Council sends the first bond referendum in nearly 20 years to the voters in a short meeting that illuminates the divides ahead Above: Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell. File photo by Max Cooper. Asheville City Council’s Aug. 9 meeting was a short one, just 40 minutes long. Front and

This November city voters might have the choice over $74 million for affordable housing, transportation and parks and rec. Behind Asheville’s first bond referendum in nearly two decades Above: City Hall under renovation. Photo by Bill Rhodes. Seventy-four million dollars. That is, by any standard, a lot of money. That’s

Council condemns HB2 after some last-minute changes, sketches out the coming budget and gives the go-ahead for a major greenway, over some opposition. Also: bear selfies. Above: Anti-HB2 protesters move onto the space near the Vance Monument after a smaller, pro-HB2 demonstration leaves on April 2. Photo by Max Cooper.

Over its two-day retreat, Asheville City Council set some goals, split on affordable housing, clashed with staff and set the stage for some interesting times ahead Above: the goals of Council members and staff during part of their annual retreat Every year, Asheville City Council has a retreat. Despite the

For too long the city has neglected the Walton Street park and pool, a place of history and community. It’s time to change that Three months ago, the Southside Community Advisory Board started a petition to save the Walton Street Park/Pool in an effort to galvanize not just the Southside