What do our Primary Election Candidates have to say about multi-modal transportation in Asheville?
Asheville on Bikes sent a survey to the City Council and County Commissioner candidates on the primary ballot for 2024, asking for their thoughts on multi-modal transportation. We have shared the answers of all who responded. Click on a name to read what each candidate who responded to the survey had to say.
Responses are posted in the order received. Pictures used where provided. Want more? Read the AoB Policy Positions!
Primary Candidates
Taylon Breeden (responses pending)
Charles Domingo
Kevan Frazier
Roberto (Bo) Hess
Tod Leavan
Iindia Pearson
Kim Roney
Sage Turner
Facebook Event: Get There AVL – Primary City Council Candidate Forum
Questionnaire Responses
Charles Domingo
Will you participate in “Get There AVL: City Council Primary Forum,” on Thursday, Feb. 8th at the Wedge at Foundation from 6pm – 8pm?
Yes – The date is on my calendar.
Tell us something about your transportation habits. How do you most often get around Asheville?
Typically, I drive. If I am visiting downtown, I’ll park in one of our public garages and will walk to my destination. I used to take the bus everywhere when I was younger, but now my home and workplace are both on the edges of the transit system.
What are your thoughts on Asheville’s Complete Street Policy? What informs your position on this policy?
Conceptually, it is fantastic. I believe that people should have access to their city, regardless of mode of transportation. The policy includes a set of ideals that our government will use as a guide measure, but also a pressure valve clause to allow the city to relieve certain projects of the requirements. This allows for a bypass to those projects which are both necessary, but whose fundamental qualities would not permit a “Complete Street.”
What is the relationship between racial equity and street design?
I think this question is masking the real relationship between economic class and street design. Necessarily, if streets are designed to give preference to those who use the most expensive mode of transportation, then the poorest are pressured out of the way. While there is a well-recognized relationship between economic disadvantage and race, I think the most durable answers and responsible solutions will arise from framing our problems as plainly as possible.
We interface with our streets with tires, wheels, and feet; while our designs might express a preference for what size wheel and whether feet are allowed, they don’t know the race or culture of the person who is being moved. Tire size might be an indication of class and it behooves our leaders to be mindful in minimizing how those choices in our basic infrastructure can be harmful to our most vulnerable.
What are your thoughts on the recently completed Merrimon Ave road reconfiguration? What informs your position on this reconfiguration?
On an instinctual level, as someone that used to walk along Merrimon Ave every day, I appreciate the idea of slowing traffic and creating a space barrier between cars and pedestrians. However, I have spoken with many who live in that community who have told me that they were frustrated that the change was “thrust” upon them.
For when I am popping into a store and continuing on my way, I certainly enjoy using the road. However, the several of the owners of some of the shops I visit have been telling me that it has been annoying to receive deliveries. Some have also added that they get no visits from cyclists.
Whatever means the city used to reach out to these residents and business owners clearly failed and the city let them down. I don’t have the data to know if it has been a help or a hindrance, but since it was done, we will see what happens. But I do hope it works, for the sake of the folks who live and work there.
What are your thoughts on the recently approved College / Patton Complete Street Project? What informs your position on this project?
I’m concerned about the impact on residents and businesses, especially as SOCON approaches and again as we get into the second half of the year, when tourism escalates. I have been a part of running these events on the Transportation Department side of things. I know they are already strained with the access we have now and I worry what will happen with less spaces and less access. I foresee that those loading zones will invite a lot of illegal parking, even before we include special events.
I am skeptical that whether discouraging vehicle access will truly increase business revenues as touted by the research. I’ve read the reports and the data on there shows that retail for businesses associated with biking and food service *does* increase. But do we believe that a cyclist is going to provide enough business to support a furniture store? If a visiting shopper has loaded down with clothes and tourism tchotchkes, do we expect them to bike over, bring their haul into Grove or S&W to eat?
I want to see safer access for biking, but I think repurposing the main thoroughfare will turn into an exercise in gentrification.
What are your thoughts on the AVL Unpaved project? What informs your position on this project?
While I’m mildly concerned about emergency responder access to help folks if something should happen on the trail, I’m completely on-board with and support the proposed trails.
Asheville City Government and Buncombe County each have programs to provide discounted parking rates for those who work in downtown Asheville. Each of the programs are different in how they deliver reduced parking fees. Do you support these discounted parking programs? Why or why not?
Yes. I think that our city has an obligation to ensure that the people who work to make our city a place worth visiting have a safe, reliable way to reach their workplace. I think we should consider working with the county to make their garages also available at a steep discount for downtown workers.
Are there other strategies the city and county should pursue to make access into downtown more affordable to downtown employees? If yes, what do you suggest? If no, why not?
