Government Accountability Project of Asheville

GAP Report for 8/10/26

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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 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...

GAP Report for 3/9/26

0 Items Asheville considering building massive performing arts center on The Block (updated) Asheville needs anti-displacement guardrails in next year’s budget (updated) Buncombe County needs to adopt an anti-displacement policy Asheville needs to adopt an...

GAP Report for 3/2/26

0 Items Asheville considering building massive performing arts center on The Block (updated) Asheville needs anti-displacement guardrails in next year’s budget (report back) Buncombe County needs to adopt an anti-displacement policy Asheville needs to adopt an...

GAP Report for 2/23/26

0 Items Asheville considering building massive performing arts center on The Block (updated) Asheville needs anti-displacement guardrails in next year’s budget (new) Buncombe County needs to adopt an anti-displacement policy Asheville needs to adopt an...

GAP Report for 2/16/26

0 Items 0 Items Buncombe County needs to adopt an anti-displacement policy (updated) Asheville needs to adopt an anti-displacement policy (updated) 0 Items Asheville considers building performing arts center next to The Block Updated item: Buncombe County needs to...

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Meetings this Week

  • Week of 9/14/26

    The Buncombe County Commission meets this Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 3 pm for a briefing and then again at 5 pm for their regular meeting at 200 College Street in downtown Asheville in the Commission Chambers on the Third Floor. You can attend the meeting in person or watch it online via Buncombe County's Facebook page. The full agenda for the briefing can be found here and for the regular meeting here