I just received the City of Asheville’s newsletter. I must admit, I am happy I don’t live there now, as I do not crave entertainment as much as leadership believes citizens ought, and even if I did, I disapprove of government using its iron claw to pay for it, for what that’s worth. Here’s a synopsis:
- A graffiti wall has been made possible through a public/private partnership. The initiative “provides space for outdoor muralists, also known as graffiti artists.” Brent Starck, who owns the property that is providing the wall, hated that the city’s new graffiti ordinance was requiring the cleaning up of many beautiful pieces. He has noticed even busloads of graffiti tourists coming through the thirteen-plus acres he now owns in the River Arts District. With the walls the existing buildings provide for graffitists, Starck would eventually “like to get some food and maybe beer in the mix, too.”
- The City of Asheville, is about to release “Walk into History: Asheville’s Urban Trail.” The documentary, prepared with funds from the city’s Public Art Program, will be unveiled before the March 8 meeting of Asheville City Council.
- The city will be laying new sod in Pack Square Park. The idea induces flashbacks to a simpler time and place, 40-50 years ago, when middle-class, private property owners had the luxury of doing the same.
- Then, there’s the greenways informational meeting mentioned previously. The blurb tells us, “Greenways are beneficial to community members because they provide safe and fun ways for everyone [except folks working every daylight hour to help pay for them] to get around town.”
- Lastly, the city realizes people may be short on cash because of all the taxes and fees they have to pay. So, to help out, they are rolling out Smart Parking. With the new meters, people can now pay parking fees with their credit cards.