In the short term, I would like to see the city acquire one or more accessible parking area(s) close to downtown in which workers can safely park and then provide them free shuttle access into the city. That way, when weekend events take over all of the parking, workers aren’t being pitted against tourists for the dreadfully small number of parking spaces in town.
Long term, Asheville must have another public garage. We regularly have sell out shows at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center that are at the same time as full-house events at Rabbit Rabbit and the Orange Peel. Since public parking is cheaper than private, those tend to fill first. That means we have over 8000 people fighting for ~1400 garage and ~700 metered spots.
City council recently updated its Outdoor Dining Program to include allowing streeteries. What are your thoughts on the streeteries policy and fee structure?
I’m opposed to the government giving carve outs of public infrastructure for purely private use and advertising. If it was very temporary, such as it was during Belle Chere, that would be lovely.
However, at these trivial prices, we are essentially taking away critical infrastructure that benefits all residents, businesses, and visitors and handing it to one of our strongest industries.
Kevan Frazier
Will you participate in “Get There AVL: City Council Primary Forum,” on Thursday, Feb. 8th at the Wedge at Foundation from 6pm – 8pm?
Yes – The date is on my calendar.
Tell us something about your transportation habits. How do you most often get around Asheville?
I live downtown in the Central Business District (CBD), own a business in the CBD, and work for Western Carolina University at our instructional site in Biltmore Park in South Asheville. I use an electric car to get to work, visit my family, and shop. I use an e-bike for getting around downtown, North Asheville, and West Asheville, including going to my business, Well Played Board Game Café. I also use my bike for small grocery runs on Merrimon Avenue. Because I live in the CBD I am often able to walk to many of my meetings as well as go out to eat and enjoy entertainment downtown.
What are your thoughts on Asheville’s Complete Street Policy? What informs your position on this policy?
The Complete Streets Program, advanced by Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition, is a great transportation planning concept, and I am glad that Asheville has a Complete Street Policy. That policy, however, is now twelve years old and it is time for the city to review and update. Much has evolved in Asheville over the past twelve years including the completion of several notable road, greenway, and bikeway projects. Likewise, local population growth, an increase in the number of regional users from neighboring counties, and an increase in the number of visitors have shifted transportation patterns and needs. Additionally, the Pandemic significantly transformed the way people need and want to travel to work, to home, to retail, and to community gathering places and amenities. These changes, our local experiences, as well as more than a decade of new national data can inform a revised policy that better addresses community priorities and equity.
What is the relationship between racial equity and street design?
Much of our community’s core infrastructure was designed and implemented when racial segregation was the legal norm. The legacy of those decisions remains today and can be seen in undersized and under-maintained streets as well as the absence of sidewalks, tree canopies, and bike lanes in historically Black, Hispanic, and immigrant neighborhoods in Asheville. Likewise, many of these neighborhoods are isolated and do not connect to the rest of the city’s infrastructure in ways that other neighborhoods do.
The result of these inequities goes far beyond inconvenience but often includes significant safety issues resulting in higher injury and fatality rates from automobile-related incidents. I would like to see Asheville join the Vision Zero Network and commit to achieving no serious injuries or fatalities from traffic and related incidents. The notion that fatalities are the price of living in a modern society and that certain population groups will bear an outsized proportion of that loss is an intolerable mindset that equitable modern planning can overcome.
As the city moves to address these inequities, it is paramount that neighborhoods not only be in a position to contribute to the discussion but to have leadership roles in implementation. Originally, the flawed planning ideology of Urban Renewal was implemented to bring suburban landscapes to downtowns as downtowns were failing and suburbs were booming. Because of a purposeful lack of citizen involvement, Urban Renewal was also used to dismantle Black and immigrant neighborhoods, and without community input and leadership, the same could happen, even if inadvertently, by well-meaning modern planning programs.
What are your thoughts on the recently completed Merrimon Ave road reconfiguration? What informs your position on this reconfiguration?
When proposed, I was skeptical about the Merrimon Avenue project. I lived and worked off of Merrimon for nearly twenty years. As a U.S. Highway, which is also a main urban corridor, Merrimon has been a challenging road for decades. Thus far, however, the Merrimon project, which is an application of the Complete Street Policy, appears to have brought more order and, dare I say calm and safety, to Merrimon Avenue for cars, bikes, and pedestrians. With the bike lanes taking the varying width of Merrimon, rather than the car lanes, there is more order, regularity, and predictability. (I still won’t ride on Merrimon Avenue with my bike. I take Charlotte Street or Broadway and come into Merrimon on the secondary streets. The presence of the bike lanes, however, lets me complete my travel without being forced to navigate parking lots or sidewalks.)
At the 18-24 month mark post-completion, I would like to see the city host listening sessions among residents and businesses on and adjacent to Merrimon Avenue for feedback.
