by John Nolen, Ph.B., ScD.

[City Seal]

MCMXXII

Asheville, North Carolina

by John Nolen, Ph.B., ScD.

[City Seal]

Asheville, North Carolina

The motive of the City Commissioners in printing the City Facts for general distribution is that it may be studied by the tax payers and citizens of Asheville and their purposes toward it determined upon the basis of a full knowledge of the arrangements and changes proposed therein.

The City Plan, as prepared by Dr. John Nolen and adopted by the preceding administration is merely a groundwork of ideas tentatively designed to improve existing situations in Asheville and largely to control the future growth of the city. But the plan is only a plan, we should remember, and its realization or rejection rests in the decisions that public sentiment shall formulate in regard to its utility and desirability as a whole and the practicability of its several parts and details.

It is hoped, therefore that the people of Asheville will most carefully examine and learn the City Plan as presented herein. And from time to time, as matters relating to it are considered by the City Commissioners, expressions of the will of the citizenship of Asheville will be given the hearing and heed.

Suggestion from any interested source will cordially be welcomed at all times.

John H. Cathey, Mayor and Commissioner of Finance ; Frank L. Conder, Commissioner of Public Works ; C. H. Bartlett, Commissioner of Public Safety, City Hall, Asheville, North Carolina, 1925.

Note -- This booklet will no doubt possess considerable historical value. Preserve it, then for future generations to see.

"The City Planning Board shall study the resources, possibilities and needs of the city or town, -- and make recommendation on any matter which will in its opinion make the community a better place to live in or a better place to work in."

This, briefly, summarizes the duties of the City Planning Commission as given in the Act of the Legislature which created it.  And the City Plan for Asheville, the work of Dr. John Nolen, herewith presented, represents the efforts of this Commission to make Asheville "a better place to live in and a better place to work in."

The City Plan suggests the steps which, in our opinion, the city government should take in order to make Asheville a city beautiful; to harmonize the work of improvement into a definite, unified program of civic progress.  The Plan recommends remedies for such existing conditions which are now, or may in the future, be found objectionable or a hindrance to the growth of the City.

The City Planning Commission presents the plan of Dr. John Nolen to the citizens of Asheville, then, for its final disposition which depends upon their sentiment regarding it.

Years must pass before every objective named in the Plan can possibly be realized.  It will be the work of a generation.  For that reason no set of definite recommendations can be any more than a flexible outline--subject to the expressed will of the people.

The Plan is being presented in book form so that Asheville citizens can easily familiarize themselves with its provisions and make their criticisms or suggestions regarding it.

These criticisms and suggestions are invited, and this body will give them the careful consideration which they deserve.

The City Planning Commission: George Stephens, A. G. Barnett, D. Hiden Ramsey, Harry L. Parker, and the City Commissioners, ex officio

Asheville's City Plan, as presented in the following pages, affects the Department of Finance in that his vision of the City Government must provide the funds necessary to carry out its recommendation.

Without funds to put it into operation, the Plan must necessarily remain a mere paper dream.  To realize every objective named in the City Plan, and at once, would so far as finances are concerned, be impossible.  There are many suggestions in the Plan which cannot even be considered during the present generation for this same reason--lack of funds.

But it was not Dr. Nolen's idea, nor the idea of the City Planning Commission, that Asheville should lay everything else aside and devote its every energy to carrying out the Plan.  The work must naturally be spread over a long period of years.  Every recommendation presents a separate objective, to be attained when conditions and finance make its realization logical.

All new work that is being done in Asheville is being done so far as possible in accordance with the Plan.  Waste of effort, waste of time and money in useless experiments, is thus avoided because the City knows in advance what it hopes to achieve.

That is how a City Plan makes economy possible.  That is one reason why the adoption of a City Plan in Asheville meets with the hearty approval of the Department of Finance.

John H. Cathey, Mayor and Commissioner of Finance

The adoption of a City Plan in Asheville affects the Department of Public Works inasmuch as this Department must supervise the work of improvement it suggests and, in many cases, actually do that work.  With the Department of Public Work rests the responsibility for carrying out this Plan; for putting into operation the vision of Dr. John Nolen and the City Planning Commission--to make Asheville a city beautiful

For several reasons, among the most important of which is a lack of funds, a long term of years must pass before every feature of the Plan can be achieved.  A number of its recom-mendations have already been realize.  Others will become realties within the next few years.  And others will require more than a decade before they can be carried out.

But the Plan is the constant guide of this Department.  We are working according to its recommendations in everything that we do and, so far as is practicably possible, it is being carried out to the letter.

