Friends of Lexington Avenue
We’re a group of concerned Asheville downtown business owners, residents, advocates, neighbors and friends who want to ensure that 60+ small businesses and 1000+ residents along with the unique greenscape and character of Lexington Avenue are protected. That is why we are saying to the City of Asheville and Duke Energy NO LAND SWAP to build a colossal downtown substation.
We believe the City of Asheville needs to uphold their pledge to make downtown project reviews transparent, predictable, and inclusive of community input.
Duke Energy should use their current site at 72 Rankin to replace or improve the current substation and they’ve said they could do this. The greater downtown Asheville community deserves a substation at the current location that’s designed by Duke Energy and the City of Asheville and promotes sustainability; leads to net-zero tree canopy loss; and recognizes the impact on the well-being of everyone who lives, works and visits here.
Join us in taking action. Together we can stop the substation move.
Get involved today!
Meet the Community
With its tree-lined sidewalks and vibrant mix of small businesses, boutiques, restaurants and bars, Lexington Avenue charms locals and visitors alike. Come visit this creative corridor — home to some of downtown’s oldest businesses — and see why the American Planning Association has called it one of the country’s great streets.
Claire Watson
Co-owner of Moonlight Makers on Rankin Avenue, a few blocks down from both the substation and its proposed new location.
Claire on the proposed land swap and substation move:
“It’s like they have no concept that it would affect anyone. Like all those businesses on Lexington looking up … I’m not sure they would even make it if that design went through.”
“I really think it’s taking Asheville in the wrong direction.” Claire fears a “ripple effect” if plans move forward, with businesses shutting down if vital neighborhood character is lost and a new substation looms over the block. – From the Citizen-Times
Robin Stevens
Noble Cider’s sales, marketing and retail manager. Noble Downtown Taproom is on Rankin Avenue, next to the proposed new substation location.
Robin on the cancellation of the Duke community meeting and impact of a substation move:
“I believe there were a lot of people coming and we were all very disappointed that it [the Duke community meetings] didn’t happen. I came along merrily this morning ready to communicate freely with Duke and the City and I discovered it was cancelled. We have people sitting right here enjoying our cider. If there’s going to be a huge power station there, with a huge wall right next to us, we need to know because it will make this location a very different place.” – From WLOS-13
