FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 28, 2008
New face, bold voice, the city's heart -- Asheville Downtown Association responds to needs of today's downtown
ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- A transformed Asheville Downtown Association is emerging in 2008. The Asheville Downtown Association is revamping -- enhancing its programs and services for downtown Asheville to meet the city's changing needs.
While the city grapples with well-planned growth, downtown attracts more merchants and residents, and as the ADA's membership expands, the ADA Board of Directors is taking steps to respond appropriately.
"The revised mission of the Asheville Downtown Association is to be the voice, heart and soul of downtown," said Joe Eckert, ADA's recently elected Board President. "If you live, work in or enjoy our unique downtown and want to be a part of the city's key events, issues and future plans, you should come to us."
Eckert sees this time in the organization's 20-year history as a turning point. While the ADA will continue to plan downtown's social and music events, it also aims to be the ears and mouths for residents and patrons of downtown who are concerned about the direction of the city -- which was the original purpose of the organization when it was founded in 1987. The Asheville Downtown Association interacts directly with the Asheville City Council and City staff, and can speak for Asheville residents' concerns.
The Asheville Downtown Association will also soon have a new executive director. Former Executive Director Jennifer Taylor vacated her position in early January. "Our whole-hearted appreciation goes out to Jennifer," said Joe Minicozzi, incoming Board Vice President. "Jennifer has served the Asheville Downtown Association for eight years and her absence will be felt by all of our members."
The Board will undertake a deliberate search for the executive director seat once the ADA members give input on the future shape of the organization and on the executive directors' duties and responsibilities. The new executive director will be the face of the ADA to the community, attracting membership, promoting the organization, and working closely with the Board, bringing the organization to a new level.
ADA encourages members to contact the board at info@ashevilledowntown.org or 828.251.9973 with input and suggestions.
In the midst of organizational change, we have a full agenda for 2008. The ADA is partnering with the City of Asheville's Economic Development office to oversee the creation of the Downtown Master Plan, a guiding document to ensure that growth and development in downtown is well-planned. Public input sessions will occur throughout the spring. For more information on the Downtown Master Plan, contact Stephanie Monson at (828) 232-4502.
The Asheville Downtown Association also has a full calendar of downtown entertainment, including Jazz After Five, Downtown After Five, Speaker Series, Nouveau Night and Holiday Windows. See www.ashevilledowntown.org/eventcalendar.shtml for the current calendar of events.
For the first time, the ADA is partnering with the Asheville Merchants Association to organize the Holiday Parade for 2008. "The parade has a wonderful history in this community," Eckert said. "It was started by the merchants as a gift to our community, and takes place in our downtown. We want to see that tradition continue, and it is an honor to be trusted to ensure that it does."
Eckert encourages more residents to join as members. "The more members of ADA, the better we will serve the needs of downtown," he said. "We have strength in numbers."
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