It is the wisdom on the part of the City Commission to print the City Plan in this form and distribute it to the Citizens of Asheville for their careful consideration. The law requires that public notice be given before any important improvement can be carried out in the City and that hearings be given to those taxpayers who may be affected.

Study the Plan then, form your opinions regarding it, and when the time comes, your criticisms if there be any will be given most careful attention by the proper authorities.

Frank L. Conder, Commissioner of Public Works

A City with a well-designed system of streets, convenient and adequate, is much easier policed; much easier protected by the fire department, because of the saving in running time between various sections of the City thus made possible.

But it is chiefly in the measures proposed for the relief of Asheville's traffic problem, rapidly assuming serious proportions through the increasing use of the automobile, that the City Plan affects the work of the Department of Public Safety.

The City Plan, presented in this book, proposes to reroute several of the streetcar lines and suggests that street car transfer points be located on private property to relieve the congestion of traffic in Pack Square.  It advocates the establishment of loading  stations for the bus lines which operate in the City.  It provides for the widening of some of our most important thoroughfares, the establishment of traffic squares at our most crowded street intersections, and suggests new streets to permit more direct passage to parts of the City heretofore not easily accessible.

From the viewpoint of the Department of Public Safety these recommendations seem wise indeed because: it is only through the revision of our street system that any lasting traffic relief can be accomplished.  That is why the Department of Public Safety gives its hearty endorsement to this step on the part of the City Commission to give the citizens of Asheville a more thorough understanding of the Plans and its suggestions.

C. H. Bartlett, Commissioner of Public Safety

The present city government of Asheville has been earnestly and faithfully striving to carry out the program of development which Dr. John Nolen  has prepared for a guide.

The plot of ground suggested for a High School athletic field has been acquired, and was formally opened to the public last year.

The cross-town street, which runs from the river bridge to the Market street intersection, and which provides a thoroughfare to West Asheville, has been opened.  Wherever the opportunity has presented itself, streets have been widened, and their corners rounded off according up the recommendations of the Plan.

Because of the increase of property values on the College Street location which Dr. Nolen suggested as the site of Asheville's civic center, the center has been moved to the northeastern corner of Pack Square the New City Market Building is already under construction.  Plans are being opened up accordance with the City Plan wherever practicable and as rapidly as possible.  The new City Recreation Park, including the 56-acre lake and the Municipal golf course and playgrounds, will be partially opened May15.

The Impounding Reservoir, newly acquired, with a 400,000,000 gallon water capacity, doubles Asheville's water supply.

The City Plan recommends the widening of College Street, Biltmore, Patton Avenues.  This matter has been presented to the abutting property owners on these streets and because the City does not have the money necessary to carry out the work, the project has been, for the time being, abandoned.

A program of education which has as its object the controlling of the smoke nuisance has been undertaken in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, and a Smoke Control Commission has been appointed.

The Asheville City Plan

CITY PLANNING REPORT FOR ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

Asheville stands today on threshold of new state in its evolution. Asheville Today

Asheville today is on the threshold of a new state in its evolution.  Since the World War, the South has been coming back and today its prospects for the future are brighter than ever before.  It is no longer entirely an agricultural section of the country but is rapidly developing its natural resources, diversifying its crops and entering extensively into the manufacturing fields of the world.

The increased popularity of the automobile and its use for distant touring makes the more out-of-the-way places as accessible today as the main line cities were a few years ago.  The good road movement is only in its infancy and every year will see big improvements in highway development making possible a wider and wider range for motor travel.

Asheville can be hub for National Western Carolina Playground

Within the year there has been started a new movement to make Western North Carolina one of the playgrounds of the Nation.  The mountains, the climate, and the geographical location of this region produce a combination of conditions that offers unlimited possibilities for development.  Because of its central relation to the mountains and other points of interest Asheville can well be the hub of the entire movement.  To fit the city for the part it is to play in the future of the region is one of the chief objects of the Survey and the goal of the City Planning Studies.

The Asheville City Plan

Existing Conditions

City Plan is result of extensive survey of existing conditions.

As a basis for the City Planning Studies a survey has been made showing the Existing Conditions as they were in 1922.  These investigations were carried out in a broad general way but designed to establish the main facts that governs and control the activities and growth of Asheville. Until broad questions of policy and comprehensive methods of procedure are agreed upon there is little value in going into minute details of individual problems. A single problem taken by itself cannot be satisfactorily solved until it is properly oriented with other factors to which it is vitally related in the larger scheme.

Synopsis of Survey

Survey covers Asheville's History, Physical  Aspects, Statistics, Streets, Transportation, Business and Industry, Housing, Health, Recreation, Attractions and Public Utilities

The data, maps and other material collected in the preliminary investigation was brought together in a Field Book which was used as a general reference for the ensuing City Planning work.

