an old building’s story.

As a general architectural term, “adaptive reuse” merely means to reuse an existing building for a different purpose. Often, this will just take the form of something like a retail space becoming a restaurant. But in recent months, the concept has acquired more significance in Asheville, with several unusual adaptive reuse projects taking shape — namely, The Flat Iron Hotel and Cappadocia Church.

Given all the headline real estate these projects have occupied (ours included), it got us wondering what the process actually entails.

Red piano in the lobby of the Flat Iron Hotel — The interior of the Flat Iron, built in 1926, pays homage to its heyday.
|
Photo by Dony Dawson

Setting and meeting standards

Unsurprisingly, that’s a complicated question. Since adaptive reuse covers a lot construction-wise, the process and its requirements rely a lot on the project itself.

According to Chris Collins, the City of Asheville’s assistant director of planning and urban design, all building projects go through varying levels of review, based on their size and complications. And adaptive reuse is no different. The new project just has to meet all of the zoning standards and building regulations set out by the city and the county. At level one, city staff reviews your plans and makes sure you meet requirements with no formal meetings.

Adaptive reuse projects can muddle that quickly, though. “When you take an existing building and reuse it,” says Collins, “it’s a lot harder to meet all those zoning standards for the site that are easier to meet when you’re putting up a new building.”

Sometimes your plan can just be adjusted. Sometimes it can’t — and the reviews level up.

But a local preservationist says it’s still worth it to reuse an old building (you can find out why below).

Reuses finally realized

Events

Thursday, Aug. 8

Puppet Paradise | Thursday, Aug. 8-Sunday, Aug. 11 | 2-9 p.m. | Warren Wilson College | $5-$15 | See creative and innovative puppeteers come together for zany shows and informative workshops.
Wine Not?! | Thursday, Aug. 8 | 6-8 p.m. | Lookout Brewing Company, Black Mountain | $30 | Sip on five seasonal glasses and learn about what makes them special from host Taylor Goodale.

Friday, Aug. 9

Dungeons and Dragons | Friday, Aug. 9 | 4-6 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library | Free, RSVP | Bring your tweens to embark on an adventure — email to sign up.
Single’s Mix Ride | Friday, Aug. 9 | 6-8 p.m. | Rice Pinnacle Trailhead | Free | Mix, mingle, and ride with other local singles, whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or new to the trails.
“Henry V” | Friday, Aug. 9-Sunday, Aug. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre | Free | Take a seat for thrilling battles, international struggle, and regal transformation in one of Shakespeare’s most beloved histories.

Saturday, Aug. 10

2nd Annual Appalachian Mountain Health Fair | Saturday, Aug. 10 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Appalachian Mountain Health - Asheville | Free | Learn about your health + wellness with workshops, giveaways, food, and a live DJ.
Meowgical Voter Registration | Saturday, Aug. 10-Saturday, Oct. 5 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | House of Black Cat Magic | Free | Get help with the paperwork to make sure you’re registered or update your registration, then join the kittens in the cat lounge.
An Evening Soirée | Saturday, Aug. 10 | 7-10 p.m. | The Foundry Hotel | $44 | Travel back in time for a night of music, games, dancing, live artists, and Bridgerton-inspired food.

Sunday, Aug. 11

Sticky Sweet | Sunday, Aug. 11 | 5-8:30 p.m. | Location TBA | $45-$90 | Pay homage to big hair rock + roll with a six-course tasting menu and an (optional) costume contest from The Blind Pig Supper Club.
Comedy for Community | Sunday, Aug. 11 | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $21-$27 | Support local nonprofits with your laughs — the organizations will be on hand to share info about their missions.

Thursday is the new Friday

Click here to have your event featured.

Asked

What vibe do you look for in your daytime activities?

A. Laid-back and low-key
B. Active and outdoorsy
C. Energetic and exciting
D. Fun and family-friendly

Tell us about your after-dark interests, too

News Notes

Announced

Pour yourself a cup of ambition because Switchyards, the members-only coworking club, has announced its Asheville location. The 24/7 space opens to members (only 250, by the way) on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 217 Coxe Ave. Sign up for alerts when early access memberships drop on Thursday, Sept. 12.

Open

If you woke up and smelled the coffee, that might be because Dripolator’s East Asheville location is officially open. The swanky shop at 811 Tunnel Rd. started brewing first thing this morning, and you can stop by for a cup from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Civic

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners heard a presentation on the potential uses for the Asheville Primary School site, with the best fits identified as either a regional EMS base or a library. It was also determined that the Hall Fletcher Elementary School site was most suitable for a pre-K facility.

Drink

School’s in session. Today, Aug. 8, Wicked Weed Brewing is hosting a special Beers that Build release to benefit teacher grants through the Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools foundations. From now through the end of the month, $1 for every Saved By The Pale pour will go toward the grants.

Arts

The Community Mural Project is leaving a mark on the Southside neighborhood. On Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11, artists, kids, and the community will come together to create a mural on the basketball court at Walton Street Park. Grab your paintbrush or just stop by to see the fun.

Film

Environmental nonprofit MountainTrue is hosting the Asheville screening of the Paddling Film Festival World Tour to raise funds for its French Broad Riverkeeper program. On Thursday, Aug. 22, dip your toe in the adventurous waters of paddling films, then learn about the work and join a gear raffle.

Try This

Looking for an extra-cozy fall hobby? Calligraphy, cooking, clay, and crochet are just a few of the 50+ weekend and week-long classes at the John C. Campbell Folk School. See what skills you could learn.*

Older Adults

What’s on the horizon? Retirees can dive into volunteering with AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP. Put your skills to work, brighten lives, and enjoy the perks of staying active — physically, mentally, and socially — by giving back to our community. Help neighbors with grocery shopping or provide companionship to those in need.*

Travel

Psst. Want to fly out of Asheville Regional Airport for less? It’s Going’s annual birthday sale — get 40% off a Premium membership and get notified about amazing flight deals all year long (like $166 to Cancun).*

Civic

Short-term rentals get their own committee

Buncombe County moves forward with an Ad Hoc Short-Term Rental Committee

Asheville mountains from a rooftop downtown

The Board of Commissioners hopes to reach an STR resolution. | Photo by @gregfigs

This week, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners officially established an Ad Hoc Short-Term Rental Committee. The STR discussion has been living in local heads rent-free (perhaps ironically) for a while, so let’s look at what’s to come for the committee.

First, the backstory. The Planning Board’s vote on proposed STR amendments was deferred back in April for further exploration of public input. When progress wasn’t made, though, the commissioners put forth a resolution highlighting a renewed focus on the regulations through the establishment of this committee.

Out of 112 member applications, 15 have been chosen for interviews, which will be open to the public. The committee will consist of seven to 11 members, including Nancy Waldrop and Kenneth Kahn of the Planning Board.

Between September and October, the committee will evaluate STR regulations and identify policy implications, then by November, provide their feedback + recommendations to the Planning Board — which will present its recommendations to the commissioners for implementation.

The Buy

The Buy 8.08.24 (Affiliate)

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More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

This section of the newsletter is a biscuit stan account until further notice. Okay, perhaps I won’t go that far, but I am dropping in with another biscuit-related broadcast — ButterPunk is hosting its next pop-up at Bad Manners Coffee this Sunday, Aug. 11. It’ll start at 9 a.m. and continue until 12 p.m. (or, more likely, until it’s all sold out). If you just can’t wait for the brick and mortar this fall, this is the time to satisfy your sammie, hand pie, and dessert cravings.

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