State of Downtown Recap 2026
State of Downtown 2026: Momentum, Partnership, and a Shared Vision for Asheville
Downtown Asheville showed up in a big way this week for our annual State of Downtown, presented by First Bank. With a sold-out room of business owners, community leaders, and partners, the energy was clear: downtown is moving forward—and we’re doing it together.
From major public commitments to new creative investments and strengthened partnerships, this year’s program highlighted both progress and possibility.
Top 5 Takeaways
The City Commits to Signature Events in 2026
The City of Asheville has committed funding for the 2026 Independence Day Block Party and Holiday Parade. This reflects strong community advocacy and reinforces the importance of these events to downtown’s vibrancy and economy.
A New Vision for the Wall Street Mural
Artist Dayna Walton has been selected to reimagine the iconic Wall Street mural. This project celebrates Asheville’s creativity while reflecting the evolving story of downtown.
A Coordinated Approach to Downtown Safety and Support
The Asheville Police Department has launched a downtown-focused initiative in partnership with the Asheville Fire Department’s REST team and Vaya Health. This model emphasizes coordination, care, and proactive engagement to better support the community.
Downtown Commercial Real Estate is Recalibrating
Downtown Asheville isn’t declining—it’s recalibrating. Strong fundamentals are meeting inflation, higher costs, and slower growth, creating a market that appears stable on paper but feels tight in practice. An “inflation illusion” is also at play: rents have increased, impacting tenants, while inflation has risen even more, meaning landlords have lost ground. Both perspectives are valid.
Buncombe County Advances Housing on Coxe Avenue
The Coxe Avenue development is moving forward, bringing 203 housing units for households earning up to 80% of area median income—an important step toward increasing housing accessibility downtown.
A Day of Insight and Inspiration
We were proud to feature a dynamic panel presented by Forvis Mazars, bringing national and local perspectives on transformational investment. Thank you as well to Dewey Property Advisors for serving as our data partner and helping ground the conversation in real-time insights.
Attendees also had the opportunity to experience a powerful documentary by filmmaker Sekou Coleman, highlighting the people and stories that make up the fabric of downtown Asheville. Throughout the program, artist Dayna Walton brought that story to life in real time with a live painting from the stage. Guests enjoyed catering by Defiance Cafe, participated in a positive sign workshop led by Jenny Fares, and were welcomed by music from DJ Phantom Pantone. A big thank you to The Orange Peel for hosting and helping create such a memorable event.
Keep the Conversation Going
Missed the event or want to revisit key moments?
Watch the full event recording:[View the stream here]
Explore the State of Downtown report:[Read the report here]
Watch the “Fabric of Downtown” documentary:[Watch the film here]
Downtown Asheville continues to evolve—driven by partnership, creativity, and a shared commitment to place. Thank you to everyone who joined us, contributed, and continues to invest in the heart of our community.