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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