For city voters, the biggest local question on this year’s ballot are three bonds, the first in almost two decades. A quick look at the issue and what it means It’s a long ballot this election year, with contests from the presidency to an abundance of state offices, general assembly

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

What’s the big deal about the I-26 project? It’s huge, incredibly controversial and could have major impacts — perhaps devastating ones – on Asheville for decades to come Above: This postcard of the Smokey Park Bridge from the 1960s shows sidewalks on both sides of the bridge with connections on the

For three decades, plans for the Interstate 26 expansion have been driven by dangerous, outdated ideas that will hurt our city. The sky isn’t falling, and it’s time to call the state out Above: This postcard of the Smokey Park Bridge from the 1960s shows sidewalks on both sides of the

Despite Asheville’s aspirations of being a first-rate city, this is a place dangerously focused around cars. How that happened and how we can change it. Above: A pedestrian tries to navigate Tunnel Road. Photo by Don Kostelec Human beings are designed for walking. Our streets are not. This was evident

In a time of growing demand, calls for reform and uncertain budgets, the Asheville Transit Committee sets some priorities for where the cash will go Above: The Asheville Transit Committee gathers for its Jan. 6 meeting, around one of those photographically vexing projectors city meeting rooms have in abundance. —