Hi Kim,

I’d like to add my voice to those in opposition of the current widening plan for Merrimon Ave. I think there are better ways to improve this road. Ones that include pedestrians and cyclists, while also managing automobile traffic in a manner that reflects a positive multimodal area.

As a resident of the 5 Points Neighborhood, I’d rather not see Merrimon Ave turn into another Hendersonville Road scenario. Where it feels more like a highway with stop lights rather than a neighborhood road. Also, of all the miles of sidewalks on Hendersonville Rd, rarely do I see anyone using them. I wouldn’t either, it seems dangerous, and far less like a community.

This plan also doesn’t lend itself to any of the longer term plans set aside for Merrimon Ave by the City of Asheville and NCDOT, i.e., NCDOT Complete Street Policy, Asheville in Motion Plan, Asheville City 2025, just to name a few. There were also no alternative plans that would have been on track to support any of the above mentioned plans.

Please consider alternative plans.

Thank you,

~Jeff Farmer

President

5 Points Neighborhood Association