When it comes to breaking news, infrastructure typically is not the first thing that comes to mind. However, Asheville’s infrastructure took local news by storm this year with several hot-button issues and controversial proposals.
Asheville’s aging water system was the first piece of infrastructure to draw attention in 2023, with thousands of Asheville citizens celebrating the new year without water after a bloodless fracture caused breaks and outages in the city’s water system. .
Later that year, the addition of motorcycle lanes on Merrimon Avenue divided the community. Some argued that the lanes would protect cyclists and pedestrians, while others worried that traffic congestion would put pressure on businesses on the artery.
Here’s what developers, government officials, activists, and citizens think about these issues.
“First of all, let’s salute the municipal workers who dedicated the holiday week to addressing the problem. However, in addition to our outdated infrastructure, Asheville has a communication problem. During the water crisis, critical spaces such as the hospital were prioritized, but this was not communicated to the community, who were rightly disappointed and disillusioned by the city’s response. Lissa Pedersen, teacher and vice president of the Buncombe County Educators Association
“From the outside, it turns out that [they are] taking this seriously with the autopsy examination being carried out in the city. I have noticed that there are more underground utilities operating in the city, so I think [the city] is running at a faster pace. Sustainable water formula with more reliable service. — Billy Doubraski, Board Member, East West Asheville Neighborhood Association
“Honestly, I don’t think it’s worth the mess caused on Merrimon Avenue and the time it took to complete the task. However, I am grateful for the steps taken to ensure that Asheville tourists remain Asheville tourists. There’s a lot of debate about the importance of saving the things that make Asheville what it is. Our team and our baseball team are part of it. It’s undeniable to some, but as a resident here for 11 years, it means a lot to me. — Ashanti Ternoir, Network Member & Service Provider
“The infrastructure that has the biggest impact on our network is our stormwater treatment system, especially given our mountainous topography. Not only does it feed our waterways, but if it doesn’t work properly, it can cause great damage. I’m grateful for the city’s commitment to addressing those issues through its ten-year plan, especially in spaces like Biltmore Village. I was also pleased with the improvement of Merrimon Road. It is now safer for cars and pedestrians, saving lives and money. —David Moritz, Developer, Mori Blue Holdings LLC
“The Merrimon Avenue project, while controversial, has been a huge success. It has made Asheville a friendlier, safer and more accessible place to live. It’s a great model for how we can design cities for people instead of cars. As safety data continues to come in and people get used to the change, the value of the project will be clear to all. The top infrastructure need for Asheville, however, is more housing options. Local governments and our whole community need to be dedicated to solving the housing crisis, not only so people who live here now can afford to stay, but also to make room for the huge numbers of climate-change refugees that will be relocating here in the coming years.” — Josh Kelly, public lands biologist, MountainTrue
“Supporting McCormick Field is a big mistake. The economics of rooting for a minor league team are appalling, and that investment won’t pay off over time. At best, it’s an attempt to generate nostalgia by paying to remain a minor league team here instead of having an independent team play here. At worst, it’s a massive $2 billion corporate subsidy for the Houston Astros and Major League Baseball. Andrew Celwyn, former board member of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority
“’Correct’ probably isn’t the right word, but they’re certainly defensible. I live in North Asheville and am slowed every day by the Merrimon Avenue ‘road diet’ and have never once decried it. It makes our city more livable, and I’m hoping the city does a better job of connecting multimodal streets to encourage more bike commuting. McCormick Field, on the surface, was a giveaway to a billionaire team owner, but if this means the field will now be open to year-round use for concerts and other events outside of baseball season, this could be a huge and much-needed addition to Asheville’s cultural and entertainment venues.” — Matt Peiken, host, The Overlook with Matt Peiken
“I drive Merrimon every day. At first, with the lane adjustments that were made, I was under the impression that there was too much traffic for a single lane, but I changed my mind!I believe it has made a huge difference in the protection of drivers, bicyclists, and even pedestrians in the North Asheville area. Congratulations to this one. — Monica Walsh Blankenship, veteran
“I live on South French Broad Avenue and walk a lot, so from my perspective, the biggest infrastructure wants are sidewalks, trees, benches and trash cans. Many of our sidewalks are dilapidated and/or have poor drainage. Many of the The trees lining the streets are dead or dying, so there is less shade each year. Resting on the benches would be great, and trash cans would reduce waste. —Stu Helm, food blogger and food guide, food fanatic Stu Helm
“Our office is located in the netpaintings of Pisgah View Apartments in West Asheville, an asset of the City of Asheville Housing Authority. One of the biggest desires for infrastructure that we see where we work is that there are greater transit opportunities for netpaintings members to jobs, groceries, and physical care. Without a car, team members want extra hours of travel on a city bus to get to the job site, have lunch, and stop at program sites. —Ashley Allen, co-executive director, Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe
“Believe it or not, only one main apartment building has been built in North Asheville in the last 10 years. That’s because our zoning legislation is outdated. In Merrimon, for example, where we have two bus routes, only one expressway can be built. -Eating position due to two-story height limit, 6,000-square-foot floor limit, and parking requirements. How are we going to give other people a position to live, especially in spaces close to services and public transportation?, if we can’t build?—David Moritz
“I live in West Asheville next to Pisgah View Apartments. It’s saddening to see the homeless population surrounded by the low-income housing development. They were camping in the woods, and the [Asheville] Police Department tore down the surrounding bushes. A lot of them suffer from addiction, so I’d like to see facilities in Asheville that can help people get off the streets if they decide to do so themselves.” — Nina Gi, singer-songwriter
“The challenge of inadequate housing persists with emerging interest rates and housing prices. My friends and neighbors are suffering from living here with pop-up rentals, and homeownership is becoming less and less affordable. Homelessness also creates an environment in which many of our neighbors are unable to have housing at all. It saddens me to see our city criminalize other people because they can’t pay for our incredibly beloved city. —Grace Barron-Martinez, activist and real estate agent
“This year, I was forced to leave my rental unit because it was put up for sale on the market. As the new year begins, I will also be looking for a new position to live in. With astronomical rental costs and a dog, the search was tedious and challenging. — Karis Roberts, executive director, Asheville Brewers Alliance
“The increase in construction costs and interest rates have greatly impacted housing development, especially affordable housing. Our community has a great need for housing units for multiple income groups. Slowing housing production means higher rents for everyone, which impacts lower-income families the most. Also, with increased costs, developers and builders look to both the city and the county for more funding to make it feasible to build affordable housing.” —Sasha Vrtunski, Affordable housing officer, City of Asheville
“I’ve owned a home in Buncombe County for almost 30 years. I see the praise of extra wealth from a strong real estate market, and in my professional life, I see the demanding situations that come with it. I welcome appreciation in the price of my assets due to existing market conditions. However, I also recognize that my adult children find it difficult to buy their first home because of the same conditions. — Keith Miller, Tax Assessor, Buncombe County
“Remote paintings have replaced the genuine real estate landscape. People can live where they need to without sacrificing the money they earn. Remote workers are willing to spend more on a home depending on their monetary situation. The resulting increase in the local cost of housing puts pressure on others living off local market wages. — Lucious Wilson, Board Member, Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority
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