The questions covered by the Survey are shown by the following synopsis:

The Asheville City Plan

The Asheville City Plan

County of Buncombe had christened as Morristown received its first legislative charter and was duly and lawfully constituted thenceforward "A Town by the name of Asheville." In an act March 8, 1883, the spelling was corrected to Asheville.

Western North Carolina

The automobile is changing the radius of the city life.             It is becoming more and more evident that the radius of city life is changing, largely through the development of the automobile and good roads, but also through the change in ideas of  pleasure and recreation and the construction of comfortable homes, inns and hotels remote from the cities. These changes accompanied by intelligent organization are leading those who are interested in the western part of North Carolina to plan for the development of that entire region in such a way to make it a more popular resort for tourists.  Asheville is the logical capital for this movement, and if the city itself is to get the full benefit of the success of the Western North Carolina movement, it should carry out to the full the city planning proposals upon which the successful development of the region depends. Asheville needs better Street System, more Parks, a Civic Center. If Asheville is to an appropriate center for Western North Carolina mountain life, it needs a much better street system, the reservation of parks and open spaces, the development of an appropriate civic center and other municipal improvements making for convenience, beauty and pleasure.

National Forests Reserve

Western North Carolina is Heart of Southern Appalachian Forest Reserve. Western North Carolina is Heart of Southern Appalachian Forest Reserve, containing Boone, Mount Mitchell, Pisgah and Nantahala Forests.  Pisgah and Mt. Mitchell Forest reserves are in Buncombe County.  The Pisgah Forest, comprising 80,600 acres formerly a part of the Vanderbilt estate, is now a National Forest, and on October 17, 1916,

The Asheville City Plan

was by proclamation of the President of the United States made The Pisgah National Forest and Game Preserve.  The Beginning of this forest is within 10 miles of the city limits of Asheville.

Situated in Asheville is the office and experimental station of the U.S. Forest Service, and also the main office of the Appalachian Forest Experimental Station.

Pleasure vs. Health Resorts

City is well know as Health and Pleasure Resort. Asheville is well known both as a health and pleasure resort.  Its hotels and inns cater to pleasure seekers who come in great numbers annually, and the hospitals and sanitariums attract many seeking health.  To some extent these two purposes conflict with each other, but this is largely due to the fact that no effort has been made to separate the two purposes and take care of them independently and in such a way as not to interfere one with the other.  The new zoning law will to some extent guide the development and guard the pleasure seekers from such objection as there might be from an uncontrolled development of hospitals and sanitariums.  In addition to such public regulation as may be obtained through a zoning ordinance, the semi-public agencies of the city, such as the Chamber of Commerce, for example, co-operating with private owners of property, can help work out this problem in such a way as to obtain for Asheville the benefits of being both a pleasure and health resort. Cooperation of Individuals and Public Agencies can give Asheville benefit of being both Pleasure and Health Resort.

Asheville's Resources

Asheville is Center of Southern Water Power Area; of Mineral and Forest Resources of South. Asheville is the center of the Southern Water Power area between Washington, DC., Birmingham and Montgomery, and is very near the center of the mineral and forest resources found in this area.  These resources include in addition to the water power large deposits of bituminous coal and other mineral products as red and brown iron ore, magnetite, maganee [sic]  and chrome ore, gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, zinc, aluminum, asbestos, corundum, fullers earth, garnet, graphite, gypsum and mineral pigments, barite, flourspar [sic] , phosphate rock

The Asheville City Plan

mica, pyrite, rutile, soapstone, talc, zircon and monazite, kaolin, fire clay, brick shale, feldspar, silica, ball clay, marble, granite and slate; limestone and shale.  In addition there are found practically all classes of building material such as:  cement, lime, variety of building stone, chestnut, spruce and balsam timber, mixed hardwoods and long and short leaf pine. Many classes of building material are found here.

Within a forty mile radius of Asheville there is 200,000 horse power of available water power  undeveloped, and the outdoor working season for this region is practically 365 days out of the year. 200,000 horse power of water power within 40 miles of city still undeveloped.

Asheville has many other resources.  Asheville has many other resources. The chief of these affecting a resort, however, are scenery, climate, hotels and country clubs.  The mountain scenery surrounding Asheville is probably not equalled by that surrounding any other Southern city with such facilities and attractions for tourists.  Moreover, Asheville has not merely mountain and river scenery of unusual beauty, but it has an all-the-year-round climate which that no other American mountain city compares.  Its hotels are first class, and some of them know not only throughout this country, but in Europe as well.  Hotels have international fame. Among the most important may be mentioned the Grove Park Inn, Kenilworth Inn, Battery Park Hotel, The Manor and Langren Hotel.

