ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Asheville Police Department operates five resource centers across the city, with a sixth expected to open next month.
The department’s existing locations include centers on Haywood Road in West Asheville, Fairview Road in Oakley, Walden Ridge Drive in South Asheville, Station 10 on Old Haywood Road and Station 13 on Broadway Street. A new resource center at Tanger Outlets is expected to become operational in March.
Most of the facilities are owned by the city of Asheville. Walden Ridge Drive is the only leased location, at a cost of $6,543.44 per month, plus $1,816.02 per month for common area maintenance.
The Tanger Outlets location will also operate under a lease agreement. Following an estimated $1 million in upfit costs for the space — fully donated by Tanger — the city will pay $6,000 per month for the first year. The lease will increase by 3 percent annually, capped at $7,828.64 in the 10th year.
Officers are assigned by district rather than by individual resource center. Resource centers are accessible to officers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Some locations, including Station 13, are open to the public during regular business hours. The Tanger Outlets center will also have public-facing hours. Community members may also visit the Municipal Building at 100 Court Plaza during business hours.
The West and Central/North districts each have 32 authorized officer positions. The West District has three vacancies, while Central/North has five. The South/East District has 36 authorized officer positions, with three vacancies. Each district also includes four sergeants and one lieutenant.
The department is also exploring options for a temporary resource center in East Asheville as it prepares to be displaced from its Fairview Road location because of planned city building renovations. Police officials said they are working with community partners to identify a temporary site until a permanent location is ready. Several options are under consideration, including sites along Tunnel Road and in other parts of East Asheville. No final decision has been made.
