an assessment of what asheville is
AVL ?
AVL_? an exploration of what asheville is
_History_Climate_Endangered.Species_Glocal_Tourism_Locals_Festivals_Travel_ Street.Culture_ _Informality_Demographics_Population_Religion_Crime_Politics_
This book was created as part of an intensive study of what is Asheville during Doug Hecker’s senior studio at Clemson University
Authors: Nathan Bailey Julie Conard Gabrielle Conlon Rebecca Cook Caroline Czajkowski Nicole Dallaire Joel Dixon Lauren Kenner Lauren Martinez Katie McCraw Matt O’ Nan Christian Piansay Ellis Taylor Henry Wilkinson
Editors: Gabrielle Conlon Joel Dixon Lauren Kenner Ellis Taylor
Climate Statistics from Asheville, NC 90 80
Temperatures / Relative Humidity
70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 JAN Wet Days (>0.004 in)
FEB
MAR Relative Humidity (%)
APR Precipitation (in)
MAY Average Wind Speed
250 and 450 million years ago the Appalachian Mountains were formed during the Paleozoic Era.
12,000 B.C. evidence of first humans living in Appalachia
JUN
Sun Chart
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2. 3.
1. Sun’s Path on June 21 2. Sun’s Path Today 3. Sun’s Path on December 21
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10 8 6
Precipitation / Wet Days / Wind Speed / Frost
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CLIMATE + SUN CHART
1.
4 2 0 JUL
AUG Average Temp (F)
SEP Max Temp (F)
1540 - Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto visits Western North Carolina.
1500’s-
OCT
NOV Average Sunlight Hours/Day
DEC Min Temp (F)
1643 - Early colonial trade were established with the Cherokees following existing trading paths, which crossed at the present location of Asheville.
The Cherokee were a settled, agricultural people living in villages consisting of 30 to 60 houses and a large council house.which crossed at the present location of Asheville.
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Endangered Species: Buncombe County vs. North Carolina vs. North America 500
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1793 - First School was opened on Union Hill by Robert Henry. Many students paid tuition with farm goods and livestock. 1880 - Telegraph line established across Swannanoa Gap to Old Fort. 1792 - January 14, the creation of Buncombe County. The county was named after Colonel Edward Buncombe’s fatal Revolutionary battle at Germantown in 1777.
ENDANGERED SPECIES 1881 - Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church created and led by Robert Rumley for the African American community. 1881 - Western North Carolina Rail Road is completed to the now Biltmore Village.
1882 - Asheville Board of Trade established
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Think Global, Act Local.
1883 - First telephone exchange in Asheville.
1883 - First City Directory is printed for Asheville and population of Asheville is recorded as 3,874 (2,408 white and 1,466 colored). In three years the population increased by 48% (since the 1880 census).
1883 - Asheville to Spartanburg railroad is opened.
1883 - Asheville established the first public hospital.
GLOCALIZATION
While encouraging to those who work for independent regional businesses, the ‘Buy Local’ movement fails to recognize that Asheville is more than just an independent, free-thinking city: it is part of today’s global culture.
GLOBAL
Asheville can only get so far by itself, and sooner than later it will have to expand its “glocal” thinking. The glocal movement encourages city dwellers to tailor products and services to think on a bigger scale while keeping direct actions at a local level.
NATIONAL
LOCAL With an existing culture that emphasises local farming, sustainable practices, and the importance of research and development, the isolated North Carolina city can support the local economy, culture, and independence without sacraficing the important relationship that it holds with the rest of the world.
1884 - Land for the establishment of Public Square, later Pack Square, given by lumberman G.W. Pack. Additional land was donated by him for construction of Aston Park and Montford Park. 1884 - Reservoir is completed just north of the end of the current Beaucatcher Tunnel, for Asheville’s first public water system
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Tourism Map
This is a traditional tourist map found on brochures showing where the places the tourism board wants you to visit.
Restaurants Shopping Civic Buildings Hotels
1887 - First electric street car line is laid in Asheville. It ran from Public Square (Pack Square) via South Main and then Southside to the passenger depot near the French Broad River.
1888 - Second set of Sanborne Maps are drawn and Asheville’s sewer system is laid.
1888 - January 16. The first public schools open for grades 1- 5 with 450 white students and 380 African American students.
