GAP Report for 8/10/26
PROBLEMATIC
A Better Transit Network for Many Riders — But Not Everyone
At its July 28th meeting, the Asheville City Council reviewed the proposed Asheville Rides Transit (ART) network plan. Community feedback was overwhelmingly negative, but staff still recommended the plan be adopted. The proposal could improve frequency, reliability, and access to jobs for many riders, but would obtain those benefits by eliminating direct service to several important destinations and neighborhoods that disproportionately impact marginalized members of our community. Before taking final action, Council should require staff to change the proposed redesign to address community feedback, develop equitable solutions for riders losing essential access, and/or present practical options (like increasing transit funding) to preserve critical connections.
REPORT BACKS
Public investment in Buncombe County should strengthen communities—not price people out
Last week, we renewed our call for the Buncombe County Commission to explore the development of a practical anti-displacement analysis framework. Using examples from last week’s agenda, we made the argument that such a framework would give the County a consistent way to examine who may be harmed by major tax, budget, land-use, infrastructure, and public-investment decisions—and to identify and institute possible protections that could actually prevent displacement from occurring. The Commission neither responded nor publicly discussed our proposal. We will continue seeking a substantive response and a clear next step.
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PREVIOUS REPORTS
GAP Report for 4/13/26
0 Items 0 Items Appeal deadline for property tax reappraisals is too early Buncombe County needs to adopt an anti-displacement policy 0 Items Help Expand Government Accountability in Asheville We’ve had some of our most significant successes lately, with the...
GAP Report for 4/6/26
0 Items 0 Items Appeal deadline for property tax reappraisals is too early (new) Buncombe County needs to adopt an anti-displacement policy 0 Items New Item: Buncombe County’s May 5 deadline for filing formal appeals of the recent property tax reappraisals is too...
GAP Report for 3/30/26
0 Items Community needs a seat at the table as Asheville considers Performing Arts Center on The Block (resolved for now) Asheville needs to adopt an anti-displacement policy (updated) Buncombe County needs to adopt an anti-displacement policy 0 Items Updated Item:...
GAP Report for 3/23/26
Community needs a seat at the table as Asheville considers Performing Arts Center on The Block (resolved) 0 Items Major county decisions are being made without an anti-displacement policy (report back) Asheville needs anti-displacement guardrails in next year’s budget...
GAP Report for 3/16/26
0 Items Community needs a seat at the table as Asheville considers Performing Arts Center on The Block (updated) Major county decisions are being made without an anti-displacement policy (new) Asheville needs anti-displacement guardrails in next year’s budget Buncombe...