Pam Brown, MNA Secretary
The regular monthly meeting was called to order on March 16, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the Montford Community Center on Pearson Drive—David Patterson, acting-president, presiding. Other board members present: Pam Brown, secretary, and At-Large Members Joe Newman, Laura Lowe, Travis Lowe, Tim Schaller, Michael McDonough, and Sharon Fahrer. Also present were several other neighbors. Treasurer Wanda Newman’s report was circulated to the group on paper.
Montford/Cullowhee/Soco Intersection
David Patterson reminded the group to send comments and input on the city’s plans for curb and sidewalk extensions presented at the February MNA meeting as a means to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians at the busy intersection. Comments should be sent to Bobby Croom, Asheville Traffic Engineering Division, by March 25.
MNA Elections
David and Pam Brown reminded the group that nominations for officers and board members are due by the April 20 meeting.
Revision of HRC Design Review Guidelines for the Montford Historic District
David reported that HRC Director Stacy Merten has received few comments on the last revision of the Montford Guidelines. He reminded the group that the Guideline review at the April 14 HRC meeting is open to the public and encouraged those interested to attend.
Launch of New Neighborhood Website: www.montford.org
Those present expressed appreciation to Laura Lowe and Lael Gray for the launch, design, and functionality of the redesigned website. Lael updated the group on a recent Asheville Citizen-Times WNC LINC (Western North Carolina Local Information Cooperative) meeting, reporting that a story on the upcoming Montford Music and Arts Festival picked up by LINC for the Citizen-Times website was the third-most-read article of the day. Lael stated that Citizen-Times editor Polly McDaniel liked Mary Beth Gwynn’s story “Women Take the Initiative: How One Section of Montford Is Mobilizing for Safety” and may follow up with the women’s group.
I-26 Connector
Lael reported that she and Giorgio Cave have conferred with the Asheville Design Center (ADC) about a recent meeting between the ADC, City of Asheville staff, and representatives of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Lael’s article on the front page of this newsletter summarizes her report to the MNA.
Michael McDonough stated that he has met with city representatives who agreed that a greenway connection between the French Broad River and Montford at Riverside Cemetery should have been included in the city’s master plan for greenways and the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay for North and West Asheville. The city representatives agreed to start the process of amending the master plan to include the connection and new sections. The amended plan will be forwarded to the NCDOT to incorporate into its I-26 plan.
Seventh Annual Montford Music and Arts Festival
Festival committee member Jerry Conner updated the group on the Bahamas cruise fund raiser. The festival will receive $50 for each cabin booked and an additional $150 for each 10 cabins. Jerry also discussed a proposed raffle of cruise tickets.
Sharon Fahrer reported on festival plans, including a design contest for the official festival t-shirt. Entries are due by April 12. City permits have been applied for. Closing Soco and East Waneta streets will add 14 to 16 spaces for vendor booths. Last year, spaces for booths sold out at 60. Sharon stated that sponsors and volunteers are still needed. For more information on festival plans and on how to volunteer and donate, read the festival stories in this newsletter and visit www.montfordfestival.com.
The meeting was adjourned.