The country clubs of Asheville, the Asheville Country Club, and the Biltmore Forest Country Club, stand out even among the most famous of the winter and summer resorts of the United States.  Probably no single factor counts for so much in a modern resort as provision made for golf.  Golf Clubs have important place in modern resort. Convenient arrangements have been worked out by which visitors to Asheville can obtain the privileges of the country clubs.

In addition to the opportunities for golf provided by the private country clubs, the City of Asheville should lay out and develop as a feature of its new park system a municipal golf course in the Country Park at the northern end of the city, or in connection with Biltmore Field.

The Asheville City Plan

The topography of the City of Asheville is on the whole very rough.  The land rises abruptly from the French Broad River, leaving only a narrow strip of bottom land which is subject to flood.  Many branches or creeks have cut ravines to their outlets in the Swannanoa and French Broad Rivers, leaving plateau-like ridges.  The thickly built-up sections of the city are found on these ridges and the valleys made by creeks have scattered development except in the broad valley made by the so-called Town Branch, which has a thickly populated negro district at its head and a main thoroughfare leading from the Railroad Station to the business center of the city.

On the east side of the French Broad River the city has a general slope west from the Sunset Mountains to the river.  On the west side of the river the general character of the land is that of a plateau sloping abruptly to the river and more gently toward Hominy Creek, Cannie Branch and Smith Mill Creek, which are all boundaries of the city.

The average elevation of the City of Asheville is 2,250 feet. The Government bench mark is located on the south side of the Post Office Building about 4 feet up from the sidewalk at an elevation of 2,210 feet.  Highest elevation in the city is approximately 2,700 feet.

The mountain section of North Carolina is a high plateau bounded on the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains and on the west by a chain known under the names of Iron, Smoky and Unaka Mountains.  Between these are cross chains called, beginning at the north, the Black, Pisgah and New Found Mountain Ranges.

The French Broad River drains this high plateau country and flows into the Tennessee River, which flows into the Ohio River.  Asheville is located at the junction of the French Broad and the Swannanoa Rivers.  The city includes in its corporate limits West Asheville, which is located on the west bank of the French Broad River.

The Asheville City Plan

French Broad River

French Broad divides City into two distinct localities. The French Broad River is the main topographical feature within the boundaries of the city.  The river which is from 300 to 400 feet in width, enters the Asheville area from the southwest corner, flows north, then sharply to the east, and finally north again through the city.  The river, and its steep banks, forms a decided break in the city, separating it into two distinct localities, Asheville proper and West Asheville.

Railroad follows the valley route. The railroad has followed the valley route into and through Asheville, and what few industries there are that have been developed are located so as to obtain the rail facilities and the use of the river water.  There is still a small amount of level land adjacent to the river and within the next few years this will undoubtedly be used for further factory development.  Other sections of the river bank are too steep and too far removed from the railroad for such use, and could best serve the community as a whole if acquired for park purposes.

Swannanoa River

Swannanoa Valley should be developed for Park purposes to prevent depreciation of high-class residential property. The Swannanoa River, a branch of the French Broad, flows from east to west along the southern boundary of the city, separating Asheville from Biltmore Village.  West from Biltmore Avenue the river valley is quite broad and here, to the north of the river, will be located the new passenger station and the railroad yards for the passenger train service.  South, the river is bounded by the Biltmore Estate.  To prevent this part of the stream from being developed in an undesirable way and thus depreciating adjacent high class residential property, and at the same time making a poor approach to the city by train, we believe all the valley not needed by the  railroad should be developed for park and playground purposes.

East from Biltmore Avenue the banks of the Swannanoa River should be improved in connection with the Swannanoa Drive, the Southern National Highway to Black Mountain.

The Asheville City Plan

Ravines and Creeks

City's Valley and Ravine Sections should be under public control. Due to the character of the topography the Asheville district is cut by numerous rather deep ravines which lead from the upper levels to the rivers.  Within the built-up part of the city these creek valleys have had a haphazard development and are in many places almost in the slum class.  These deep ravines do not lend themselves to good housing and living conditions and steps should be taken to prevent such use, in the still unoccupied ravines, as exists within the built-up area of the city.  These valleys should become public property or at least be under public control to prevent nuisances and to provide natural drainage and sewer locations.  Many of them have been included in the proposed park system.