What are your thoughts on the recently approved College / Patton Complete Street Project? What informs your position on this project?
I think it is a reasonable plan that achieves many of the city’s goals as part of its Complete Streets Policy. I am concerned about the net loss of 15 parking spaces and the loading areas. That is 2 percent of the downtown metered spaces. Having bike lanes on the left will be an adjustment but, as designed, is a much safer arrangement than being on the right. I think that because this is such a major corridor the City should consider left-side bike lanes on other one-way streets in the future for consistency, regularity, and safety.
I have concerns about the loading zones, not so much from a design standpoint as from a policy and enforcement lens. My own business on Coxe Avenue relies on loading zones six days a week, but our vendors get to use them no more than 20 percent of the time because they are always filled with cars and there is little to no enforcement of loading zones during the day. On the flip side, I would like to see us allow some loading zones to be used for parking in the evening hours, and wonder how (if at all) that would impact this plan.
What are your thoughts on the AVL Unpaved project? What informs your position on this project?
The AVL Unpaved project is a great way to grow access to trails for recreation and transportation. I live downtown and do not have a rack for my bike so there are several trails to which I do not have easy access. This challenge is even more pronounced for youth who live within the city. AVL Unpaved promises easy in-town access to trails and a way to grow our greenway network at much less cost. I do not, however, want to see it used as a means to not invest in greenways but rather as a much-needed supplement.
Asheville City Government and Buncombe County each have programs to provide discounted parking rates for those who work in downtown Asheville. Each of the programs are different in how they deliver reduced parking fees. Do you support these discounted parking programs? Why or why not?
I support these programs but would like to see them come into alignment. I also think the income threshold is too low and conflicts with “living wage” goals.
Parking is a fundamental component of multi-modal city-provided infrastructure downtown and a lack of parking is often cited as a reason folks from outside of downtown do not come downtown. We need a comprehensive parking plan not only for downtown but for the entire city. There is little rhyme or reason as to why some parking spaces are metered and some are not, all over the city. Why does paid parking end at 6 pm? Why don’t the meters operate on Sundays? How are we accounting for monthly permit spaces in the decks? When Well Played was on Wall Street the deck often read “Full” and yet two dozen spaces would be open. Not having a thoughtful and comprehensive parking plan hurts our ability to provide affordable parking to employees and have enough parking for people working, shopping, eating, and doing business downtown.
Are there other strategies the city and county should pursue to make access into downtown more affordable to downtown employees? If yes, what do you suggest? If no, why not?
The main strategy on my mind is a heavy lift, and that is a true regional transit system. The bus system needs to expand throughout the county. This is an important project for the city and county to work on together.
I would also add that we need more bike racks so employees can actually bike to work, when possible. If the city is willing to pay to put in parking, it should also pay to put in bike racks. When we opened Well Played on Coxe Avenue I inquired about getting a bike rack on our wide sidewalk and was told that the city doesn’t have any to install. Bike racks should not be a luxury.
City council recently updated its Outdoor Dining Program to include allowing streeteries. What are your thoughts on the streeteries policy and fee structure?
A hallmark of a vibrant downtown is outdoor dining. The expansion of outdoor dining during the pandemic was highly successful and should be continued. The policy is well thought out, clearly borrowing from the experience of other municipalities. The process to get a permit for a streetery does, however, appear complicated or at least cumbersome. I am concerned that the cost of the annual permit for streeteries does not cover the annual loss of revenue from the parking spots used to make room for the streeteries.
Roberto (Bo) Hess
Will you participate in “Get There AVL: City Council Primary Forum,” on Thursday, Feb. 8th at the Wedge at Foundation from 6pm – 8pm?
Yes – The date is on my calendar.
Tell us something about your transportation habits. How do you most often get around Asheville?
While I am equally likely to be found walking to work or downtown for leisure, for greater distances, I rely on my personal vehicle. Traveling around the city for campaign events I almost always carpool with my campaign team and I often utilize rideshare options. I enjoy the freedoms and health benefits of bicycling but I understand the frustrations that Asheville’s commuters share and wish I felt safer biking around our city as a primary form of transportation. My goal is to support and enhance our city’s transportation options, making them more accessible, safe, efficient, and enjoyable for everyone.
What are your thoughts on Asheville’s Complete Street Policy? What informs your position on this policy?
I wholeheartedly support Asheville’s Complete Street Policy, recognizing the critical link between well-designed transportation infrastructure and the well-being of our community. Street design has more of an ability to impact behavioral outcomes than posting speed limits or using fines. My background in social work, mental health, and public health informs my support of Complete Streets through their ability to offer a pathway to enhanced public health and safety for all residents. I am dedicated to supporting policies like Complete Streets that will create an inclusive, healthy, and thriving Asheville, ensuring equitable access and improved quality of life across the city.
