Share your input by Thursday, April 3. | Photo via City of Asheville
This week, the City of Asheville released its Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBR-DR) Draft Action Plan, breaking down how it will spend $225 million in federal recovery funding. Here’s what’s included in the plan and how you can share your feedback before the final plan is approved.
First, some background...
In a January visit, Gov. Stein and Secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Adrianne Todman announced $1.65 billion toward Helene recovery through CDBG-DR awards. Of that sum, $225 million was allocated to the City of Asheville. For Buncombe County residents outside of the city limits, you can view the state’s action plan.
Through February, residents shared feedback on recovery needs, which informed the draft action plan.
What’s included?
In the plan’s first draft, the largest piece of the pie, $130 million, is allocated for infrastructure, followed by $50 million for economic revitalization and $29 million for housing. The remainder of the funds are categorized as public services. Find the full plan to dive deeper into each section.
Ingles Socon Basketball Championship | Friday, March 7-Monday, March 10 | Times vary | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | $250+ | Follow the NCAA Final Four from the very start and cheer on your team from the stands.
Resurrection Studios Collective Grand Opening | 5-10 p.m. | Resurrection Studios Collective | Free | Explore the new studio space in the former Moog building with live music and drinks from DayTrip.
Art After Dark Market | 7-9 p.m. | rEvolve buy-sell-trade | Free | Browse art from seven local makers, vibe to good music, sip on a beverage, and capture the moment in a live photo booth.
Saturday, March 8
One Year Anniversary Celebration | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Alchemy Yoga & Reiki | Free | Celebrate the first year of this yoga and wellness studio with free classes, local vendors, and raffle prizes.
Kid Hop Hooray | 10 a.m. | The Orange Peel | $3+ | The whole fam can get down to music from DJ Oso Rey and enjoy treats from The Hop.
Dance Day | 12-5 p.m. | Asheville Mall | Free | Mall R.A.T.S (Radical Artists Taking Up Space) will host the immersive showcase, featuring performances from local dance schools — plus, learn about workshops and camps.
Community Seed Swap | 3-7 p.m. | Honey & the Hive, Weaverville | Free | Drop in to share seeds, tea, and conversation with other gardeners.
Sunday, March 9
WoodSongs Free Instrument Giveaway | 2-6 p.m. | Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa | Free | If you or someone you know lost an instrument in the storm, they can receive a free, refurbished one thanks to Warren Wilson College and Michael Johnathon.
Bonsai Demo: Resurrection of the Chase Grove | 2:30-4:30 p.m. | The North Carolina Arboretum | $17 | Watch as bonsai curator Arthur Joura rebuilds a large, popular bonsai display in a new container.
Ditch the textbooks for canoeing, hiking + firsthand ecological learning. | Photo: UNC Asheville
Calling all young scientists. Spend a week in your element this June — without sacrificing your summer for a classroom.
UNC Asheville’s pre-college programs offer week-long dives into various scientific disciplines, all with the rich Southern Appalachia landscape as a campus. Students will experience college-level concepts, hands-on career exploration, and a slice of campus life with residence hall living.
Rising high school sophomores, juniors + seniors can register for programs like:
To honor International Women’s Day tomorrow, March 8, a Women’s March will be held at 11 a.m. at Pack Square Park. After the march, explore more events like The Whale’s Women’s Day Market and honor local leaders with the Junior League of Asheville.
Arts
ArtsAVL announced the eight nonprofit recipients of the City of Asheville’s event support grants, totaling $77,546. See the festivals getting funds, including the YMI Cultural Center’s Goombay Festival. Reminder: The next phase of ArtsAVL’s Arts Business Relief Grant is open — arts businesses should apply by Friday, March 14.
Regional
Have you applied for FEMA Disaster Assistance? Tomorrow, March 8, is the last day to apply. Apply online, in person at Weaverville Town Hall or Fairview Public Library, or by calling 1-800-621-3362. The deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance is Monday, March 10.
euda wine is reopening in Old Fort tomorrow, March 8. The winery sustained significant flooding damage, but the crew will be back to popping bottles and serving pours beginning at noon.
Small Biz
We’re gearing up for Small Business Week, a celebration of local enterprises from Sunday, May 4 to Saturday, May 10. If you own a local small business, let us highlight you by filling out this form by Sunday, March 16.
Calling all business owners. For a limited time, we’re offering 15% off your first advertising purchase on our self-service ad portal. No long-term contract required — simply use the code NEW15 at checkout to redeem the discount.
Try This
The Asheville Mule — a delicious blend of citrus, ginger, and raising money for Asheville’s hospitality industry. Kick your weekend off at The Lobster Trap to sip + support.*
Outdoors
Psst, gardeners — start this year’s garden off right with this seed starter tray, with built-in handles to transplant seedlings straight into the ground come planting time.*
Category
Development
Coxe Avenue project progresses
The plan would help the County reach its 2030 goal of 1,800 units of affordable housing. | Screenshot via Buncombe County
At its Tuesday, March 4 briefing, Buncombe County Commissioners heard an update on the Coxe Avenue affordable housing project, which will create 206 units of affordable housing on county-owned property at 50-52 Coxe Ave.
Of the nine developers who submitted proposals, county staff have recommended the Raleigh-based firm, Harmony Housing Affordable Development, as partner — commissioners will vote on entering an unofficial partnership agreement with the developer on Tuesday, March 18.
206 units (mixture of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units)
100% affordable with a majority of units for households making at or below 60% AMI
A ground floor of commercial space
The project is estimated to cost $74.5 million, with the county committing $9.8 million. The current proposed timeline estimates groundbreaking by early 2027 and completion by early 2029.
The right pet insurance to offset rising veterinary costs. Clinics are increasingly focused on revenue — and some vets are encouraged to squeeze in more appointments, recommend extra tests, and upsell services. The result? Higher vet bills for you. View Money’s top pet insurance picks to see plans starting at only $10 per month.
I’m putting a must-see show on your radar this morning. Scott McMicken and THE EVER-EXPANDING will take the stage at Eulogy on Thursday, April 10 with Doc Aquatic and Julie Odell. Grab tickets before it sells out.