YMCA, First Baptist partner on Project Aspire

Project Aspire Master Plan

 

First Baptist Church of Asheville, YMCA of WNC partner to build workforce housing, new YMCA, and more to benefit community

 

Asheville, Feb. 13, 2023 – First Baptist Church of Asheville (FBCA) and the YMCA of Western North Carolina (YMCA) are uniting on a bold and unprecedented project to develop their neighboring properties as a walkable urban village that helps meet community needs for affordable workforce housing, early childhood development and education, health and well-being, and more.

Between them, the church and the YMCA own approximately 10 acres in downtown Asheville at the eastern gateway of the central business district. With the working name “Project Aspire,” these mission-based organizations hope to transform their shared landscape for the next 100 years of community service.

The design will prioritize sustainable building systems, public green spaces, and pedestrian connectivity, ensuring that the development is environmentally responsible and accessible to all. It will feature:

  • affordable and market-rate housing options 
  • new state-of-the art YMCA
  • business incubation space
  • green spaces and outdoor gathering areas
  • hospitality with meeting space
  • office buildings
  • community-oriented retail shops
  • restaurants
  • ample structured parking

“We understand the importance of designing a community that reflects the diversity of Asheville and creates a sense of belonging for all residents. Our commitment to inclusiveness and our passion for excellence has led us to numerous points of outreach and will guide us as we work towards realizing this vision,” said Mack Dennis, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Asheville.

These plans are consistent with community goals identified in the Living Asheville Plan and are in line with the charitable missions of FBCA and the YMCA. Both organizations are nonprofits with common values, including community engagement and seeking to help Asheville flourish. Both are concerned about issues of justice, equity, and healthy living. As neighbors for more than five decades, they believe working together will help them serve for generations to come.

“Our goal is to create a dynamic and inclusive environment where people can live, work, and play in downtown Asheville, making it a destination not just for guests and visitors, but for the residents of the greater Asheville community as well,” said Paul Vest, president and CEO of the YMCA of Western North Carolina. “This plan also allows the Asheville YMCA to stay open during construction of a new state-of-the-art YMCA.”

The lead real estate development partner is the Furman Co. from Greenville, S.C. Together the partners have presented a conceptual masterplan in a conditional zoning application to the City of Asheville. 

“The final design will be the result of careful consideration of community feedback, regulatory requirements, and best practices in urban planning,” said Steve Navarro, president of the Furman Co. “Our commitment to excellence and our commitment to the residents of Asheville will guide us as we work towards realizing this vision.”

The development plans will address many community issues and has been conceived in partnership with leaders from the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, and non-governmental organizations to align with the Living Asheville plan. The church and the Y have been discussing their plans with a variety of neighborhood and civic groups, potential partners, and other nonprofits to gain valuable insight and to ensure the plan meets community needs. These discussions will continue as the project moves forward.

The site will be developed in two phases over the next 10 years. The soonest construction would start is the end of 2024 to the beginning of 2025. Phase 1 would involve the development of the area between the church’s side entrance and College Street, including building the new YMCA, hotel, parking deck, green space/park, office space, and retail. Phase 2, projected to begin in at completion of Phase I, will develop the property between the front doors of the church and the current Asheville YMCA. That area will become a mixture of affordable, workforce, and market rate housing, offices, retail, parking, and green space.

First Baptist Church of Asheville’s historic structure will not move or be altered in any way. The new Y will be built between Charlotte Street, Oak Street, and Woodfin Street, and the existing Asheville Y on Woodfin Street will remain open during construction. 
 

Project Aspire FAQ

What’s being planned?
First Baptist Church of Asheville (FBCA) and the YMCA of Western North Carolina (YMCA) are uniting on “Project Aspire,” a bold and unprecedented plan to develop their neighboring properties as a walkable urban village that helps meet community needs for:

  • affordable workforce housing
  • early childhood development and education
  • new state-of-the art YMCA
  • business incubation space
  • healthy food distribution
  • green space
  • outdoor gathering areas
  • hospitality with meeting space
  • office buildings
  • retail shops
  • restaurants
  • ample structured parking

These plans are consistent with community goals identified in the Living Asheville Plan and are in line with the charitable missions of FBCA and the YMCA. Both organizations are nonprofits with common values, including community engagement and seeking to help our city flourish. Both are concerned about issues of justice, equity, and healthy living. As neighbors for more than five decades, they believe working together will help them serve for generations to come.