What is the relationship between racial equity and street design?
Street design profoundly impacts racial equity by determining access to education, employment, healthy food, socialization, and essential services. Unfortunately, current disparities in the U.S. often leave working-class, low-income, and Black and Brown communities without adequate, reliable transportation options, exacerbating safety concerns and mental health challenges. My approach prioritizes inclusive decision-making, engaging those most affected to create a more equitable, healthy, and safe transportation/street system. By advocating for safer streets we create opportunities for multimodal transportation, increase access to jobs, and encourage partnerships for healthcare access. By prioritizing vulnerable communities in city planning I aim to address these inequities head-on. Diversifying transportation leadership and ensuring equitable investments will make Asheville’s neighborhoods more inclusive and safe for everyone. My commitment is to continue the transformation of our city’s approach to transportation, aligning it with our values of equity, inclusion, and increased quality of life.
What are your thoughts on the recently completed Merrimon Ave road reconfiguration? What informs your position on this reconfiguration?
I am in favor of the Merrimon Avenue reconfiguration, believing it enhances safety and unity from downtown into North Asheville. My support is rooted in personal experience as a regular user of this route and is reinforced by data on the benefits of complete streets. Such reconfigurations are proven to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities, as well as traffic accidents. Implementing this reconfiguration aligns with my commitment to make Asheville a safer, more accessible city for all its residents, by prioritizing pedestrian safety and encouraging a more cohesive community flow. Much like Charlotte Street, I have found the changes on Merrimon Ave to have positive impacts on the community including less speeding and more walkability.
What are your thoughts on the recently approved College / Patton Complete Street Project? What informs your position on this project?
I support the College / Patton Complete Street Project, viewing it as a pivotal move towards a safer, more accessible Asheville for everyone, regardless of their mode of transit—walking, biking, driving, using public transportation, navigating in a wheelchair, or skateboarding. The project has considered and chosen the safest path for bike lanes that have the least points of conflict and the most benefit for biking, in consideration with planning bus routes and access for emergency vehicles. My support springs from a conviction that multimodal and public transportation are essential for a vibrant, integrated city. An integrated city thrives: reflecting health, inclusivity, and connectivity. I anticipate collaborating with fellow council members to broaden the reach of complete and integrated streets, alongside robust public transportation options, to every corner of Asheville, including our underserved communities. This project is not just an investment in infrastructure; it’s an investment in an accessible, equitable future for all Asheville residents, marking a critical step towards realizing our city’s full potential as a model for comprehensive urban mobility.
What are your thoughts on the AVL Unpaved project? What informs your position on this project?
I am a strong advocate for the AVL Unpaved project, which aims to create natural surface trails across Asheville’s undeveloped forested areas. This initiative intends to link neighborhoods, offer urban and trail riding opportunities for our youth, and improve residents’ access to the trail system directly from their streets. My position is informed by the project’s potential to foster community engagement, enhance recreational activities, and connect people to our city’s natural beauty. Building more opportunities for walking in nature that are closest to where people live and work is essential for improving the health of our communities. Moreover, I support expanding our parks, community centers, and green spaces as part of a broader effort to build a healthier, more integrated Asheville. By providing diverse recreational options for families, we not only improve physical well-being but also strengthen community bonds.
Asheville City Government and Buncombe County each have programs to provide discounted parking rates for those who work in downtown Asheville. Each of the programs are different in how they deliver reduced parking fees. Do you support these discounted parking programs? Why or why not?
I sincerely support the provision of discounted parking rates for downtown Asheville workers. The people who work downtown are the backbone of our city, contributing significantly to the vibrancy and economic health of our community. Ensuring they have safe, clean, and accessible parking options is essential. Such programs not only assist our workforce but also enhance the experience for visitors. I advocate for expanding these programs to increase parking availability across more locations, offering workers multiple access points to their places of employment. More spaces, in more places. This approach underscores my commitment to supporting those who keep Asheville thriving and makes our city more welcoming for everyone. A common theme of these questions is how we as a city might impact the behavior of our community through intentional street designs. By setting aside parking spaces for workers, we not only communicate that we value our working-class, but we can also influence more downtown visitors to use alternative forms of transportation, further increasing public safety.
Are there other strategies the city and county should pursue to make access into downtown more affordable to downtown employees? If yes, what do you suggest? If no, why not?
