🌱 City Receives $3M For Pack Square Redesign + Human Trafficking Ring

Good morning, Asheville! I'm Nicole Fallon-Peek and I'll be your new source for all the events, news, and general happenings in your town. Here is everything you need to know today in five minutes or less.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: A heavy thunderstorm around. High: 85 Low: 60.
• Tuesday: Variable clouds with a shower. High: 81 Low: 59.

Here are the top three stories in Asheville today:

1. The City of Asheville received a $3 million grant to fund the redesign of Pack Square, specifically Pack Square Plaza, with the aim of enhancing its inclusivity and accessibility by incorporating multicultural elements. Stephanie Monson Dahl, the urban design and place strategies manager for the city, highlighted the significance of Pack Square as the gateway to the larger park, surrounded by notable buildings such as the art museum, Biltmore building, and Jackson building. The project, scheduled to span 3.5 years, will also focus on improving the connection between the plaza and the Block community, and community engagement will be an integral part of the process. (WLOS)
2. Four individuals, including a former Buncombe County Sheriff's Office deputy, were arrested on Jun. 22 as part of a criminal enterprise investigation that uncovered a potential human trafficking ring, as stated in a news release by the Asheville Police Department. The investigation began when the police assisted the Cherokee Indian Police Department in apprehending a wanted individual in the Asheville area, leading to the discovery of a broader criminal operation. Multiple firearms, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine were seized, and several juveniles involved were released to their parents while the Department of Juvenile Justice was notified. Dep. Chad Walker, who was terminated from the sheriff's office, was charged with solicitation of a prostitute and implicated in the operation. (Subscription: Citizen Times)
3. Asheville City Council will discuss updates to the city's Land Use Incentive Grant (LUIG) policy tomorrow, Jun. 27, specifically focusing on whether taxpayer money should support micro-housing developments that meet affordability standards. There is a proposal to temporarily ban LUIG grants for micro-housing projects until new standards are developed for this category. The issue was raised after a micro-housing development at 217 Hilliard Ave. received a LUIG grant but faced concerns about whether it would truly increase affordable housing due to projected rents being similar to other units in the development. (Mountain Xpress)

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Today and tomorrow in Asheville:

Monday, June 26

• Making Scents At The North Carolina Arboretum (All Day)
• Imagination Monday With Asheville Parks & Recreation At Hummingbird Park (10:00 AM)

Tuesday, June 27

• An Evening With Peia At AyurPrana Listening Room (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a decline in sales, Grata Pizzeria, located at 1042 Haywood Road in West Asheville, will permanently close on Jul. 9. (Citizen Times)
• New homes have been listed for sale in the Asheville area! Get all the property details at the link. (Asheville Patch)
• Asheville's Hole Doughnuts has secured the second spot on Yelp's Top 100 U.S. Donut Shops list, renowned not just for their delicious treats but also for their vibrant and entertaining atmosphere. The owners credit their success to the support of their customers and emphasize the fun-filled experience they offer at the shop. (WLOS)

That's it for today. See you all soon for another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.