Unofficial Local Map
TOURISM This map, of the same are, has yellow added by Morgan, a local Ashevillian. These circels indicate places that may be slightly disrepatable and are unrecognized by the tourism board but are still great to experience. This is a list of the adresses corresponding to the yellow dots that the local drew on the map.
1793 - John Burton laid out 42 lots of 1/2 acre each along ’main street’ in Asheville, now called Biltmore and Broadway. 1795 – Asheville’s name changed from Morristown in honor of Governor Samuel Ashe.
1889 - Board of Trade formed to promote Asheville’s modernization. Western North Carolina Bank is established in Asheville.
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Road Closings and Posters
A large part of tourism in Asheville are the numerous festivals that take place year round. They can draw people from as far away as Miami, Florida, to New York City, New York and even further. One can see an example of the variety of events that will take place in Asheville, ranging from Film Festivals, to Music by the multiple posters that are placed around the city. Depending on which festival is happening, it could draw a couple tourists who just happen to be in Asheville that day(Organic Fest, Heritage Crafts Fair), to hundreds of people who plan for the festival months in advance(Bele Chere, LEAF).
1840 - According to the census Asheville’s total population was 600 and of those, 240 were slaves. 1840 - Joshua Roberts a local lawyer in Asheville founded The Highland Messenger, one of the first local newspapers. 1828 - The Buncombe Turnpike, between Greeneville, TN and Greenville, SC, was completed after four years.
FESTIVALS
MoogFest Bele Chere LAAFF
This map shows how some of Asheville’s festivals affect the
center of the city of Asheville itself. The lines on the map show where and how much the roads are closed to vehicular traffic. This greatly affects the circulation of downtown Asheville, and even cuts off some major thoroughfares of vehicular traffic, to improve the pedestrian traffic, sometimes inconveniencing the locals. A lot of the locals don’t enjoy some of the festivals and can’t wait until they’re over(Bele Chere) but they need the festivals to bring in tourists so that tourists will spend their money at the locals shops.
1795 – Asheville’s name changed from Morristown in honor of Governor Samuel Ashe. Asheville was also named Buncombe County seat. 1828 - The Buncombe Turnpike, between Greeneville, TN and Greenville, SC, was completed after four years. 1848 - Smith-McDowell House is built, possibly the first large family dwelling constructed of brick in Buncombe County.
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Centers of Attraction
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Birm Atla nta 5 .3 million Miami 5.6 mil lio n 1886 - The first recorded comprehensive map is created for downtown Asheville and the water-pumping station is built for the reservoir on the opposite side of Beaucatcher Mountain. 1886 - July 12, Col. Frank Coxe (1839-1903) opened the Old Battery Park Hotel. 1885 - First Sanborne Fire Map is drawn for Asheville and first public phone lines are begun to be hung in city.
Cities that are within a drivable distance of Asheville (up to 4 hours by car)
TOURISM
Atlanta, GA 188 miles Augusta, GA 170 miles Charlotte, NC 122 miles Winston-Salem, NC 146 miles Columbia, SC 153 miles Florence, SC 214 miles Gatlinburg, TN 71 miles Major cities that are within a “flyable� distance of Asheville
Birmingham, AL 331 miles Miami, FL 749 miles Albany, NY 813 miles New York City, NY 690 miles Cincinnati, OH 372 miles Memphis, TN 494 miles Richmond, VA 346 miles
1887 - Isaac Dickson was the first African American appointed to the school board demanding public education for African American children. 1887 - George Vanderbilt relocates and makes Asheville his new home. Creates Biltmore Estate.
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1840 - Joshua Roberts a local lawyer in Asheville founded The Highland Messenger, one of the first local newspapers. 1840 - According to the census Asheville’s total population was 600 and of those, 240 were slaves. 1848 - Smith-McDowell House is built, possibly the first large family dwelling constructed of brick in Buncombe County.
STREET CULTURE
1848 - Trescott House is built one mile east of Biltmore Avenue.
1850 - Sherrill’s Inn is built. The Inn is the earliest lodging for travelers into Buncombe County and western North Carolina.
1857 - Dr. Elisha Mitchell, naturalist and scholar, fell to his death while climbing Mt. Mitchell, the highest in the Appalachian Mountains. The mountain was named in his honor.