Beyond discounted local parking, Asheville and Buncombe County can implement several strategies to support downtown employees. Key among these is increasing affordable housing options close to employment hubs, which would reduce the need for long commutes. Implementing eviction protections, along with assistance for deposits and application fees, can also ease the financial burden on workers. Furthermore, ensuring our streets and parking facilities are safe, clean, and accessible is crucial. Supporting the rights of workers to organize and advocate for their needs is fundamental to achieving fair employment conditions and collaborating with workers’ organizations (like AFBU) we can make downtown Asheville more accessible and affordable for those who are essential to its vibrancy and success.
City council recently updated its Outdoor Dining Program to include allowing streeteries. What are your thoughts on the streeteries policy and fee structure?
I view the city council’s update to the Outdoor Dining Program, including the allowance for streeteries, as a positive development. The program’s fee structure seems fair, providing a cost-effective way for restaurants to expand their outdoor dining options, plus the new fee structure encourages businesses to allow public use of outdoor spaces after hours. Ensuring the safety of all residents, including adherence to speed limits and other safety measures, is paramount in this context. However, it’s crucial that we periodically reassess the fee structure to remain equitable and reflective of the city’s evolving needs. Additionally, the city must continue enhancing multimodal transportation options and ensuring adequate parking for downtown workers. This balanced approach will contribute to a vibrant, accessible downtown Asheville, benefiting both residents and businesses.
Tod Leaven
Will you participate in “Get There AVL: City Council Primary Forum,” on Thursday, Feb. 8th at the Wedge at Foundation from 6pm – 8pm?
Yes – The date is on my calendar.
Tell us something about your transportation habits. How do you most often get around Asheville?
I walk or drive primarily. I love riding bikes, but that is primarily for recreation and not transportation.
What are your thoughts on Asheville’s Complete Street Policy? What informs your position on this policy?
I think multimodal transportation is key for a thriving city. I think it works better when the majority of the population is centered close to downtown as opposed to when it is sprawled out. I believe what Asheville needs to fully realize complete streets is to get a higher population downtown and near downtown and less urban sprawl.
What is the relationship between racial equity and street design?
For equality, all streets need to be accessible by the population. Even more than simply designing the streets to promote equality, Asheville needs to better integrate its housing stock across economic and racial divides.
What are your thoughts on the recently completed Merrimon Ave road reconfiguration? What informs your position on this reconfiguration?
I understand why some Asheville residents felt the need for these long bike lanes reaching out to these neighborhoods. Being able to bike downtown is lovely. Personally, I’d prefer if there could have been either a greater amount of time talking about the options to the pertinent residents and business owners, or if we could have better explained the process and intended results. A lot of people in North Asheville are quite upset about this reconfiguration and feel ignored. With more by-in from the residents, this after-the-fact friction would be minimized.
What are your thoughts on the recently approved College / Patton Complete Street Project? What informs your position on this project?
It seems a bit disjointed. I am not opposed to bike lanes, but surely there is a better way to plan them out as opposed to the current patchwork approach. I wish the residents and business owners had more of a voice and a bigger seat at the table. Grand projects are good, but the city needs to hear from the effected neighborhoods more.
What are your thoughts on the AVL Unpaved project? What informs your position on this project?
I think it looks lovely. My position is informed by the fact that Asheville is a hiking destination and these trails will be used and enjoyed by locals and tourists.
Asheville City Government and Buncombe County each have programs to provide discounted parking rates for those who work in downtown Asheville. Each of the programs are different in how they deliver reduced parking fees. Do you support these discounted parking programs? Why or why not?
Yes. Even better than on street parking or flat parking lots would be parking garages with a smaller footprint. More of our tree canopy would be saved and there would be more street use for cars, bikes, pedestrians, etc.
Are there other strategies the city and county should pursue to make access into downtown more affordable to downtown employees? If yes, what do you suggest? If no, why not?
Our public transportation is lacking. Discounted rates for workers is great, but more affordable housing downtown is even better! We absolutely need to end the false narrative that if bikes win, cars lose – and vice versa.
City council recently updated its Outdoor Dining Program to include allowing streeteries. What are your thoughts on the streeteries policy and fee structure?
I don’t like charging restaurants even more fees. With more centralized parking and accessibility to and from these parking areas, more of the streets can be utilized by residents, businesses, bikes, etc.
Kim Roney
Will you participate in “Get There AVL: City Council Primary Forum,” on Thursday, Feb. 8th at the Wedge at Foundation from 6pm – 8pm?
Yes – The date is on my calendar.
Tell us something about your transportation habits. How do you most often get around Asheville?
Since donating our family car in 2008, I have prioritized reducing my reliance on fossil fuels by walking, biking, using public transit, and carpooling. I am a transit-dependent commuter with most of my daily commutes being a combination of walking and public transit.
What are your thoughts on Asheville’s Complete Street Policy? What informs your position on this policy?
