ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The city of Asheville is moving forward with its infrastructure recovery efforts by issuing a Request for Qualifications for design services to rebuild the French Broad River parks system. This marks the start of a design plan aimed at restoring damaged city assets along the riverfront and creating a more resilient and accessible public space.
The general scope of the RFQ is based on feedback from the Helene Recovery Priorities Survey and public input gathered during the city’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Action Plan process.
Of the estimated $1 billion in total damage to city property, Tropical Storm Helene caused at least $25 million in destruction to more than 200 acres of public parks, greenways and recreation facilities along the French Broad River. The project area spans five linear miles on both sides of the river, from the western city limits downstream of Hominy Creek to just below the Jeff Bowen Bridge (Interstate 240).
City-owned assets in the project area include but are not limited to:
- Carrier Park
- French Broad River Park
- Amboy Riverfront Park
- Jean Webb Park
- Craven Street Trailhead Park
- Craven Street Bridge Boating Access Area
- Wilma Dykeman Greenway
- French Broad River Greenway
- 327 Riverside Drive Storage Facility