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1865 - April 6, the Battle of Asheville, a Civil War battle is fought. The local Silver Greys along with other confederate sympathizers forced Union General Kirby into retreat. 1862 - Asheville becomes a training center for Confederate soldiers. 1861 - Civil War erupts with strong secessionist feelings in both Asheville and Buncombe County.
STREET CULTURE 1865 - Upon Emancipation many African Americans moved further west towards Tennessee while others moved to Henderson County to establish their own community. 1868 - Asheville had a population of less than 1200 and was still recovering from the Civil War. 1865 - April 26. Civil War. Asheville was sacked by three regiments of Union forces despite her surrender to Union General Gillem on April 24.
1870 - A time of general isolation as bad roads and Civil War destruction cut Western North Carolina off from the rest of the state.
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Interlinking Relationships Between Individuals and Activity
1876 - Christian Reid published Land of the Sky (the current nick-name for Asheville) 1879 - Bank of Asheville is established 1880-1920 - The African American population of Asheville grew rapidly with all of the service industry jobs available as Coxe, Grove, and Vanderbilt opened tourist resorts and made Asheville the premiere health resort for the Victorian wealthy
RELATING STREET INFORMALITY
1880 - October 2, completion of the Western North Carolina Rail Road.
1889 - After his visit to Asheville in 1897-98, George W. Vanderbilt returns to Asheville and begins to purchase vast tracts of land on which to build an estate.
1889 - Asheville improves streets with electric rail cars. It becomes the first city in North Carolina to with an electric street car public transportation system.
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1890 - Asheville’s population now stands at 10,240 people. The number of students enrolled in school is counted at 580 white students and 520 African American students. 1890 - Asheville’s population now stands at 10,240 people. The number of students enrolled in school is counted at 580 white students and 520 African American students.
1890-1895 - Construction begins on the Biltmore Estate of George W. Vanderbilt.
CATALOGUE OF INFORMAL ACTIVITY
1890 - Rapid development in Asheville results in the establishment of suburbs and the rapid segregation of residential and commercial areas. 1902 - The first city auditorium called the Asheville Auditorium, opens its doors at the intersection of Haywood and Flint streets. A privately owned facility, it was built by popular subscription.
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September 16, 2011
Early Girl Eatery 8 Wall Street
1903 - The Asheville Auditorium burns following a performance of Sergeant Kitty. 1904 - The first Gymnasium for African American schools was built by John H. Michael. 1906 - Compulsory schooling made law for children ages 8- 14. 1904 - The Asheville Auditorium is rebuilt
D
P
WANDERING
The Satellite Gallery 55 Broadway Street
Ragtime Vintage Clothing 20 E Walnut Street
Clips of Faith/Lips of Faith Pack Square Park
Drum-Circle
Pritchard Park
1909 - The city assumes ownership of the Asheville Auditorium and the venue welcomes major entertainers over the next twenty year. 1906 - YWCA founded Asheville
1907 - William Sidney Porter (O. Henry) in Asheville (1907-08), eventually buried in Riverside Cemetery, Wrote Let Me Feel Your Pulse while here.
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Roaring 20s Along with the rest of the country during the 1920s, Asheville experienced a time of extreme growth and a feeling invincibility. population Asheville became known as the hub of Western North Carolina. During 28,000 this time the new Pack Memorial Library and City Hall were designed and built. These buildings are still part of the modern day skyline of Asheville. One of the reasons for the vast influx of population was that during this time, doctors would recommend Asheville as a healing and revitalizing retreat, especially for those with respiratory problems and tuberculosis.
1925 - The Great Gatsby, is published by F. Scott Fitzgerald in April of 1925 (Asheville mentioned as a resort town for Southerners and Fitzgerald spent the summer of 1953 there) 1925 - McCormick Field, Thirty-five acres of land cornering at the intersection of Valley Street and Biltmore Avenue, were purchased for development as a park and athletic field. 1927 - Buncombe County Jr. College created. 1927 - American ENKA Corporation comes to Hominy Valley. A Dutch company that specialized in the production of the new fiber 50,000 rayon, ENKA became the largest employer in Buncombe county. 1928 - Work on Beaucatcher Tunnel is completed.