I’m committed to sharing the work to implement Asheville’s and NCDOT’s Complete Streets Policies with an equity lens. Owning a vehicle shouldn’t be a prerequisite for getting to work, shopping, or school. We’ve been at the top of the list for most dangerous roads per capita in the state for over a decade and we must prioritize road design so everyone can get to their destination safely.
My position is informed in the data that backs up the policy and through my lived experience. Complete streets are good for the people who live and work here, for businesses, and for meeting our carbon reduction goals. I am committed to budgets, plans, and policies that make our roads safer for all commuters, including cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers, and to advancing ADA compliance to improve safety and accessibility for all.
What is the relationship between racial equity and street design?
Implementing the Complete Streets Policy with an equity lens starts with acknowledging and dismantling racism and classism at the foundation of zoning and urban design. In Asheville, we experience the overlap in the harmful outcomes of our Urban Renewal Map and the disproportionate burden of Buncombe County property tax assessment on historically Black and legacy neighborhoods.
Our legacy neighborhoods are demanding anti-gentrification tools alongside investment in the transportation infrastructure their communities deserve. For example, neighborhood plans like Burton Street Community Association’s call for the Smith Mill Creek Greenway construction is alongside the call for reparations as their neighborhood is again being devastated by yet another highway expansion that displaces residents and damages relationships with the natural environment.
Another connection is public safety in transportation. Everyone in Asheville deserves to be safe, but a narrow definition of public safety limits our success and creates new problems. True public safety identifies needs and utilizes the correct tools. In the case of transportation, commuter safety has historically over-relied on policing for enforcement, yet City staff have historically resisted even basic racial equity reforms adopted by City Council and advanced by the local chapter of the NAACP. Getting to the root issue of transportation safety, our Complete Streets Policy can embed safety through environmental design, improving outcomes while reducing traffic stops and unnecessary interactions with armed enforcement.
A new public safety resource related to transportation is coming online this year as cities in North Carolina were allowed through state legislation in 2023 to deploy Civilian Traffic Investigators to minor traffic incidents. Durham is a few years ahead of the process and leading on this program. If we follow Durham’s lead and implement an Office of Community Safety, we can reduce unnecessary interactions between commuters and armed officers while freeing up our limited APD staff to address other, serious matters like violent crime.
I follow Equicity as a resource for advancing racial equity in transportation, check out their work here: https://www.equiticity.org/
What are your thoughts on the recently completed Merrimon Ave road reconfiguration? What informs your position on this reconfiguration?
Early data shows that vehicular accidents are down, so it looks promising that the goal to increase safety for all commuters will be successful. The implementation process was unfortunately messy, especially with the delay in traffic signal updates, which resulted in daily frustration for neighborhoods and regular commuters. I look forward to reviewing data as it comes forward and I anticipate additional updates, especially improvements to ADA compliance for Merrimon Avenue sidewalks.
What are your thoughts on the recently approved College / Patton Complete Street Project? What informs your position on this project?
I supported the College/Patton Complete Streets project because I’m committed to prioritizing safe street design for all commuters, including connections to and through the hub of our Downtown. Right now, our roads aren’t safe for everybody who uses them, as seen by Asheville’s standing among the highest bike/pedestrian accident ratios in the state and the shameful lagging ADA compliance noted in our GAP Plan. We must change, and I believe we are capable and deserving of #CompleteStreets as part of what it means to #BeBoutitBeingBetter.
While we’re talking College/Patton Complete Streets, did you know it’s illegal to roller skate or skateboard Downtown, or to use an electric scooter city-wide? I’ve asked my colleagues on Council and City staff to look at addressing Code of Ordinances 19.6-7 so we can: decriminalize all modes of transportation; support more people who want to reduce fossil fuels through active transportation; and invest in infrastructure for everyone. Stay tuned for policy updates as we work towards roads that are better for the people who live and work here and their families, better for business, better for our visitors, and better for our ecosystem and quality of life!
What are your thoughts on the AVL Unpaved project? What informs your position on this project?
AVL Unpaved is an excellent example of deepening partnerships and engaging neighbors in community-led solutions! These pilot projects will connect Asheville Middle School and legacy neighborhoods with our growing greenway network while stretching our community’s capacity for fundraising and implementation.
My support blossoms from my experience with the community-led tactical urbanism projects on Coxe Avenue and the West-Wayne projects, which lacked the necessary follow-through for permanent solutions but delivered on the short-term, positive outcomes in safety and equity for which they were designed.
Asheville City Government and Buncombe County each have programs to provide discounted parking rates for those who work in downtown Asheville. Each of the programs are different in how they deliver reduced parking fees. Do you support these discounted parking programs? Why or why not?
I support parking discounts to address affordability for workers. The cost of transportation is rising, and I encourage workers who drive to stay vigilant in advocating alongside workers who can’t drive or can’t afford to drive so we collectively maintain pressure to expand transportation options for all.
