Asheville OKs purchase of land next to downtown bus station

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Asheville City Council voted Tuesday authorize the purchase of 50 Asheland Ave., property that adjoins city-owned property used as the Asheville Rides Transit station.

The city has leased the property since July 2018 to provide monthly paid parking for workers in the downtown area. In 2020, the city went under contract to purchase the property for $2.5 million.

City leaders' goal with the purchase is to build a new downtown transit center or expand the existing one for the city's ART system. They also intend to build a larger, mixed-use development to include affordable housing, commercial space and more.

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Dogwood Health Trust has agreed to put $1.25 million toward the purchase of the property -- half the purchase price -- based on the city's commitment to provide quality affordable housing to lower-income families and equitable access to social services, medical centers and more.

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