The City of Asheville announced a partnership with UK-based ATG Entertainment to begin predevelopment on a new arts and entertainment facility in downtown Asheville.

Discussion of a new venue has long been a topic of conversation as the city has weighed options for renovating Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Ultimately, various third-party consultants and stakeholders all recommended moving forward with a new build rather than a more costly renovation.

The city shared that a key part of the 2,500-seat facility's programming would be Broadway shows, in addition to hosting the Asheville Symphony.

With the predevelopment stage expected to last up to two years, there are plenty of details left to be ironed out — for now, here's what we know about the venue:

Who is involved?

The public-private partnership would be a collaboration between the City of Asheville, ATG Entertainment, and other community partners, including Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, ArtsAVL, and the Asheville Symphony.

What's happening now?

In late June, the City of Asheville and ATG Entertainment signed a Memorandum of Understanding, committing to exploring the project together for 2 years. During the initial predevelopment phase, the two will collaborate to create an economic and cultural impact study, analyzing the project's feasibility. Predevelopment will also include business plan modeling, potential venue configurations, and audience experience designs.

Where would the venue be?

While there are no official plans for the location, it would be constructed on city-owned or "to-be-acquired" property. The city said sites are currently being studied, including on Marjorie Street downtown.

How much would it cost?

Project costs are currently TBD, but the city has earmarked a maximum contribution of $60,000 for the predevelopment phase. ATG is contributing an equal amount.

While the city said it would not use CDBG-DR funds to bankroll the project, it would explore other federal grant opportunities intended to bolster economic recovery after a disaster.

What happens to the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium?

According to the city, it will stay open and continue to host events. The city also shared that it would develop a long-term plan for the entire Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville complex.

What's next?

The city and ATG Entertainment will use findings from the draft of the economic and cultural impact study to determine next steps for plans and grant applications.

The current predevelopment phase could take up to two years. If the project moves forward, construction could take five or more years. Expect to see public engagement opportunities coming soon — of course, we'll let you know about them in future newsletters.