Flood Data

Normal flow of French Broad is 2 feet on Government Gauge. A government water gauge is set up at Asheville in the French Broad River.  The normal flow of the river is 2 feet on this gauge; 4 and 4½ feet in normal flood stage.  At 4 and 4½ feet the water is at the tops of its banks and no damage is done to the surrounding land.  The flood of 1916, the greatest ever known in the history of Asheville, did great damage to bridges and the property next to the river.  The water backed up the Swannanoa River, causing much damage and loss of life.

Climate

Asheville's Average Yearly Temperature is 55 degrees. The mean annual temperature of Asheville is 55 degrees.  The warmest month is July, with an average temperature of 71.7 degrees; the coldest month February, with an average temperature of 38.1 degrees.  The total range is from 28.8 degrees to 74.1 degrees.  The records show the number of days of sunshine 256, and the annual rainfall of about 40 inches.

Climate gives Asheville unique place among Mountain Resorts. It is evident from the above facts that it is the matter of attraction due to climate Asheville is unique among American mountain resorts.

The Asheville City Plan

Vegetation

Region is rich in variety of native trees and shrubs.  The Asheville region is peculiarly rich in the variety of native trees and shrubs, and an effort should be made to give distinction to the region of planting in parks and private places a wide range of the trees, shrubs and vines that flourish in Asheville.  Among the most desirable are: Trees--Tulip, Magnolia, Oaks, Chestnut Oak, Hickory, Carolina Hemlock, Sassafras, Flowering Dogwood, Judas; Shrubs--Rhododendron, Azaleas, Mountain Laurel, Large variety of Cornos and Viburnum.

Agriculture

Asheville country is becoming an apple-growing center for which City is logical distribution point. The country around Asheville offers every evidence of being a natural apple region.  The apples are fine in quality and the amount raised is increasing every year.

There has been difficulty in marketing the crops in the past few years, but as the new orchards come in and this regions gains a national recognition as an apple growing country this problem will solve itself.  Asheville is the logical distribution for this product.

Beef cattle and the dairy industry are particularly well suited to the country around Asheville, because of the all-year-round grazing.  Around Asheville a very few truck gardens compared to the demand of the local market.

Population

Population of 50,000 in 1940 is foreseen. In 1900 Asheville has a population of 14,649, in 1910, 18,762, and in 1920, 28,504.  Based on the above, it is reasonable to believe that by 1940 Asheville will have a population of about 50,000 people, and the

The Asheville City Plan

Decentralization offers remedy for congestion of city life. One of the most difficult and embarrassing problems of modern cities is that of congestion.  This applies to small as well as large cities, altho (sic)  not, of course, to such a great degree.  The remedy for congestion is to be had in a number of ways, one of which, that has not been utilized to any great extent, is that of decentralization.  This principle can be applied both to residential and industrial development, and in the case of residential development the units can be made more self-contained than is usual. and much can be done to decentralize the shop areas and recreation by providing local shops and amusements.

Railroad Transportation

Asheville is on Main Lines of Southern Railroad. Asheville is on the Southern Railway main lines between Washington and Memphis, and also between Cincinnati and Charleston, S.C., with a branch line from Asheville to Murphy, connecting at Murphy with the Louisville and Nashville to Atlanta.

Only three grade crossings in City. There are only three grade crossings in Asheville; Lyman Street, Haywood Road and Biltmore Avenue in Biltmore.  Separation of grades has already been provided for by an overpass on Meadow Road, Leicester Road and West Asheville Bridge.  By the new plan for the relocation of the railroad station on Biltmore Avenue and Swannanoa Drive, the crossing at Biltmore Avenue should be eliminated.

Relocating the Railroad Station

Railroads are well located in City but removal of Passenger Station to Biltmore is advocated. The railroads in Asheville are well located, coming into the city from the north and west, following the valley of the French Broad River, and running to the south of the city and then turning eastwardly along the valley of the Swannanoa.  This is a good

The Asheville City Plan

general location, and with careful planning, proper consideration could have been given to public park reservations along the river valleys in connection with the railroad right-of-way.

The chief difficulty with the railroad location, however, is the railroad station.  The present station is on Depot Street near the foot of Bartlett Street in a congested and unpleasant section of the city, which is difficult to get to and from, on account of the heavy grades and the unfavorable width and arrangement of streets.

After a thoroughgoing study of the problem we agreed with the proposal that the new railroad station be located on Biltmore Avenue north of the Swannanoa River, not far from the present Biltmore Village station.  Here we have shown in special study which is submitted, an adequate passenger station with a station park, and a grouping of stores, making provision not only for present needs but also for the future.

Local Street Cars

Street Car Routes. The location of the street car lines is shown on the General Plan. The principal routes are: Riverside Park, Depot and West Asheville via Southside Avenue; Depot and Charlotte Street to Country Club; Grace and Biltmore; East Street and Patton Avenue.