1916 - The Great Flood destroyed much of the property along the French Broad River. The railroad Depot and Biltmore Village were particularly hard hit. Twenty-nine people died as a result of the flood. 1915 - Second Annual Convention of the Equal Suffrage Association of North Carolina Held at Battery Park Hotel Asheville, N. C. October, 29th,
1917 - Catholic Hill School, the first public school for Black children burned, killing seven children.
HISTORY
Great Depression 1930 - November, Collapse of the Central Bank and Trust Company and crash of Asheville’s economy. After bankruptcy was declared the city officials were faced with enormous debt 1930 - Mountain Dance and Folk Festival was launched as an independent event. 1930 - Economy begins a long and slow decline- remains for thirty years. 1931 - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was created. North Carolina purchased some 150,000 acres turned the land over to the US government. 1933 - Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was founded giving work to many young men on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway constructed, eventually making Asheville a prime tourist destination who’s reputation would be heard throughout the world. 1933 - Asheville Central Bank and Trust Company falters and finally fails. 1933 - Black Mountain College founded 1976 - that the city finally finished recuperation from effects of financial and psychological devastation and a bond burning celebration was held in front of City Hall. Buncombe County’s holdings did a nose-dive from nearly $180 million to $80 million dollars in a mere 6 years. Asheville had the highest per capita debt of any city in the country (approx.$54 million). City officials vowed to pay every single cent of the depression bonds that the city owed. 1917 - West Asheville annexed into Asheville. 1919 - ‘Overlook’, the home of Fred Seely is completed on Sunset Mountain. Also known as ‘Seely’s Castle,’ it later became the home for Asheville-Biltmore College, a precursor of UNC Asheville. 1920 - Lillian Exum Clement, a Buncombe County native, was elected to the North Carolina General Assembly. She was the first woman elected to the legislature in the South. Her election came just prior to the passage of the 19th Amendment.
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Who is Asheville?
DEMOGRAPHIC_PROFILE An Afternoon walk through the Traditional Downtown
Who is Asheville? An afternoon walk through the Traditional Downtown.
The Street Performer Met covering “I’ll Fly Away” and accepting donations for a day of peace in Pack Square. Also frequently in Pritchard Park, local festivals, and many street corners. Instrumental variety includes piccolo, upright piano, banjo, and harmonica. Organize in formalized bands or individual one-man enthusiasts.
The Retirees Spotted in Green Sage Coffeeshop and Malaprops Bookstore. Make up over 18% of the population. One of the “10 Best Places to Retire” according to US News & World Report.*
The Young Professional Seen taking a 7.2 minute lunch break at Pritchard Park, periodically checking his iPhone. There are 13,700 young professionals, ages 21 to 40, in Asheville.* YPasheville.org is a Chamber of Commerce organization created to attract and encourage young professionals in Asheville.
Major Employers include: Buncombe County Public Schools Mission Health System City of Asheville The Biltmore Company
Buncombe County Government Grove Park Inn Ingles Markets VA Medical Center
1923 - Lindley Training School for Girls was bought by the city in 1923 and later became part of Asheville’s first junior college.
DEMOGRAPHICS
The Artist If you don’t have cash they may give you their masterpiece as a gift. Ranked “Top Small City for Art” in American Style Magazine.* Make up 3.1% of the city’s industries.* Subjects range from chalk street art to Blue Ridge Mountain watercolors.
Families Entertained by 2 young sisters on a park bench as we both enjoyed street music. Families seen enjoying local festivals and congregrating in shopping areas. Family households make up 56% of the households in Asheville. **
“Asheville seems to be a very transient place. People move here and move away very frequently. I think the main type of people attracted to Asheville is the artist/free spirit/hippie. There's quite a culture here of acceptance and even glorification of being weird, as the popular bumper sticker reads, "Keep Asheville Weird". We're a pretty eco-friendly city as well. Lots of restaurants use produce and meats that are locally grown and/or organic. There's also a big draw for people who love the outdoors, but also like the amenities of a city because we're so close to nationally recognized mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, whitewater, etc. AND we have a 90,000 population city.” -Jen Knorr, native Ashevillian *www.ashevillechamber.org **clrsearch.com
1925 - McCormick Field, was purchased for development as a park and athletic field. 1925 - The Great Gatsby, is published by F. Scott Fitzgerald in April of 1925 (Asheville mentioned as a resort town for Southerners and Fitzgerald spent the summer of 1953 there)
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Total: 17,789 people
= 1617.5 people
38,723 females
56,775 caucasian
61,506 people above poverty level
1927 - Buncombe County Jr. College created.
