It’s official: ground has broken on the Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Community Center.
The $6.7 million project, known as the “Recreation Phase,” will bring a multi-purpose gym, an outdoor basketball court, community meeting rooms, a neighborhood swimming pool, and other enhancements. Here’s what you need to know. |
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42% of the project's costs will be spent locally in WNC. | Rendering via City of Asheville
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First, a little history on the center
The center is named after the late pastor Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr., a prominent leader + activist in Asheville during the civil rights movement. Dr. Grant served at a variety of local churches and is credited with founding the Worldwide Missionary Baptist Tabernacle Church in 1958.
In 2010, the center launched its “first phase” at the former site of the Livingston Park and the WC Reid Center (the latter of which evolved into the Arthur R. Edington Education and Career Center). Known as the “Cultural Art Phase,” the LEED-certified 7,897-sqft building includes an auditorium, three classrooms, office space, storage, and parking.
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The gym will have bleachers, plus structures for basketball + volleyball. | Rendering via City of Asheville |
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More on those developments In the words of Parks & Recreation Director D. Tyrell McGirt, this phase of the project aims to “deliver new spaces to connect with the outdoors and other neighbors” and to “build cultural, recreational, and community experiences that celebrate the legacy of the neighborhood.”
In addition to the gym, the outdoor basketball court, meeting rooms, and pool, enhancements will include: more parking spaces, new sidewalks, solar panels (which aim to generate upward of 60% of the building's energy use), a rain garden, landscape improvements, and picnic areas. |
Expect poolside lounge space, toddler play zones + changing rooms. | Via City of Asheville |
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About that pool…
Once complete, the 3,275-sqft pool will be one of three city pools (the others being Malvern Hills + Recreation Park). The decision to add a pool to the facility came about after the City of Asheville closed the 80+ year-old, segregation-era Walton Street Pool.
The project’s timeline Construction is expected to last about 14 months, meaning the center will likely be open by summer of 2023. We can't wait to dip our toes in the new pool.
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Today -
Star Wars Day: May The Fourth Be With You | Wed., May 4 | 3-5 p.m. | East Asheville Library | Free | Bring your kid for a day of Star Wars-themed activities, including DIY lightsabers + a spaceship photo-op.
- TPDF Information Session | Wed., May 4 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority hosts an information session for the Tourism Production Development Fund 2022 grant cycle.
Thursday
Friday -
Hot Chip | Fri., May 6 | 9 p.m.-12 a.m. | The Orange Peel | $42 | This English synthpop band draws influences from house and disco.
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Snail Mail | Fri., May 6 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $25 | Listen to the American indie rock solo project of guitarist and singer Lindsey Jordan. 🎸
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Chamber Challenge 5K | Fri., May 6 | 4 p.m. | Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Ave. + Virtual | $40+ | Local businesses compete in a 5K race to promote wellness. 👟
Saturday - BomBassic Album Release | Sun., May 7 | 8:30 p.m | Isis Music Hall, 743 Haywood Rd. | $30 | DJ Morphonic opens for this Asheville duo’s album release. 🎵
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Pop-up Mini Fair | Sun., May 7 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Folk Art Center, 382 Blue Ridge Pkwy. | Free | Shop from different folk artists who specialize in everything from bladesmithing to glassblowing.
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We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends. |
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Weather -
79º | Scattered thunderstorms | 50% chance of rain
Open -
Mehfil, a new restaurant that focuses on northern + vegetarian-friendly Indian cuisine, is officially open (5 Biltmore Ave). The building (which formerly housed Hana) has transformed into a colorful venue with a variety of breads, tandoori, and biryani. Pro tip: Try the $9.99 daily lunch buffet from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 🍛(Mountain Xpress)
Development -
A new ABC store retail space is in the works for downtown Asheville at the corner of Broadway and Cherry St. (where an ABC storage facility currently exists). Eventually, the plan is to replace the store at 179 S. Charlotte St. The new space will more than double the size of the Charlotte St. location. 🥃(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Eat -
The next Honey Badger Bakes bagel pop-up is slated for Sat., May 7, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. at cup of jomo (110 Black Mountain Ave., Black Mountain). There will be plain, everything, and rye caraway bagels available, with the choice of lox, bacon egg and cheese, or scallion cream cheese toppings. 🥯
- Bouchon, a French restaurant in downtown Asheville, has added Sunday brunch to its weekly service. Available from
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., the menu includes French onion soup, cheese boards, quiche, crêpes, and steak + eggs.
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Looking for Mother’s Day dining specials? Check out this list from the Asheville Citizen-Times, which includes details on brunches, take-home dinners, and seasonal specials.
Outdoors -
Grandfather Mountain State Park is joining in on the fun this firefly season. The inaugural “Glows: Bioluminescent Evenings on Grandfather Mountain” will offer folks a chance to view synchronous fireflies. Tickets go on sale Mon., May 23, with the viewing nights taking place Sun., June 26, Wed., June 29, and Fri., July 1. 🔦(WLOS)
Regional -
The Appalachian Regional Commission has announced a new $250,000 multistate grant for Appalachia’s outdoor tourism industry. The commission hopes the funds will develop a replicable model to maximize the region’s outdoor tourism industry + fuel economic development across Central Appalachia.
Biz -
Kudzu Brands has announced a $10,000 branding package giveaway for one minority-owned businesses or nonprofit in WNC. The package includes brand story development, logo design, and marketing collateral creation. To qualify for the giveaway, apply by May 20.
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The Asheville-based startup Sourhouse has raised more than $100K in a kickstarter for its Goldie product. The product, which is a greenhouse-esque storage system for sourdough starters, offers a solution for starters that are harmed by chilly temperature.
Asked -
We know Asheville has plenty of dog-friendly spots — but where do y’all think are the most awesome places to bring your pooch in the 828? We want to know the local spots where both dogs and their owners can live their best life. Let us know.
Health -
No one wants to think that it might be difficult to become pregnant. However, many couples experience difficulty when trying to conceive. Reproductive endocrinologist, Johanna Von Hoffe, MD, explains when it may be time to seek help.*
Featured Home -
Custom modern home in the heart of Asheville | 3 BD, 3 BA | $575,000 | Winner of the 2020 Gold Craftsmanship Award, this modern home is ~5 min. from Biltmore Village and features local mahogany cabinetry, hickory flooring, wireless controlled HVAC, a spacious deck + more.*
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Roses are cool and all, but how about a bouquet you can sip on? The forthcoming small-batch Conservatory Rose Gin — developed by Chemist Spirits + Biltmore Wines — will debut Sun., May 7, 12-9 p.m. at Chemist’s tasting room (151 Coxe Ave.).
The rose petals used for the liquor, before undergoing an aging process in Biltmore wine barrels, were actually hand-plucked heirlooms from the Biltmore Estate's Conservatory Gardens. Producers say this process results in a layered flavor of pink + white rose, lemon cream, vanilla, ripe strawberry, and grapefruit peel.
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Editor's pick: Have y'all checked out La Bodega by Cúrate's new Wine and Pintxo Bar? Brook and I had a fabulous time there this past weekend, enjoying wine by the half glass + nibbling on tasty bites of steak tartare, anchoa mantequilla, and tinned seafood.
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