ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville plans to rebuild a retaining wall at Montford Park that was damaged during Tropical Storm Helene, with hopes of reusing as much of the original stone as possible.

Construction is expected to cost about $312,000, not including design and other related expenses. The city expects FEMA to cover 90 percent of eligible costs.

Inspections by FEMA and engineers, along with an analysis of the ground beneath the wall, found that a section closest to the tennis courts could not be saved. The rest of the wall was also compromised.

The city plans to build a new wall and cover it with stone from the existing structure. But reusing that stone may not be as simple as it sounds.

Contractors and stonemasons have told the city that the original stones will need to be cut because they vary in thickness. If too much stone is lost during cutting, the city may have to use a different material.

“It is certainly our preference and first choice to honor the history of the area by reusing the original stone,” city communications specialist Kim Miller said in an emailed response to questions from 828newsNOW.

“First and foremost, however, is the safety, stability and integrity of the replacement wall.”

The city is considering an alternative stone facing now so the project won’t be delayed if the original material can’t be reused.

Keeping the historic look

While Montford Park dates to the 19th century, city officials say the existing retaining walls are believed to have been built in the 1970s.

The park is in the Montford Historic District, where design guidelines call for damaged walls that cannot be repaired to be replaced with materials that match the original design, texture, color and appearance as closely as possible.

City officials say they intend to follow those guidelines, whether the rebuilt wall is faced with salvaged stone or replacement material.

To help make sure the new wall fits its surroundings, contractors were required to submit examples of their stonework with their bids. A 3-foot-square sample wall also must be approved by the project’s engineer and city project manager before construction begins.

The plans call for any new stone to include a mix of sizes, shapes, textures and colors that match the appearance of the existing wall.

Tracy Wyman, the city’s project manager, said it’s too early to know how much of the original stone can be reused.

“Our goal is to use the historic stone and to follow the Montford historic guidelines,” Wyman said.

Construction could begin this year

The wall repairs are part of Asheville’s Historic Parks Recovery project, which also includes structural repairs at Riverside Cemetery.

The city first advertised the work for bids in September but had to seek bids again after receiving fewer than the three required under North Carolina law.

Officials said no changes were made to the scope of work when the project was rebid.

The construction contract is scheduled to go before Asheville City Council for consideration Nov. 10.

The city expects work on the Historic Parks Recovery project to begin before the end of 2026 and take about six months, although weather and the complexity of the repairs could affect that schedule.

During construction, the city hopes to keep the tennis courts and as much of Montford Park as possible open, with brief closures when necessary.

Fencing, signs and barriers will be used to keep visitors away from construction areas.

Once a construction schedule is finalized, the city plans to notify nearby residents, the Montford Historic District and local tennis and pickleball associations about any expected closures.