POPULATION
34,065 males
12,811 african american
2,912 native american
6,557 asian
11,282 people below poverty level
1927 - American ENKA Corporation comes to Hominy Valley. ENKA became the largest employer in Buncombe county.
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what_is_religion
Southern Baptist 52% 1928 - Work on Beaucatcher Tunnel is completed.
RELIGION
United Methodist 14%
Presbyterian 8%
Catholic 8%
Other 11%
Episcopal 3%
7th Day Adventist 2%
Church of God 2%
1957 - Asheville-Hendersonville Airport is constructed through a bond initiative approved by the voters on May 4, 1957. Air transportation gives rise to new and greater number of visitors to area.
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WWII September 1, 1939- August 15,1945 World War II begins Sep 1, 1939 Germany invades Poland,WWII begins Jul 10 1940 The 'Battle of Britain' air campaign begins. Jul 18 1940 Churchill declares this is Britain's finest hour. Sep 27 1940 Japan joins the ‘axis’
Dec 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Jun 6 1944 D-Day. American, British, Canadian forces invade France at the beaches of Normandy May 8 1945 Germany surrenders. The war in Europe ends Aug 14 1945 Japan surrenders. World war 2 finally ends.
The impact of WWII on Asheville is seen in the conversion of the Grove Arcade to a Weather and Communication center for the Army Air Corps. The Grove Park Inn became a retention center for enemy nationals and later a rest and recuperation center for US navel officers. The Hot Springs was turned into a P.O.W. camp where German prisoners were detained. In town, Italian Diplomats were held at the Grove Park Inn until they were traded for American Diplomats that had been seized and held in parts of Germany and Italy,
The Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII, known as the ‘’WASP,’’ were the first women to fly American military aircraft and were stationed, for a large part, in Asheville, NC. They were the catalyst that allowed for the integration of women pilots into the armed services
HISTORY
The USS Asheville (PG-21) was a gunboat that served in the United States Navy during the early days of America's participation in World War II. Launched on 4 July 1918, she was sunk by Japanese forces on 3 March 1942, south of the island of Java, in what was then the Netherlands East Indies.
1925 - The Great Gatsby, is published by F. Scott Fitzgerald in April of 1925 (Asheville mentioned as a resort town for Southerners and Fitzgerald spent the summer of 1953 there) 1925 - McCormick Field, Thirty-five acres of land cornering at the intersection of Valley Street and Biltmore Avenue, were purchased for development as a park and athletic field. 1927 - Buncombe County Jr. College created. 1927 - American ENKA Corporation comes to Hominy Valley. A Dutch company that specialized in the production of the new fiber rayon, ENKA became the largest employer in Buncombe county. 1928 - Work on Beaucatcher Tunnel is completed.
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Asheville_Crime
Assault/Murder for year 2009
= 100 Offenses
Amherst, NY 2nd Safest City in the US
Population 110,399 205 Offences 0.19%
Asheville, NC Population 74,923
628 Offences 0.84%
Detroit, MI
2nd Most Dangerous City in the US Population 908,441 29,488 Offences 3.25%
1957 - Asheville-Hendersonville Airport is constructed through a bond 1959 - AB Tech created as a vocational center for adults. initiative approved by the voters on May 4 1957 - Black Mountain College is dissolved.
CRIME NC Amherst, NY Detroit, MI Asheville, Population 74,923 2nd Safest City in the US Robbery/Theft
2nd Most Dangerous City in the US Population 908,441 56,491 Offences 6.22%
1959 - AB Tech created as a vocational center for adults.
3,879 Offences 5.18%
Population 110,399 2,176 Offences 1.97%
for year 2009
= 100 Offenses
- Theseyears were years of controversy Asheville, as 1959-19721959-1972 - These were of controversy in inAsheville, integration laws were forced throughout the south. integration laws were forced throughout the south.