Bus Lines. Most of the cars run on a fifteen minute schedule.  The interurban service is provided by the Asheville and East Tennessee Railroad Company and the Weaverville Line.  There are also bus line as follows: Asheville and Hendersonville; Asheville and Black Mountain; Canton Bus Line--Asheville to Waynesville and Canton.

Rerouting of certain of the car lines is proposed in remedy of Pack Square congestion. The city planners have proposed a revision of the routing of some of the car lines, which has been shown on the diagram which has already been submitted.

The Asheville City Plan

One of the most baffling problems of Asheville is the congestion in Pack Square, due in large part to the fact that the schedules of the street cars require them to wait in the Square for a considerable time.  This difficulty will be partly remedied by the new proposed re-routing of the cars and the relocation of the transfer stations.  It would be further aided by requiring that more of the transfer system of the street cars should be provided for on private property.

Main Thoroughfares

Asheville's thoroughfares must be located in accordance with grade conditions. A diagram of the main thoroughfare system of Asheville does not present the same orderly uniform appearance that a similar diagram of rectangular or more level cities would show.  This is due to the fact that the topography is very much broken and cross cut by valleys and ravines, thus making it necessary to locate the main highways more in accordance with grade conditions than direct connections.  Dixie Highway is Main Trunk Route through City; Central and Southern National Highways are also important routes. The main trunk highway through Asheville is the Dixie Highway coming in from Weaverville and Knoxville to the north, following over Broadway and Biltmore Avenues and on to Hendersonville to the south.  Two other important traffic routes are: first, Central Highway, passing through West Asheville over Haywood Road west to Pisgah National Forest; second, Southern National Highway, which branches off the Dixie Highway near Biltmore Village and extends east up the valley of the Swannanoa River to Black Mountain.  State Highways are backbone of Asheville's thoroughfare system. These three state highways form the backbone of the thoroughfare system of Asheville.  Branching from these routes  we have shown a system of thoroughfares composed of selected and existing streets, new connections, and in some places new streets that cover the entire city and bring a developed through connection within a half mile of all property likely to be built-up.

It is necessary that chief traffic arteries be widened, and improved. Due to the fact that there is little opportunity to lay our streets parallel to the chief traffic arteries it is necessary that they will be highly improved as to line and grade and that they be given extra width.  The three state highways above mentioned should be at least 80 feet in width where they pass through the city.  All

The Asheville City Plan

other streets shown as part of the thoroughfare system should be at least 60 feet in width.  Many of the existing streets selected to take this future traffic are not now of this width, and before more development takes place on abutting property, building lines should be established to insure their future widening.  The following lists show the more important new streets proposed and the widenings recommended:

New Streets are Suggested. New Streets. Swannanoa Drive to Station Plaza. Valley Street to Southside Avenue. South Liberty Street connections. Tunnel from Clingman Ave. to Roberts Street.  West Chestnut Street to Courtland Avenue.  Oakland Avenue to Biltmore Avenue and Meadow Road with connection to Victoria Road.  Philip Street to Clingman Avenue and to Battery Park Avenue. South Depot to Meadow Road. French Broad Avenue extension. Murdock Avenue to Charlotte Street. Oak Street to Charlotte Street.  Montford Avenue to Riverside Drive. Montford Avenue to French Broad Avenue. Riverside Drive to Lyman Street.  Cherry Street to Merrimon Avenue. Coleman Avenue to Broadway. Patton Square to West Chestnut Street. South Lexington Street to Atkins. Parallel Street south to Patton Avenue. East Street continued.  Lyman Street to Carrier Bridge. West Asheville Bridge to Carrier Bridge.  Riverside Drive. Haywood Road to Swannanoa Avenue. Montana Avenue to Rich Street.  Pennsylvania Avenue to Sumter Street. Hanover Street to Amboy Road. Dunham Street to Brevard Road and Hanover Street. Amboy Road extension. Lanvale Avenue to Louisiana Avenue. Craggy Avenue extensions. Crown Street extensions.

The Asheville City Plan

Dunwell Avenue to Louisiana Avenue. Amboy extension to Hominy Station.  Biltmore and Patton Aves., Broadway and Haywood Road to be widened. Streets Widened to 80': Biltmore Avenue, Patton Avenue, Broadway, Haywood Road. Many other Streets should be widened. Streets Widened to 60': Depot Street, Riverside Drive, Roberts Street, Wellington Avenue, Merrimon Avenue, Amboy Road, Victoria Road, Hanover Street, Meadow Road, Rich Street, Valley Street, Dunham Street, Riverside Drive, Brevard Road, West Chestnut Street, Onley Road, Clinton Avenue, Chestnut Street, Sand Hill Road, Murdock Avenue, Bear Creek Road, College Street, Sulphur Springs Road, Town Mountain Road, Lanvale Avenue, Charlotte Street, Craggy Avenue, Bartlett Street, Louisiana Avenue, Biltmore Avenue, Hazel Road, Victoria Road, Dorchester Street, Beaucatcher Gap, Baker Street, Chunns Cove Road, Westwood Place, Craven Street, Swannanoa Drive.

