Asheville to Replace Sidewalks on North Lexington Avenue Between Woodfin/Hiawassee and Walnut

The City of Asheville is moving forward with a full replacement of sidewalks on both sides of North Lexington Avenue between Woodfin Street/Hiawassee Street and Walnut Street, a project financed by the 2024 general obligation bond aimed at restoring safe, accessible walkways while preserving the street’s brick character.

City officials say the Lexington Avenue Sidewalk Restoration Project is now in the design phase, with the design work expected to continue through mid-2026. With City Council approval, the city took an early step by hiring Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. as the design team on Oct. 14. The city frames the work as more than a cosmetic fix: Ashley Haire, the City of Asheville’s Director of Transportation, said, “This project is about more than just fixing bricks; it’s meant to ensure that one of our community’s most vibrant streets remains safe and accessible for everyone,” and invited residents to learn about the plans at an upcoming session.

City spokesperson Kim Miller has emphasized both the intent to retain the street’s brick look and the practical limits of budget and site constraints. “The City of Asheville is replacing the sidewalks on both sides of North Lexington Avenue between Walnut Street and Woodfin Street/Hiawassee Street,” Miller said, adding that “This project is funded with 2024 General Obligation Bond funds, allowing the city to improve pedestrian safety and overall experience by restoring safe sidewalks and upgrading accessibility.” On the material choice she said, “The material will be as similar in look and feel to the current brick sidewalk as feasible,” and affirmed, “It is very much the intention of the City to repair the sidewalk with brick.” Miller also noted the city is performing due diligence in site and cost analysis “to ensure brick is feasible within the project requirements, budget and scope.” The project will follow Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines to meet accessibility standards.

Residents who want to see preliminary renderings and ask questions may attend a public presentation and Q&A on February 26, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at DSSOLVR, 63 N Lexington Ave. The event will include light refreshments and activities for kids, and the city will provide an online feedback opportunity on the project page afterward. Project updates and subscription options are available through the city’s project page, and the project manager can be reached at shorton@ashevillenc.gov for follow-up.

The schedule still has open items. PublicInput and city updates list the design phase through mid-2026 and anticipate construction to begin in 2026, while Miller noted “no completion date has been established, ‘but construction is currently slated to kick off in mid-2026,’” and other city materials describe construction starting before the end of the year. An Avlwatchdog reporter recalled earlier attention to the corridor: “I wrote about this issue in July 2024, and while the city was fixing loose bricks at the time, full repair wasn’t in the cards.”

For neighbors, the project promises safer, more accessible sidewalks and an effort to maintain the familiar brick paving that many associate with North Lexington Avenue, but it also signals likely construction impacts to watch for in 2026. Attend the February 26 session or contact shorton@ashevillenc.gov and subscribe to the project page to track design updates, timelines, and decisions on whether brick pavers will be used where feasible.