ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A quirky river bar and watercraft rental place on a small slip of land where Hominy Creek meets the French Broad River closed months ago. Now, thanks to Tropical Storm Helene, the former home of French Broad Outfitters at Hominy Creek is marked with silt, debris and heavy equipment.

Hominy Creek River Park, which is adjacent to the former FBO site, is closed because of the devastating effects of Helene. Buncombe County Parks and Recreation is working with FEMA and the Army Corp of Engineers to remove vegetative (trees and logs) and non-vegetative debris from the park as well as contaminated silt that was left on the site because of the complete flooding of the park, Parks & Recreation Director Allison Dains said.

Buncombe County and RiverLink signed a conservation easement in 2006 prohibiting commercial activity on the property, except for the then-existing sand-dredging operation. The forgotten easement was rediscovered and FBO was told over the summer it would have to leave the place it had called home since 2016. Buncombe County, which owns the land, planned to expand its adjacent Hominy Creek River Park into the area.

FRENCH BROAD OUTFITTERS FORCED TO CLOSE HOMINY CREEK SPOT

FBO’s last day at Hominy Creek was to be Oct. 15. But Helene brought catastrophic flooding to the Asheville area in late September. Many Buncombe County parks, including Hominy Creek River Park, were damaged by the storm.

“Once the site has been cleared as safe for the public, the main part of the park will open while the peninsula remains closed to allow for restoration of this highly damaged area and to give us the opportunity to plan out the future of the park as a whole,” Dains said.

Future plans for the property are as follows:

  • Hominy River Park peninsula will remain closed while the site is cleared and erosion control measures can be installed
  • Access to the river at Hominy Creek Park will be open and fully accessible to the public with an anticipated timeline of 3-6 months based on cleanup and safety for the public
  • Parks and Recreation will engage the public, outdoor recreation businesses and non-profits that utilize access to the French Broad River from the park to create a new design that includes the peninsula
  • Public access to the river will continue at this location though no business transactions are permitted on the property
  • Development of a plan will be in alignment and inclusive of the current Systemwide Master Plan recommendations and may include additional engage with the public
  • Parks & Recreation Department will look to partner with NC Wildlife Resources Commission to ensure future access to the river with an ADA compliant boat ramp
  • Hominy River Park will remain a Buncombe County park open to the public for recreational use in perpetuity