From Staff Reports 

In her first State of the City address Oct. 1, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer identified three “innovation districts” that she said are ripe for renovations that could increase the city’s tax base as well as improve quality-of-life for residents.

The address took place in the banquet hall of the U.S. Cellular Center downtown.

In addition to the city’s South Slope area and Charlotte Street, Manheimer said development of vacant property in the River Arts District could significantly boost tax revenues.

She added that the city envisions formally designating the three areas as innovation districts — and residents would be involved in the process.

“And for the city’s part, in addition to leading with its expertise to help create the plan, the city stands ready to invest in the revitalization of these districts with street and sidewalk improvements, things like stormwater infrastructure and off-street parking facilities,” the mayor said. “That is necessary in order to prepare a palette ready for private investment in these districts.”

The RAD is in the embryonic stages of a facelift that will cost tens of millions of dollars. The city announced in September that it will match the $14.6 million it will receive in federal funding for the RAD’s redevelopment.

She lauded the RAD’s transformation as an example of how collaborations can work among residents, businesses and the city.

“We have a lot of opportunities in the future,” Manheimer said. “I am the luckiest mayor in the United States to be the mayor of this great city. Timing is everything. And I serve with a great council.”

The city previously announced plans to make the RAD multimodal with bike lanes, sidewalks and parking, while connecting neighborhoods East of the Riverway to better transportation and to provide access to jobs.

Regarding the South Slope, where development and growth are already happening in the form of breweries and restaurants, Manheimer said that the city plans to engage the “South Slope network,” which includes Lee Walker Heights, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Mission Health, Asheville Middle School, Asheville Housing Authority and Asheville Downtown Association.