The YMCA of WNC has been researching options for improving the Asheville Y since 2008. When FBCA began working on its current Campus Mission Plan, it quickly became apparent that the neighbors’ goals were aligned. The church and the Y entered into a cooperative partnership five years ago, and have been working on a mutual development plan for their adjacent downtown properties ever since.

Where is the project?
The 10-acre site is bordered by I-240, Charlotte Street, College Street, Oak Street, Woodfin Street, and Central Avenue. It sits at the gateway into downtown Asheville from Tunnel Road.

What will the urban village look like?
The goal is to create a welcoming, walkable gathering place for locals and visitors alike. The developers are sensitive to the unique architectural heritage of downtown Asheville, and plan a complementary design that incorporates outdoor spaces, green building, and modern amenities. Designs are preliminary and subject to change, and citizens of Asheville will continue to have input.

How many affordable housing units are planned?
Our hope is that at least 100 units of the mixed-use housing will be dedicated to affordable housing.

What’s the projected timeline?
The site will be developed in two phases over the next 10 years. The soonest construction would start is the end of 2024 to the beginning of 2025. Phase 1 would involve the development of the area between the church’s side entrance and College Street, including building the new YMCA, hotel, parking deck, green space/park, office space, and retail. Phase 2, projected to begin in at completion of Phase I, will develop the property between the front doors of the church and the current Asheville YMCA. That area will become a mixture of affordable, workforce, and market rate housing, offices, retail, parking, and green space.

How will the project be funded?
In addition to private investment, community fundraising, philanthropy, public/private partnerships, and economic development incentives, grants and tax credits are essential to the success of this innovative development plan. Because both the church and the Y are tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, developing this property creates more opportunities for community investment that will increase the local tax base.

How is community input being considered?
The development plans will address many community issues and has been conceived in partnership with leaders from the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, and non-governmental organizations to align with the Living Asheville plan. The church and the Y have been discussing their plans with a variety of neighborhood and civic groups, potential partners, and other nonprofits to gain valuable insight and to ensure the plan meets community needs. These discussions will continue as the project moves forward.

Will the church be altered?
First Baptist Church of Asheville’s historic structure will not move or be altered in any way.

Where will the new YMCA be built? 
The new Y will be built between Charlotte Street, Oak Street, and Woodfin Street.

Will the current Y be open during construction?
The existing Asheville Y on Woodfin Street will remain open during construction. 

How big will the new Y be, and what amenities will it have?
The new Y will be similar in size to the current Y, approximately 65,000 to 70,000 square feet, but with a much more efficient footprint. There will be more room for programming than the current facility has. At minimum, there will be two pools, a gym, ample group exercise studio space, and rooftop workout areas, in addition to spaces for youth development and community gatherings. Other details are in the planning stages.

Do you have details about the hospitality partner?
The proposed hotel site is located in District A of the City of Asheville’s 2021 Hotel Development Study, an area zoned for hotels, and will conform to ordinance standards. First Baptist Church of Asheville owns this site and is in discussions with several potential partners. The emphasis is on high-priority public benefits such as living wages and green building.

How will this project affect traffic?
It’s too soon to say to what degree traffic will be affected, although it will increase. A traffic study will be completed per city requirements and all city and NCDOT requirements and recommendations will be followed. It is important to note that the development plan contemplates structured parking, an important objective identified by Asheville citizens.

Who are the development partners?
The lead partner is The Furman Co., a real estate development firm based in Greenville, S.C. Furman specializes in urban adaptive reuse projects that drive the revitalization of communities and neighborhoods. The church and the YMCA engaged Perkins & Will, an 80-year-old global architectural firm, for master planning. The YMCA has also engaged Gro (Gro-Dev) to help plan its new facility.