Existing Street Widths

Asheville Street widths are too narrow, but widenings proposed must be conservative. The street widths are narrow, ranging from 25 feet to 70 feet.  For example, Biltmore Avenue is 55 feet wide; Patton Avenue 51 feet; Broadway 44 feet; College Street 46 feet; and Charlotte Street 50 feet.  Under the proposed plan the important streets have been widened, but the increase in the width has been conservative because of the great difficulty in making widenings in a city with Asheville's topography and present building conditions.

Street Sections

Adoption of Standard Street Services makes uniformity possible. As a part of the report a sheet of typical street sections is included which shows different types of roadways in accordance with their importance as a part of the street system.  One of the chief gains from the adoption of a standard street section is the resulting uniformity of streets that form a continuous system.

The Asheville City Plan

Standard Sections for Streets are described. With a standard section it is possible to develop different parts of the route at different times and yet when the job is finished to have a uniform street.  The sections are based on 8 foot units for roadways and 2 foot units for sidewalks with a minimum allowance of 6 feet for a planting strip where trees are to be used. Slight variations from these units are made where it seems advisable as for instance in the Minor Street Section where an extra 2 feet is allowed in the roadway because of the lack of leeway where only two lines of traffic occur.  In this section also the sidewalk is placed against the curb so as to give more space between the street trees on either side of the street.  The planting strip is dropped below the 6 foot minimum because it this case the lawn area is also available for tree growth.  The sections shown are for Minor Streets, Secondary Streets, Major Streets and Main Thoroughfares outside the business area with a special section showing a Business Street and another special section called a Branch-side Street which shows the type of development proposed along the ravine and in connection with the river parkways.

New Bridges

New bridge at the foot of Hanover Street is suggested. At the present time there are four bridges across the French Broad River connecting Asheville and West Asheville.  They are: Pierson [sic] Bridge at the north, Smith Bridge leading from Spring Street, West Asheville Bridge connecting directly with Haywood Road, and the Carrier Bridge at the bend in the French Broad River.  Over the Swannanoa River and two bridges, one leading to the Biltmore Estate and the other to Biltmore Village.  These bridges are all well placed and serve the present needs.  However, in the future, with the further development of West Asheville and the possibility of the city's having the use for park purposes of a part of meadow land of the Biltmore Estate, a new bridge should be built at the foot of Hanover Street making a direct lead from Biltmore Field to West Asheville Center.  The bridge would also form a connection between the proposed parkways on either bank of the river.

The Asheville City Plan

Parking For Automobiles

New Street program will greatly improve auto-parking problem. In the opinion of most people the provision of space for the parking of automobiles appears to be the most pressing problem of cities. There is no question about its being a pressing problem, and yet its importance as compared with other city planning problems is in many respects exaggerated.

It is a fair question to ask in connection with each city, how far the public can undertake to provide public parking space for private automobiles.  In so far as the public cannot provide such parking space, it must be provided, as already done in many places, on private property.

In the case of Asheville radically improved conditions will result from carrying out the present city planning program.  There will be wider streets, increased space in traffic squares and liberal provision in direct connection with all public buildings, and space in various parts of the city in the park properties to be acquired.

Traffic Squares

Traffic Squares at Street intersections will remedy traffic problem. The traffic problem in cities is one of the most important, due very largely to the increase in the number and use of automobiles. The remedy for present unfavorable conditions is twofold: the increase of facilities for traffic through street widenings, especially the application of the one-way street principle to narrow streets.  The other methods of relief not much employed heretofore is the opening up of traffic squares at important points of street intersection.  Reflection and observation show that the greatest congestion of traffic comes at the intersection of important streets, and that relief there will in many cases largely solve the problem.  Where Traffic Squares will be located. The new city plan for Asheville provides a number of traffic squares at such critical street intersections as, for example:  Brevard Road and Amboy Road; Louisiana Avenue and Mill Creek Parkway; West Asheville Center; Station Plaza; Biltmore Village; Biltmore Avenue & St. Dunstan's Road.

The Asheville City Plan

Patton Square; Southside Plaza; Pack Square; Chestnut Circle; Murdock Triangle; Civic Center.