Are there other strategies the city and county should pursue to make access into downtown more affordable to downtown employees? If yes, what do you suggest? If no, why not?
The community should hold the City and County accountable for delivering on affordable housing plans with increased transportation options so single-occupancy cars aren’t the only option for displaced workers and their families. After expanded evening hours and increased frequency on the S3 and S6 to South Asheville (currently served every 90 minutes), every following phase of the Transit Master Plan includes expansion into the County. The City and County missed an opportunity to coordinate on planning to expand transit service hours and frequency in this budget cycle, but continue to plan for housing at the edges of the city limits or just beyond reaches of service, like the upcoming 700 housing units planned for the Ferry Road development.
Positive next steps to invest in transportation corridors for smart land use looks like: a real-time study of increased frequency along the S3 and S6 to South Asheville starting in this budget cycle; ensuring last-mile connectivity for the future Ferry Road neighborhood with bike lanes and a park and ride shuttle to connect to the W2 route; and a plan to connect Enka/Candler as outlined in phase three of the Transit Master Plan.
City council recently updated its Outdoor Dining Program to include allowing streeteries. What are your thoughts on the streeteries policy and fee structure?
I love seeing people using our public spaces more creatively and collectively! As we review the community benefits of public space and the fee structure, we know only some business owners can participate or have the capital for a brick-and-mortar restaurant. I will continue to amplify food truck operators who are asking to be included in expanded uses of public space.
Sage Turner
Will you participate in “Get There AVL: City Council Primary Forum,” on Thursday, Feb. 8th at the Wedge at Foundation from 6pm – 8pm?
No – I will not be able to attend.
Tell us something about your transportation habits. How do you most often get around Asheville?
I drive an electric car or I walk. I live in West Avl and work downtown so I often drive downtown then spend the day on foot. I find that when I am traveling to larger cities with multimodal infrastructure in place, I enjoy riding a bike or using the electric scooters to get around. Asheville needs safer multimodal options as we grow.
What are your thoughts on Asheville’s Complete Street Policy? What informs your position on this policy?
The average resident spends 25% of their income on transportation (see H&T index). Half of our community is also cost burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Layer in the environmental damages of long commutes, traffic, noise, and emissions, and all signs point to improving options for other modes of transportation.
The policy and design goals are great in general. Crosswalks, medians, narrower lanes, sidewalks, treescapes, bioswales, etc are great additions to our community. We often face challenges in implementation and prioritizing of features due to our existing infrastructure. In other words, in many places, we cannot fit all the desired options.
What is the relationship between racial equity and street design?
This is of curious interest to me. There are articles and opinions on this topic, many saying complete streets can increase access and equity in multiracial neighborhoods. However, recently, we were asked to vote on a complete street project in downtown and Council was split. Three white Councilwomen were in support and three black Councilwomen were opposed. I have great respect for my fellow Councilors and the residents that voted them in. Their opposition leaves me concerned and wanting to lean into this issue and better understand. Articles and books don’t always get it right; sometimes the location, timing, and history play a major role.
What are your thoughts on the recently completed Merrimon Ave road reconfiguration? What informs your position on this reconfiguration?
The primary goals for the Merrimon avenue updates were to make it safer and less dangerous. I supported the change with the caveat that we could remove if the outcomes were not achieved. The community remains split on the changes (half for & half against) and we are still awaiting data from NCDOT regarding improved safety. Hopefully, with better timed traffic lights we will find the configuration is safer. And residents that continue to struggle with the traffic and extra time in it, will hopefully find some relief.
I live along busy Haywood rd, also a one lane road in both directions, and the businesses and surrounding neighborhoods thrive. I’ve done the PED counts at Haywood rd intersections and seen the real numbers; walkability and other modes are very high use.
What are your thoughts on the recently approved College / Patton Complete Street Project? What informs your position on this project?
I was the supportive swing vote for this project. I had hesitations due to timing, push back from beloved businesses, and the many other important needs in downtown. I was also concerned about adding only a bike lane; for me, a multimodal complete street offers many modes, not just bicycles. So I pushed for including escooters and one wheels and other modes in the new lane configuration. All were adopted.
What are your thoughts on the AVL Unpaved project? What informs your position on this project?
I support the initiative and while it may not be ideal to use lesser materials or leave greenways as dirt entirely, it is still a step in the right direction and one we can afford. There are unfortunate impacts for differently abled persons since many areas will remain inaccessible so we need to be sure we are making some greenway systems easily accessible by all bodies and encouraging public use. The reality is that construction costs have increased across all projects–from paving to building affordable housing.
