For The Love of Community
I promised myself this would be a positive post. And don’t get me wrong—there will be positivity here—but I think it’s essential to acknowledge the reality we’re all living in, one that changes day by day, even minute by minute. Have I said this before in another post? Probably. But it bears repeating.
Yesterday, I finally made it out to vote on the last day of early voting. I’d been trying all week, but my schedule was packed, and when I did have time, the lines were longer than I could manage. I was looking forward to being in community with my neighbors, doing our part in this civic ritual. I headed to the Grant Center, located between downtown and the River Arts District.
I’ve been avoiding the River Arts District until I felt ready to face the level of destruction. I’ve seen it in the news and through the grant applications I process, but witnessing it firsthand is something else entirely. I planned to go down there this week, before leaving for my honeymoon.
As I drove to the Dr. Wesley Grant Southside Community Center, it was 8:45 AM. I passed Olde London Road, our local European football bar, bustling with patrons watching a match. The bar, along with several other great businesses, is owned by longtime Asheville resident, Amber Arthur. She rocks. As I continued past Pink Dog Creative, which is helping to house some artists who lost their studios, everything seemed “normal”—until I reached the stop sign.
Beyond that stop sign, the street was lined with towering piles of trash bags and debris. Doors stood open to businesses that can no longer be inhabited. The contrast struck me hard. One moment, I was seeing a bar full of life, and the next, I was hit by this stark reminder of all that’s been lost. I started to cry. I knew the damage was extensive, but the jarring shift from one end of the street to the other drove it home. That’s the reality right now—so many highs and lows, sometimes within the same block. It reminds me to roll with it, to be gentle with myself and others.
So, that’s the hard part. Now, let me tell you about some things that have brought me joy.
Halloween Hangs
I had the most amazing time on Halloween. It was like for a brief moment everybody felt like they could let loose and take a break. Charlie and I went to West Asheville to hang out with our friends Adam and Emily at their house on Vermont Avenue. This street always goes all out for Halloween and this year was no exception. They close the street, the decorations are over the top, and every year the gas station at the end of the street hosts a dance party in the parking lot. Yes, you read that right. This is definitely something that I would file under the #ThatsSoAsheville category. It was great to be hanging out with a bunch of folks and it not be focused on disaster relief.
The Possibly of What Could Be
There’s a palpable excitement right now about the chance to rebuild our community with intention. Like many places, Asheville and its surrounding areas have been “loved to death.” I think we’re all familiar with the cycle: an affordable, vibrant place attracts newcomers (often creatives who add to its arts and culture), which makes it even more desirable. As more people move in, real estate prices soar, ultimately pricing out long-time residents and those who contributed to the city’s unique aesthetic. I know I’m oversimplifying, but you get the idea. And I have to give a special shoutout to Asheville’s natives—I’m not one myself. I’ve lived here for 26 years and have worked to help make Asheville what it is today, but there are those born and raised here who were doing this long before any of us tourists arrived.
I’m no expert on urban planning, but I’ve always had a passion for strategic planning and economic development. Yes, I’m the kind of person who watches Asheville Airport Authority meetings. I’m really fun at parties—seriously, invite me over sometime!
I don’t know exactly what intentional rebuilding will look like, and I’m not sure anyone does just yet specifically for our area. But I do think that a mix of public and private partnerships is essential. It’s important that a diverse array of people and organizations have a seat at the table to make sure the process is equitable and that accountability is maintained.
Tourism is our main industry which many of our independent restaurants, artists, and retail businesses depend on. We need tourism, and we need to find that balance of sustainable tourism. There are initiatives around this, including Thrive Asheville, which I have had the pleasure to be involved with in the past. I I also think diversifying our economic base is crucial. A variety of factors go into attracting businesses to our area. Things like culture, public transit, diversity, natural resources, environmental impact, and human capital all play a part in being a desirable place to set up shop. Having an airport that can handle business travel is one of those things, hence the meetings I referenced watching above.
I believe one of the most essential aspects of our rebuilding efforts is ensuring that we retain the creatives and small businesses that make WNC so unique. There are already several initiatives underway to support this, some of which I’m involved in, others I’m aware of—and undoubtedly more that I haven’t yet encountered. I’m truly excited to see what comes of this momentum. My hope, though, is that we don’t get so caught up in returning to day-to-day routines that we miss the chance to actively shape the future we envision for our community.
Hot Tip for Asheville Locals: Consider joining a City of Asheville board or commission. Is it the most exciting way to spend your time? Maybe not. But it’s a valuable opportunity to learn how our local government operates and to connect with city officials. Look, maybe you’ll find it to be fun. I don’t want to yuck anybody’s yum.
To make it easy, here’s a link to current vacancies. That way, the next time you voice your opinions about city matters on Facebook, you can do so with some firsthand knowledge (wink, wink).
I was hoping to highlight the unsung heroes of this disaster—our pets, those lovable, mischievous companions—but alas, it’s halftime for my Lions. This game is part of my self-care routine, so I’ll have to save that for another time.