It should be added that not only do such traffic squares serve to increase convenience in circulation in a city and in the dispatch of business, but they also relieve the monotony of city streets and afford excellent sites for profitable business development.

Chestnut Circle

Local center is suggested for Broadway at Chestnut and East Streets. At the angle in Broadway where Chestnut Street crosses and East Street join we have suggested a local center which we have designated Chestnut Circle. Here a traffic square has been shown, circular in form, around which would be grouped the neighborhood stores and on the park side a field house or community building.  This square would terminate the business development that will eventually extend along Broadway from Pack Square.  The store development about this section would be the local base of supplies for a greater part of what might be called North Asheville.  The accompanying plan with its perspective sketch suggest other details that could be worked out in the building up of this intersection.

Southside Plaza

Southside Plaza to be formed at the intersection of Biltmore and Southside Avenues. South of Patton Avenue we have planned a local square at the intersection of Biltmore and Southside Avenues to which we have given the name of Southside Plaza.  This center would be developed after the manner proposed for Chestnut Circle and would serve the local needs of South Asheville in the same way as the Circle does those of North Asheville.  The little sketch connected with the plan gives an idea of what could be done with simple buildings to make such a square attractive and harmonious.  The surroundings could be planned for stores and shops of the first floor and on important corners with offices and halls above.  The second story of the remainder of the buildings could be used for small apartments. 

The Asheville City Plan

Patton Square

The turn to Clingman Avenue will be made at the proposed Patton Square. As a termination for Patton Avenue and as a local center for the immediate neighborhood we have shown by a sketch plan a development which we have designated Patton Square. It would be at this point that the turn would be made to Clingman Avenue in going to West Asheville by the way of the new cut through the ridge. This square would also be on the circumferential route formed by the new connection north to Chestnut Street so that the extra traffic space at this point would be decidedly advantageous.  If in the development of the stores, at the corner of Haywood Street and Patton Avenue, a building with a tower of some sort could be constructed on the axis of Patton Avenue it would add greatly to the appearance of the street and be one of the outstanding features of Asheville.

Subway to West Asheville Bridge

A Subway under Jefferson Drive will provide a direct connection from Pack Square to West Asheville. At the present time there is no good direct connection between Pack Square and West Asheville due to the roundabout route that it is necessary to take to get from the west end of Patton Avenue to the West Asheville Bridge.  We have suggested that a tunnel, or subway, be built directly east on the line of the present bridge cutting through the ridge to Clingman Avenue.  This subway would pass under Jefferson Drive and cross the creek beyond on an embankment, the fill across the valley being obtained from the excavation through the ridge.

Civic Center

The proposed Civic Center, on the north side of College Street between Spruce and Oak, will be site for Post Office, Library and Community Building. In order to provide sites for future much needed public buildings and at the same time to make possible the centering of the community activities in Asheville, we have proposed the establishment of a Civic Center and have show, by means of a sketch plan, a Scheme for Grouping of Public Buildings.  This area is very close to Pack Square and its activities but is at the same time just out of the lines of traffic although directly accessible.  Here it was proposed to

The Asheville City Plan

cut Walnut Street through from Spruce Street centering it on the High School Building.  In the center of this area we have planned a large square with Vance Street opening into it from the North and with an outlet south to College Street on the axis of the Court House.  About this square would be grouped such buildings as the new Post Office and Federal Building Library, and a large Community Building containing an Auditorium.  The eastern end of this lot would be developed in connection with the High School as a sort of educational center, and here would be located in the future other appropriate public or semi-public buildings.  North of Walnut street extended, between Vance and Oak Streets, would be a very satisfactory site for a small building to be used by the American Legion

Would give Asheville beautiful community center.The property covered by this proposed scheme is not highly developed and should not be expensive to acquire.  Once acquired, however, and developed as proposed this site would give Asheville not only a beautiful but also unique community center.  Under any scheme for the development of this property, streets would have to be projected through it and the lines shown would make the best connections with existing adjoining streets.

Pack Square

Pack Square is Geographical Center of City. Pack Square is, and probably always will be, the center of activity for Asheville. It is geographically in the center of the city, east of the river, and is accessible from West Asheville.  It is also located at the top of the rise and dominates all the surrounding territory.

Development at Eastern End of Square will tie in with Civic Center. Tying in with the proposed Civic Center and supplementing the public buildings there located we have shown an extension and development of the eastern end of Pack Square.  Pack Square is at present very crowded and the open space is entirely inadequate to meet the needs of a larger Asheville.  The plan suggests that the remainder of the area, not al-  [contd. page 32]

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