Asheville -- January 18, 2026: The Asheville City Council has officially moved forward with a plan to modernize and expand the Asheville Police Department’s footprint in the western portion of the city. Following a formal approval of a 10-year lease agreement, the department will establish a new West Resource Center located within Tanger Outlets on Brevard Road.
The move marks a significant upgrade in both space and functionality for the department. The new facility will occupy approximately 3,800 square feet in Suite 822, effectively doubling the size of the current West Asheville substation located at 970 Haywood Road. This expansion is designed to provide officers with a more professional environment, including improved employee wellness areas and flexible workspaces that were not available in the previous location.
The Haywood Road building, which was originally constructed in 1953 to serve as a library, has long been criticized for its aging infrastructure. City staff previously noted that the building suffered from outdated single-pane windows, poor climate control, and insufficient parking for modern police operations. The move to Tanger Outlets is seen as a strategic solution to these long-standing operational challenges.
To facilitate the transition, Tanger Outlets has invested roughly $1 million in security upgrades and renovations to the space at their own expense. Under the terms of the lease, the City of Asheville will pay an initial monthly rent of $6,000. The total estimated cost to the city over the decade-long agreement is approximately $837,000, which will be managed through the police department’s existing operating budget.
The relocation has sparked conversation among residents regarding the police presence in the heart of West Asheville. In response to feedback from business owners along the Haywood Road corridor, the Asheville Police Department has indicated that the transition will be additive. While the primary operations and resource center will shift to the larger Tanger Outlets location, the department plans to maintain a limited presence at the original Haywood Road facility to ensure continued visibility and safety in that neighborhood.
By positioning a high-traffic resource center in a major retail corridor, the city aims to increase officer accessibility while providing a deterrent effect in one of the region’s busiest shopping areas. The move aligns with recent efforts by the Tanger Outlets management to foster a more community-centric environment.
WNCTimes
Image: Asheville Police