ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A panel of national land use and economic development experts will present strategic recommendations for Asheville’s post-Helene recovery during a public forum Friday, Aug. 1, at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center.
The presentation, hosted by the city of Asheville, will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and will feature findings from the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Advisory Services Program. The event is free and open to the public and will also be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel.
The nine-member ULI panel has spent the past week in Asheville meeting with stakeholders and analyzing data to evaluate how the city can improve economic sustainability, disaster preparedness and resilience in the wake of last year’s storm. Topics include strengthening the local workforce, reducing flood risk in commercial corridors and rethinking land use in floodplains.
ULI’s involvement is supported by the ULI Foundation and participating ULI members, with the goal of providing nonpartisan, third-party guidance to help Asheville build a more adaptive future. The Advisory Services Program, now in its 75th year, has worked with more than 700 communities nationwide.
A final written report based on the panel’s recommendations will be published later this year at ashevillerecovers.org.
City officials encourage residents, business owners and community leaders to attend and provide feedback on the proposals. Click here to learn more.