Asheville City Government and Buncombe County each have programs to provide discounted parking rates for those who work in downtown Asheville. Each of the programs are different in how they deliver reduced parking fees. Do you support these discounted parking programs? Why or why not?
I support reduced parking fares. Unfortunately, our housing crisis continues to worsen and countless residents are being priced out. For many, moving further out from the city core is the only option and they must drive into work. Additionally, wages have not kept up with inflation and high parking costs eat up a good portion of the days pay.
Are there other strategies the city and county should pursue to make access into downtown more affordable to downtown employees? If yes, what do you suggest? If no, why not?
More frequent bus routes, bus rapid transit when possible, commuter shuttles focused around city center, additional periphery parking options that have shuttles or buses, and more multimodal access.
City council recently updated its Outdoor Dining Program to include allowing streeteries. What are your thoughts on the streeteries policy and fee structure?
COVID taught us we can have programs like this, when before they seemed impossible. I’m a big fan. The fee structure was recently increased and so far, so good. In talking with businesses, they’re able to increase business, making the charges worthwhile.
Iindia Pearson
Will you participate in “Get There AVL: City Council Primary Forum,” on Thursday, Feb. 8th at the Wedge at Foundation from 6pm – 8pm?
Yes – The date is on my calendar.
Tell us something about your transportation habits. How do you most often get around Asheville?
For a number of years I’ve traveled via the public transportation with children or by walking. Later on in life, I was blessed to have a personal vehicle to travel to work, school and to run personal errand. One obtaining a vehicle, that put me in a position to have the option to ride my bike to work and recreational use. I most often get around Asheville via personal transportation.
What are your thoughts on Asheville’s Complete Street Policy? What informs your position on this policy?
I like that as a city, we have a policy and have begun to move forward with it. I believe that everyone should have access to various method of safe traveling whether on foot, bike, vehicle or otherwise, ensuring it is equitable for all.
What is the relationship between racial equity and street design?
In recent research across the US, it has been stated the street safety and design is based on location, race, and class. While as a city we have made effort to include input from the community as a whole, most projects, street designs and focus have been in areas that generate more business and wealth, gentrified areas and wealthier communities versus low wealth communities, high-poverty neighborhoods and high-crime neighborhoods. Neighborhoods in the aforementioned areas seem to be made up of more people of color rather then the “focused” areas of the community.
Asheville has a rich history with Urban Renewal and redlining. While we may be working towards corrective measures, this is an example of the relationship between racial equity and street design. Knowing this brings the question of what we can we do and what we will do to move our city farther ahead to where there is more racial equity in street design in our city while being aware and recognizing the fear of gentrification from those families impacted from Urban Renewal and the recently gentrified areas.
What are your thoughts on the recently completed Merrimon Ave road reconfiguration? What informs your position on this reconfiguration?
While I do not live in that area, I do travel to Merrimon Ave Road. When the proposed change was first mention, I didn’t think it was a good idea due to the amount of traffic from residents and business in the area, but because I have little to no knowledge about how street, road and highway engineering works, I believed that the residents, business owners and engineer of that area were the experts and would make the better decision for that area. I do like that they have added bike lanes and the turning lane going towards Weaver T. Blvd. For me its about safe traveling and improving community and public safety.
What are your thoughts on the recently approved College / Patton Complete Street Project? What informs your position on this project?
It’s not always convenient or always possible to ride the transit or afford to catch an Uber or cab. Bike lanes, sidewalks and greenways are a necessity for those on feet, bikes or otherwise. This contributes to community and public safety.
What are your thoughts on the AVL Unpaved project? What informs your position on this project?
Based on what I read, I support the community having access to the trails for the various uses mentioned. I like that undeveloped land is being used in an environmentally friendly way and green space is preserved.
Asheville City Government and Buncombe County each have programs to provide discounted parking rates for those who work in downtown Asheville. Each of the programs are different in how they deliver reduced parking fees. Do you support these discounted parking programs? Why or why not?
I support discounted parking programs for employees who work downtown. Employees that have to travel to work (specifically downtown) by personal vehicle really shouldn’t have to pay for parking, but because there is a fee to park near their place of work, then it should be discounted.
Are there other strategies the city and county should pursue to make access into downtown more affordable to downtown employees? If yes, what do you suggest? If no, why not?
We should ensure we are considering the locals working downtown that can barely afford to live in Asheville, can afford to travel and park at or near their place of work. We understand the cost of living in Asheville is very high compared to rate of pay, especially for many of the hospitality workers downtown.
City council recently updated its Outdoor Dining Program to include allowing streeteries. What are your thoughts on the streeteries policy and fee structure?
I love the idea of having an outdoor dining program as it ads to the character of Asheville. The updated policies are a great starts. I have not comment in regards to the fee. I would like to think the process and fee is fair and equitable.