ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The City of Asheville Parks & Recreation is inviting residents to help shape the future of two major riverfront recovery projects during a community design workshop later this month.
The workshop, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28, will focus on rebuilding and redesigning areas along the French Broad River and in the Azalea Park area that were heavily damaged by flooding from Tropical Storm Helene in 2024.
The drop-in event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at A-B Tech’s Ivy Building, 9 Genevieve Circle. Short presentations will take place at the top of each hour for the French Broad Riverfront project and at the half hour for the Azalea area project.
City officials say the workshop will give residents their first look at how designers and engineers have translated community priorities into preliminary concepts for a more resilient riverfront.
Participants will be asked to review multiple proposed layouts and features, identify concerns such as access barriers or economic impacts, and offer input to help refine a final, unified design. Organizers say the goal is to ensure the Azalea and French Broad projects function together as a cohesive system that better serves the city.
Helene’s floodwaters caused significant damage to Asheville’s riverfront parks, greenways and infrastructure. While debris removal and emergency stabilization were completed in the immediate aftermath, city officials say 2025 marks the start of long-term recovery efforts focused on repairing and strengthening those public spaces.
The workshop will include activities for children, light refreshments and Spanish-language interpretation. Free parking is available at the site, which is accessible via the ART S4 bus route. Complimentary transit vouchers are available by request through the city.
Residents who cannot attend in person can review digital presentations and complete online feedback surveys from Feb. 28 through March 16 on the city’s Riverfront Parks Recovery webpage.
Additional engagement opportunities include focused group discussions March 2 on environmental, recreational, community and economic topics, as well as a series of pop-up information booths at community events in early March, including stops at JBL Soccer Complex, Pack Square Park and Riverbend Park.
City officials say public feedback gathered during this phase will help move the projects from concept to action as Asheville continues rebuilding along the French Broad River.