Asheville Approves ADA Compliance Plan

The city plans to make improvements to pedestrian infrastructure and bring its public streets into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

1 minute read

October 28, 2022, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Asheville, North Carolina plans to improve its pedestrian infrastructure and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance through a plan known as Close the GAP, which the city council approved on Tuesday night. In an article for WLOS, Andrew James highlights the plan’s main focus areas.

The document is designed as “a high level plan that’s more of a guiding document that we'll work with internally to help us prioritize our projects,” according to Lucy Crown, the city’s transportation planning manager. As James explains, “The plan took nearly three years to develop, using studies of the city’s corridors and pedestrian infrastructure, identifying priority areas where improvements are needed.”

The plan outlines “extensive” ADA improvements that would cost an estimated $101 million to complete to bring the city into full ADA compliance. “This work includes sidewalk repairs, curb ramp upgrades, signalized intersections, greenway upgrades and ADA retrofits, as well as improvements to transit stops.”

Wednesday, October 26, 2022 in WLOS

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today