Despite a year of criticism and controversy involving senior city staff, at the recent Council retreat it was all back-patting and consolidating power for the city’s top officials Above: One of the discussion boards at Council retreat, sketching out a delegation of authority that could potentially give City manager Gary Jackson

New restrictions on hotels and development in the heart of Asheville mark the quiet end of an era of consensus among city bureaucrats, downtown gentry and elected officials. Above: City Hall by night, photo by Max Cooper. While it didn’t exactly rattle the windows or send town criers scurrying into

In addition to the long-form journalism Blade readers have come to know and love, please check out the round-ups of our live coverage for on-the-ground insights into what’s going on in our city. City Hall under renovation. Photo by Bill Rhodes. Hello readers, I hope this brief informational update finds you all

For years Southside community members pushed for the renovation of a long-neglected historic pool. But city government might go forward with other plans. Behind the debate about who decides the fate of a local landmark. The Walton Street pool isn’t in good shape, on that everyone agrees. Built in 1938,

A year after a controversial hotel vote set new political boundaries on the issue, Council again faces a similar dilemma with an election on the way. A look at the latest battle lines in the hotel wars. Above: An image of the proposed Embassy Suites project, an eight story hotel

The Asheville Blade covered a lot of ground as we fought through a tumultuous, trying, important and groundbreaking 2016 alongside the people of the city we love Above: Fireworks over City Hall. Photo by Bill Rhodes. Well that was a hell of a year. As 2016 (finally!) meets its end

Airbnb-style rentals are a massive, controversial issue in Asheville. The Blade’s built a map to show where they’re being halted, who’s profiting, who owns them and more as local government continues to wrangle with this complicated behemoth Above: a shot from the Blade‘s interactive map showing the impact of Airbnb

Housing, inequity, the powers of county staff, HB2, education, development and more in our questionnaires for the candidates for the Buncombe County chair and commissioner seats Above: the Buncombe County Courthouse  Welcome back, readers. We’re in the middle of early voting right now. Today you can vote at eight locations

Name: David King Profession: Ferrier In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Proud Democrat In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I believe county government and elected officials have a responsibility to serve every citizen of Buncombe County, not a political agenda, which is why I

Name: Nancy Nehls Nelson Profession: Retired AT&T Bell Labs Project Manager In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Democrat In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I am an engaged community advocate that has the experience to be a significant voice on the Buncombe County