Former President Donald Trump will hold a rally at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville. The visit is expected to cause some disruption to downtown activities.
Road closures and parking
Security for the event means roads will be closed beginning Tuesday at noon, including:
• Haywood Street from Battery Park Ave. to O’Henry Ave.
• Page Avenue from Haywood St. to Battle Square
• Walnut Street from Haywood St. to Rankin Ave.
• Hiawassee Street from Flint St. to N. Lexington Ave.
• Flint Street from Haywood St. to Cherry St.
• Vanderbilt Place
On-street parking will be closed on the following streets beginning Monday evening:
- Haywood St. between Battery Park and Page Ave.
- Page Ave. between Haywood St. and Battle Square
- Hiawassee St.
- Vanderbilt Place
- W. Walnut St.
Cars remaining in closed locations are subject to towing.
Roads are expected to reopen around 10 p.m. on Wednesday.
City parking garages will remain open. The Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville garage will be accessible only from Rankin Ave.
The Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville garage, Rankin garage and Wall Street garage will charge parking fees beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
Airport activity
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary flight restriction for the Asheville airspace during Trump's visit from 12:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
"We expect minimal disruption to airport operations, as there is no event at the airport," airport spokesperson Tina Kinsey told BPR in a statement. "We do advise that those traveling tomorrow allow ample time to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to boarding time."
Public services
Bus routes will be altered downtown. Routes N3 and N4 will be detoured from 5 a.m. Tuesday to midnight on Wednesday. The following stops will be missed: 881, 974, 973,975, 963, 787. Check alerts from Iride and ridetheart.com.
Trash and recycling collection service will be canceled on Wednesday in the Central Business District. Community members and businesses should place bins out by 5 p.m. on Tuesday for collection between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Pack Memorial Library will be closed on Wednesday. All other libraries will remain open, according to Buncombe county officials.
All other county operations will remain open.
Police presence
APD said there will be enhanced security measures including patrolling officers by vehicle, on foot, and bicycles to “ensure a strong and visible presence throughout the event.”
Protests permitted in three areas
APD has designated three areas for protestors during Wednesday's campaign event
- 37 Page Avenue
- Pritchard Park
- Pack Square
APD also reminded all attendees and demonstrators to stay on sidewalks, adhere to traffic regulations and avoid blocking roadways. According to state law, "demonstrations, parades, and marches that block streets, intersections, or obstruct traffic flow are prohibited unless specifically permitted."
In a Facebook post, APD said that "violations of the above-prohibited behaviors will result in enforcement actions."
Helen Chickering, Laura Hackett, Jose Sandoval and Felicia Sonmez contributed to this report. This story was updated to reflect that trash and recycling services will only be canceled for the Central Business District.