WABA General Meeting • Tuesday, March 21, 2017 • 9:30-11:30am
Location: Isis Music Hall, upstairs lounge, 743 Haywood Road, West Asheville
– agenda –
9:30 am coffee & doughnut holes
10:00 am – Welcome
10:05 am – Living Wage Employer Certification Program
10:30 am – Update on the Beacham’s Curve Development
10:40 am – City of Asheville Updates on Bond and Capital Projects
11:25 am – Wrap Up/Announcements
– agenda details –
9:30 am coffee & doughnut holes
courtesy Kitchen 743 at Isis Music Hall
10:00 am – Welcome
Austin Walker, Chair of WABA Board
10:05 am – Living Wage Employer Certification Program
Vicki Meath, Executive Director, Just Economics
In March 2008, Just Economics launched the Living Wage Certification Program, which identifies and promotes local employers that pay a Living Wage. Just Economics has Certified 400+ local employers in several Western North Carolina counties, including some of our local West Asheville businesses.
Vicki Meath, Executive Director of Just Economics joins us to answers the questions: What is a Living Wage? What are the benefits of a Living Wage? What is the Living Wage Certification Program? How do employers qualify for Certification?
10:30 am – Update on the Beacham’s Curve Development
James H. Diaz, CCIM, Principal, CoveStar Investment Realty Advisors
Pizza Mind recently opened, and OWL has quickly become a neighborhood favorite. What else is in the works at Beacham’s Curve? What is the timeline?
Beacham’s Curve is one of the exciting new development areas along Haywood Road. James H. Diaz, Principal at CoveStar Investment Realty Advisors, joins us to give an overview of the project at this pivotal corner of our West Asheville main street.
10:45 am – City of Asheville Updates on Bond and Capital Projects
Jade Dundas, Interim Capital Projects Director
Dawa Hitch, Director of Communication & Public Engagement
Ashley Traynum-Carson, Neighborhood Coordinator
The $74 million general obligation bond for public improvements in the areas of Housing Affordability, Parks & Recreation, and Streets, Sidewalks & Bike Lanes was approved by voters in November 2016. How is that being implemented? What is the timeline?
Jade Dundas, Interim Capital Projects Director and Cathy Ball, Assistant City Manager join us with an update on the general mechanics of how the City of Asheville is moving into the bond implementation phase and where we are in that process.
We’ll also have a conversation with Dawa Hitch, Director of Communication & Public Engagement, and Ashley Traynum-Carson, Neighborhood Coordinator for the City of Asheville about communication preferences as projects move forward.
11:25 am – Wrap Up/Announcements
Haywood Road Clean Up Day – April 1, 2017
– bios –
Vicki Meath, Executive Director, Just Economics
Vicki comes to Just Economics with a background in community organizing. She has worked on environmental, social and economic justice issues ranging from responsible oil and gas drilling to protecting health and human services in the Ohio state budget. In 2006 Vicki worked with Let Justice Roll and Cleveland Jobs with Justice on the successful campaign to raise the state minimum wage and continued to work with Jobs with Justice on the Cuyahoga County Living Wage Campaign and other worker justice issues. Vicki has a strong commitment to and passion for economic justice work. Vicki has a 14 year old daughter and has lived in the Asheville area since 2007. Vicki has been involved in a variety of community activities and lives in West Asheville.
James H. Diaz, CCIM, Principal, CoveStar Investment Realty Advisors
Originally from New Orleans, LA, Jim is a twelve-year Asheville resident, licensed real estate broker and active real estate investor. As Principal and broker-in-charge of CoveStar Investment Realty Advisors, Jim has earned a reputation among peers and clients alike, as one of Western North Carolina’s most respected real estate professionals. His experience with urban infill development and familiarity with new urbanist design principles will assist him in leading the in-house sales and marketing team at Thompson Street.