🌱 Downtown Safety Initiative Ends Today + The Grata Pizzeria Closing

Morning, everybody. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Asheville Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Humid; a strong p.m. t-storm. High: 87 Low: 64.
• Saturday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm. High: 86 Low: 64.

Here are the top four stories today in Asheville:

1. At the end of today (Jun. 30), Asheville's 60-day Downtown Safety Initiative to combat crime is scheduled to end. During Tuesday's City Council meeting, City Manager Debra Campbell said that Asheville will not stop any actions undertaken during the initiative. For now, there will continue to be a police presence in downtown, including foot and bicycle patrols. (WLOS)
2. Buncombe County's tourism numbers have dropped by more than 11%, according to local government officials. The drop in tourism is reportedly caused in part by "real and perceived safety issues." Despite the drop, the Buncombe Tourism Development Authority predicts record-breaking lodging sales of $660 million for the fiscal year beginning Saturday, Jul. 1. (Subscription: Citizen-Times)
3. Asheville City Council recently approved a conditional zoning request for a mixed-income housing project on city-owned land on Biltmore Avenue. The project is set to bring 221 market-rate and affordable units to two five-story, multifamily buildings in a joint effort between the city and Charlotte-based developer Laurel Street Residential. (Subscription: Citizen-Times)
4. After a three-and-a-half-year run in West Asheville, The Grata Pizzeria is set to close on Sunday, Jul. 9. The Grata cited a drastic decline in sales as the reason for closing and announced that it will not continue in its initial plan to take over the space at 1050 Haywood Rd. On Jul. 9, The Grata will host a grand closing party with "everything must go" prices. (WSPA 7News)

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Today and tomorrow in Asheville:

Friday, June 30

• Creative Mornings At Citizen Vinyl (8:30 AM)
• Syrrup Live Jazz At Botanist & Barrel (6:00 PM)

Saturday, July 1

• Yoga In The Park For Homeward Bound Of WNC At Reuter Terrace In Pack Square Park (9:00 AM)
• Shindig On The Green At Pack Square Park (7:00 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

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From my notebook:

• On Saturday, Jul. 1, a gun safety event will take place at Montford North Star Academy from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. During the event, free gun locks will be provided and Asheville Police Department officers will be there to answer questions about gun safety. (Asheville Police Department via Facebook)
• Beginning Thursday, Jul. 6, the Asheville Humane Society will waive all adoption fees through the end of the month. The adoption event is thanks to BISSELL Pet Foundation, Cathy Bissell, and MetLife Pet Insurance. (Asheville Humane Society via Facebook)
• Want to preserve your summer produce? On Saturday, Jul. 22, the WNC Farmers Market will host a "Save and Seal the Summer" event with various preserving techniques from community experts and farmers. The event will take place at the new WNC FoodWorks Kitchen. Sign up here. (WNC Farmers Market via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be in your inbox soon with a new 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.