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City picks site for potential arts venue
The 2.43-acre property sits alongside City Hall. | Screenshot via City of Asheville
During Tuesday’s City Council work session, Asheville’s Director of Community and Regional Facilities, Chris Corl, shared the latest on potential plans to build a new performing arts facility on city-owned property downtown.
Now, the 2.43-acre tract known as “Parkside,” adjacent to Pack Square Park on Marjorie Street and just steps from The Block, has been identified as the target site for the mixed-use development, including a 2,500-seat performing arts center, and potentially a parking garage and public safety station. The site was chosen primarily for its walkability to hotels, retail, and restaurants, per ATG’s request.
Sound familiar?
It’s because it is. In 2006, the city acquired the land and evaluated opening a performance hall on the property within a mixed-use development.
All courses take place on Warren Wilson’s campus tucked in the mountains just 12 minutes outside of Asheville, with limited on-campus lodging available.
Locals weighed in on a $26.4 million budget gap during Tuesday’s city council meeting, now smaller than earlier estimates. Officials say closing it will require new revenue, including taxes. Some speakers urged protecting key priorities like living wages and transit improvements, while others warned the shortfall reflects a deeper structural deficit. (Blue Ridge Public Radio)
Community
More than 13,000 Buncombe County residents have cast their ballots during early voting for the 2026 primary election. Early voting ends this Saturday, Feb. 28 — find your sample ballot and a polling place convenient to you with our election guide. (WLOS)
Eat
James Beard Award-nominated Chef Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farm is teaming up with Sierra Nevada’s resident Chef Jessie Massie for a beer dinner all about NC ingredients. You might want to jump on this — Montgomery’s dinners are a hot ticket. Browse the menu beforehand.
Transit
The city will apply for a $585,000 grant from the USDOT to study multimodal transportation and ADA improvements along Hilliard Avenue, from Clingman to Biltmore Avenues. According to crash data from 2015 to 2024, the corridor ranks as one of the most unsafe in WNC, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Traffic
City officials are warning drivers to be aware of parking meter scams involving QR code stickers. Staff have removed the stickers, but it’s important to know that the city does not ever use QR codes for parking meters. If you see one, here’s how to report it.
Active
Hiking, fly fishing, birding, and running. As the weather warms up, you can do all these activities and more through Asheville Parks and Recreation. See what recreation opportunities are in store for spring.
If you’re reaching for fewer sodas or cocktails, Bruusta gives you a fizzy option on tap in your fridge: fresh, low-sugar kombucha, brewed at home with almost no effort. Join the flexible Brew Plan and get 50% off to start your wellness-minded beverage journey.*
The Buy
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A teeny bit of good news for you. Crusco has officially made "’tini / ’cini” a recurring event. Each Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 5 to 6 p.m., sip on a tiny martini and snack on inventive arancini for $10. This week’s ‘cini flavor is pho-insipired and I must try.
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