1959 - The Mountain Street renamedStreet the LucySchool Herringwas School in honor the of Lucy School in honor a 1959School - Thewas Mountain renamed LucyHerring Herring of Lucy Herring devoted African American teacher and community leader.
a devoted African American teacher and community leader.
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2002 Voter Polls
25
.9 %
In d e 43. p e n d e nt 2% M ale
c ati
0.6% Undesignated Gender
2 1.
7%
56.2% Fem ale 52.4% Dem ocr
Total Voters: 49,825 84.6% White 12.9% Black 1.5% Other 1% Undesignated
Rep
u blic a n
2008 Presidential Election Obama
McCain
Buncombe County 56.7% North Carolina United States
42.6%
49.9%
49.5%
53.4%
46.6%
1963 - Asheville-Buncombe Technical Institute (now A-B Tech College) was opened to provide industrial education and training for local area students. 1964 - National Civil Rights Act is passed.
54.4% Fema le 50.6% Dem ocr atic
1.5% Undesignated Gender
Re
ub
3 1.
%
2%
18.2
In d e p 4 4.1 e n d e n t %M ale
Total Voters: 62,667 82.5% White 12% Black 3.5% Other 2% Undesignated
POLITICS
2011 Voter Polls
p
li c a
n
Political Profile -Mountain liberalism -Progressive/self reliant -Leftist city in a traditionally right leaning region -First city on the East Coast to require sustainable, green LEED construction
1969 - Buncombe County Jr. College became the University of North Carolina at Asheville
1968- Blue Ridge Parkway was dedicated and the I-240 extension was completed.
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Community Center
1969 - City Council decides that the Civic Center plan is too expensive and vote to renovate the existing building and create an arena. 1970 - May 27 Voters narrowly reject a $2 million supplementary bond to cover the increased costs of a new Civic Center, 1970 - May 30 Mayor Wayne Montgomery vows that a sparse Civic Center will be built (no seats and no air conditioning). 1971 - December 14 Voters pass a $3 million dollar Civic Center bond by a margin of four to one 1971 - The contractor for the Civic Center project, Ranger Construction Co., files a $300,000 claim against the city. 1971 - Mayor Richard Wood signs an official policy statement for the City Council, which states: “The Civic Center has had a long and troubled history. The debate over its contents and location has been extensive Unfortunately, this delay and debate has been a very negative influence on the civic pride and cooperative spirit of our community.” 1974 - June 23, Civic Center opens its doors. 1975 - July 22-24, Elvis Presley plays three nights at the Asheville Civic Center. Today- the civic center is in severe disrepair and is becoming a liability for the city. It has been called an “insolvable problem” in some reports. There has been talk of renovations but those are now leaning more toward demolition and selling the property.
1981 - July, Buildings on Pack Square were torn down and the Akzona Building was constructed.
1971- Appalachian Trail is opened
Until 1977 - Asheville had no funds to invest in “urban renewal,” 1980s - Referendum to tear up downtown and put new convention centers and a mall from Biltmore to Lexington Avenue. This was a defining moment where the citizens of Asheville voted towards what would become a downtown preservation movement 1980s, - Downtown Asheville was largely vacant of businesses as suburban malls put the economic squeeze on the few shops that remained. Asheville’s nightlife was pretty much non-existent, and the restaurants, bars, pubs, bistros, and shops that abound today were nowhere to be seen. 1990s, - Downtown development began take form again, transforming metropolitan Asheville into the lively community that exists today. Where boarded up buildings stood devoid of life, fresh businesses began to take firm root and flourish. Asheville is consistently ranked high among the best places to live, work, and retire in the US. The City’s long-range planning is directed to maintain and improve the quality of life in the area, so that it shall remain one of the “best places” on this planet earth.
HISTORY
Modern Day
No one has done more for vacancy in Asheville then Julian Price. In 1991 he established the Public Interests Project. He, along with his friend, business partner, and current president of the PIP Pat Whalem, invested in interesting people and ideas and bought/ renovated property that no one else would touch at the time. One of these renovations includes the immensely popular music venue, the Orange Peel. Over the next 11 years, they invested or gave away some $15 million — the bulk of Price’s fortune — on a mission to remake downtown Asheville.
2006-2007 - Asheville YWCA celebrates 100 years of the Asheville YWCA
2010 - Blue Ridge Parkway celebrates its 75th Anniversary
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