News Summary

Asheville has initiated recovery plans to rebuild infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Helene. The city issued a Request for Qualifications to find design services for the redevelopment of parks and recreation areas. This effort aims to ensure community engagement and meet residents’ needs. Significant funding from HUD has been allocated, but additional resources will be essential for long-term recovery. The overall project is expected to take several years, focusing on creating a resilient riverfront recreation complex that benefits the local community.

Asheville Moves Forward with Infrastructure Recovery Plans Following Hurricane Helene

The City of Asheville has begun efforts to recover and rebuild its infrastructure in response to the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene. The city has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to source design services intended for the redevelopment of the parks and recreation hub along Azalea Road, marking a significant step toward restoring community facilities.

Asheville officials are actively seeking to engage an experienced design team to create a comprehensive design plan and provide cost estimates. This initiative will involve consultations with local residents, stakeholder groups, and partner agencies to ensure the project meets community needs. The city anticipates selecting an appropriate design team by fall 2023, enabling the project to progress quickly toward its goals.

The overall reconstruction project is projected to take four to five years, with an estimated two years dedicated to the design and public engagement process, followed by two to three years for construction. The expected completion date for the revitalization project is 2031.

Attention has been drawn to the condition of local sports facilities, particularly by residents such as Marco Edwards, who expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the soccer field he has used regularly since the hurricane. The damage has hindered his ability to enjoy recreational activities with friends, underlining the immediate need for revitalization.

Funding and Support for Recovery

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has committed $1.7 million to assist Asheville with urgent infrastructure repairs resulting from Hurricane Helene. However, HUD officials indicated that additional funding will be crucial for the city’s long-term recovery efforts.

Statewide, the hurricane has had devastating effects, leading to a total of 101 fatalities across North Carolina, with Asheville specifically recording nine deaths and four residents still unaccounted for. Recovery costs related to the hurricane are estimated to reach $53 billion statewide, severely impacting infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water systems, and the tourism industry.

In light of these challenges, Asheville has been awarded a total of $225 million from HUD to address its critical recovery needs in infrastructure, housing, and economic revitalization. Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer has emphasized the importance of these funds to tackle unmet community recovery needs effectively.

Next Steps in the Recovery Process

A detailed action plan that outlines specific initiatives supported by the newly allocated funding will be developed by Asheville city staff. Once this plan is formulated, it will undergo a public comment period to incorporate community input before its submission to HUD for final approval, which is expected to occur by summer 2023.

The revitalization of the area known as “Asheville’s Playground” is a key component of the city’s recovery strategy, with a focus on creating a riverfront recreation complex that is not only more resilient but also more accessible to the local community. This project reflects Asheville’s commitment to rebuilding better, ensuring that the city can withstand future challenges while serving its residents’ needs effectively.

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Additional Resources

• WLOS: Asheville Advances Project Rebuild Helene
• UPI: Asheville HUD Hurricane Repairs
• The Hill: HUD Hurricane Helene Relief for Asheville
• WLOS: Helene $225 Million Recovery Fund for Asheville
• Wikipedia: Hurricane Helene (2018)