Good news for greenways. Asheville plans to expand its greenway system in 2021. Two new additions to the system are in the works – the Swannanoa River Greenway and the Nasty Branch Greenway (formerly known as the Town Branch Greenway – more on the name below).
Nasty Branch Greenway Total length: 3/4 mile Location: Asheville’s Southside neighborhood. The greenway will begin at the Grant Southside Center on Depot + Livingston St. and will end at Phifer St. near the intersection of McDowell St. and Southside Ave. Timeframe: Construction should begin in the spring. DYK: This greenway will feature interpretative signage about the devastating effects of urban renewalin the 1960s and ‘70s, which resulted in the razing of significant portions of this historically African-American community. The name“Nasty Branch”referred to the creek that flowed through the neighborhood, which was then (and still is) cited as a sanitation hazard but also provided important community connection in the neighborhood.
A section of the Swannanoa River Greenway | Map courtesy of the City of Asheville
Swannanoa River Greenway Phase One of greenway construction is scheduled to begin this year. Total length: 7.5 miles (Phase One will be 1 mile) Location: The greenway begins at Amboy Rd. and follows the Swannanoa River to Azalea Park. The greenway ends at the intersection of Azalea Rd. and Tunnel Rd. In this phase, construction will take place from the intersection of Glendale Ave. and Thompson St. to the intersection of Bleachery Rd. and Swannanoa River Rd. Timeframe: Construction should begin in late 2021/early 2022. DYK: This will be East Asheville’s first greenway, and will be part of the Wilma Dykeman Plan(a.k.a. the oldest greenway plan from the city + county).
And,the city is looking for your feedback on the greenway plan (along with the ADA transition plan + pedestrian plan). The feedback process and end result, also called Close the GAP, brings together all three plans to create a more integrated network that will address them simultaneously. Two surveys – on theADA Transition Plan survey + Close the GAP– are now open for public comment.
Want to keep up with the latest greenway news? Check out this interactive greenway map to see which greenways are finished, in process, or planned.The city’s Greenway Committee isn’t currently meeting due to the pandemic, but ordinarily meets the first Thurs. of every month at 3:30 p.m.
Pass the green news on by clicking the buttons below.👇
Coronavirus ○ Check out the latest COVID-19 statsfor NC from the Department of Health and Human Services here. As of Thursday afternoon, 10,265 cases and 173 deaths have been reported in Buncombe County. ○ As of Wednesday, a COVID-19 cluster at the Buncombe County Detention Facility continues is up to 35 cases. Currently, 11 detention officers + two detainees are positive for COVID-19. Buncombe County Health and Human Services is working with the facility to ensure the following of public health protocols during isolation, quarantine + case investigation. (WLOS)
Edu ○ Classes at Haywood County Schools were cancelled yesterday due to an internet outage caused by an off-campus fire. The fire caused fiber damage resulting in the loss of internet service in HCS schools. The school system is currently in communication with the internet provider to determine when the repairs will be made. 🖥 (WLOS)
Civic ○ By June or July, lanes on a section of Interstate 26 from Airport Rd. to Brevard Rd. The Asheville Outlets Exit will shift onto newly constructed asphalt as the current operating lanes are ripped out + rebuilt. The shift will affect about seven miles of the interstate. 🚧 (WLOS) ○ The City of Asheville is asking area residents to complete a survey on the effectiveness of city government. The National Citizen Survey aims to capture residents’ opinions on governance + participation. Specific issues, such as the built environment, community engagement, recreation, wellness, the economy, and safety + mobility, are also included. The survey is open until Jan. 21 + is available in English, Spanish + Russian. 📝 ○ Two finalists are in the running to be Hendersonville’s chief of police. Blair Myhand, the chief of police in Clayton (near Raleigh), is currently on non-disciplinary administrative leave. Gerald Childress was formerly the deputy chief of police in Mooresville (near Charlotte), but was demoted to a patrol officer. Neither candidate has been accused of illegal or unethical activity. A hiring decision will be made by Jan. 15. 🚓(Blue Ridge Now)
Arts ○ Multi-stage passes ($65 or $30) are now on sale for this year’s Asheville Fringe Arts Festival, happening Jan. 20-24. This year’s fest will be mostly virtual and will include performances, art installations, films + random acts of fringe. Bonus: Special events include workshops, a night of dance films, a poetry cabaret + more. A kick-off party happens this Sun. at 7 p.m. 👁
WaterCooler ○ The Carolina Panthers have interviewed 11 candidates so far for the role of the team’s general manager. The diverse list of candidates include the Buffalo Bills’ Assistant General Manager Joe Schoen, former New York Giants’ General Manager Jerry Reese, and the Cleveland Browns’ VP of Football Operations Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. 🏈
Number ○ 27.NC’s total state designated historic sites. A new project, Singing on the Land, pairs each site with an acoustic performance + video showcasing the area and its history. The project is aligned with the state’s True Inclusioninitiative, which launched in 2018 and aims to include the full spectrum of stories + experiences of cultural history in NC. 🎵 (Coastal Review Online)
Downtown Asheville’s newest addition: a parklet (a.k.a. a sidewalk extension that provides additional space to shoppers + passers-by) co-created by the Center for Craft and members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Named “The Basket,” the parklet’s design will reference Cherokee basketry, as well as the Cherokee language, traditions + culture.
DYK: Downtown Asheville (and much of the area) was built on the ancestral lands of the Anikituwahgi (now known as the Cherokee).
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#MUSTDO
TheBuy ○ Vintage Pop Up| Fri., Jan. 8-Sun., Jan. 10 | 12-7 p.m. | Asheville Beauty Academy, 28B Broadway St. | Free entry | Shop for treasures from the Booth Fairy’s Traveling Trunk Show. Clothes $5-$15. 👗
Outdoors ○Cabin Fever Defeater Series| Fri., Jan. 8 | 12-4 p.m. | Black Mountain Recreation, 304 Black Mountain Ave. | $12 | Go on a local hike + beat the winter boredom. ⛰️
Networking ○ Free Coworking Friday | Fri., Jan. 8| 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Focal Point Coworking, 125 S. Lexington Ave. Suite 101 | Free | Enjoy a clean workstation, high-speed Wi-Fi, coffee & more. RSVP via Facebook. 💼
Wellness ○Mindfulness Now: Meditation for All Moments| Fri., Jan. 8 | 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Asheville Community Yoga, 8 Brookdale Rd. | Donation | Learn mindfulness skills in a peaceful + supportive environment. Beginners welcome. 🧘
Saturday ○ Asheville Winter Grass| Sat., Jan. 9 | 3-8 p.m. | One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd. | $20 | Songs From The Road Band + special guest Steve “Big Daddy” McMurry of Acoustic Syndicate bring an afternoon of bluegrass. 🎻
Sunday ○ Fringe Preview Party| Sun., Jan. 10 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Excited for Fringe Fest? Catch a sneak peek of the event, movie trailers + get festival announcements. 🎞️ ○ Charcuterie Night| Sun., Jan. 10 | 1-5 p.m. | Archetype Brewing Tap Lounge + Venue, 174 Broadway St. | $20 | Includes two draft pours + charcuterie for your evening. 🧀 ○ Video Village Series- the Path to Directing/Producing| Sun., Jan. 10 | 3-6 p.m. | Virtual | Donations Accepted |The Asheville School of Film is hosting three Hollywood Industry Professionals for a Q+A style webinar. 🎥
Find more of this week’s local events in our January PlanAhead.
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
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