ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville leaders are set to consider a series of contracts and budget amendments tied to ongoing recovery efforts from Tropical Storm Helene during the April 28 City Council meeting.
The agenda includes multiple infrastructure projects focused on restoring and strengthening the city’s water and stormwater systems following damage from the 2024 storm.
Among the items, council members will consider a nearly $995,000 contract with Morgan Corporation for repairs at the North Fork Dam. The project would replace a damaged fusegate and address impacts to both the auxiliary and primary spillways after floodwaters triggered the system during the storm. Officials said the spillway functioned as designed, helping protect the dam and surrounding community.
The project is expected to be fully reimbursed through a combination of Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance and state funding.
Council will also consider a major amendment to an engineering contract with Ardurra Group, Inc., increasing its value to nearly $5.9 million. The funding would advance design work on a new North Fork transmission main intended to improve system resilience by relocating infrastructure away from flood-prone areas.
City officials said the project is designed to reduce the risk of water outages and is pending reimbursement through a hazard mitigation grant.
In addition, council members will review several stormwater repair contracts tied to widespread damage across the city. One proposal would approve a $1.15 million agreement with Ardurra for design work on 25 stormwater sites, primarily in north and west Asheville. The work includes evaluating and replacing damaged pipes and related infrastructure, as well as identifying opportunities to improve system resilience.
Two similar contracts with Bolton & Menk, Inc. and TRC Companies, Inc. are also on the agenda as part of a broader effort to divide repair work into multiple projects and accelerate timelines.
The city is also expected to consider applying for federal highway repair funding through the Federal Highway Administration and entering an agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Additional budget amendments include $7.2 million for disaster recovery expenses — largely reimbursable through federal and state programs — and $2.49 million from a state infrastructure grant to support restoration efforts in the Biltmore Village Historic District.
City officials said most projects are expected to be funded through a mix of federal grants, state assistance and insurance proceeds, though some local funds may be required for costs not eligible for reimbursement.
The Asheville City Council will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. The meeting is open to the public and will be streamed online.