ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A panel of national land use and economic development experts delivered comprehensive recommendations Friday for rebuilding Asheville stronger and more resilient following Tropical Storm Helene’s devastating impact last September.

The Urban Land Institute advisory panel, which spent a week analyzing the city’s recovery needs, presented strategies spanning physical infrastructure, economic diversification and organizational reform during a public forum at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center.

Water management and flood control

The panel’s recommendations centered on adopting a “one water” approach to regional planning, calling for creation of a unified council involving city and county officials to coordinate water quality improvements and flood warning systems.

Civil engineer Roni Dietz, who led the water resilience analysis, recommended Asheville begin planning for a fourth water treatment plant now and secure land for future redundancy. The panel also suggested strengthening stormwater management standards to require developers to capture the first 1-1.5 inches of rainfall on-site.

“This is Asheville’s once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebuild smarter, stronger and together,” Dietz said, emphasizing investments in infrastructure that will provide decades of resilience.

Economic reset and tourism rebalancing

The panel proposed reframing Asheville’s relationship with tourism through “destination stewardship,” where resident input guides tourism management and development focuses on spaces serving the community first.

Economic development recommendations include:

  • Creating an incubator for creative industries using Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery funding
  • Launching green construction training programs, partnering with Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and private sector employers
  • Developing workforce programs prioritizing low-to-moderate income residents

River Arts District relocation

Addressing the vulnerable River Arts District, the panel recommended relocating the artistic community to safer ground through a “RAD 2.0” initiative.

“The arts are too valuable to put in harm’s way,” said Harvard finance professor John Macomber, who analyzed post-disaster development patterns.

The panel suggested using land swaps with the city to find suitable industrial buildings that could maintain the district’s authentic character while providing affordable artist workspace and public programming space.

Housing and development solutions

Real estate economist Richard Green presented data showing Asheville has built housing at 2.5 times the national average, helping moderate cost burdens compared to other markets. However, current mortgage rates make new construction financially challenging.

The panel recommended:

  • Creating two new zoning districts: one for floodplain areas with restricted uses, another for mixed-use development
  • Establishing infrastructure grant programs funded by federal disaster relief
  • Implementing “soft second mortgage” assistance to make development financially viable
  • Hiring a dedicated development liaison to streamline permitting processes

Real estate developer Claire DeBriere emphasized the recommendations could be implemented within six months, calling for the prohibition of polluting industrial uses in flood zones and mandatory green infrastructure for new development.

Legacy neighborhood investment

Urban designer Andre Brumfield stressed the importance of ensuring Asheville’s historically Black neighborhoods benefit from recovery investments. The panel recommended strengthening connections between legacy neighborhoods and riverfront development through improved park access and cultural programming.

“The legacy neighborhoods should benefit from the change in the future that Asheville has ahead of it,” Brumfield said. “Don’t leave the communities behind.”

Implementation strategy

The panel identified six priority actions for immediate implementation:

  • Hire a development liaison to champion streamlined building processes
  • Align recovery funding with strategic development goals
  • Identify parcels suitable for strategic FEMA buyouts
  • Coordinate nonprofit organizations to maximize resource efficiency
  • Establish the regional One Water Council
  • Begin site selection for River Arts District relocation

Funding opportunity

Mayor Esther Manheimer noted the city has unprecedented funding available for recovery: FEMA rebuilding funds with state match, plus $225 million in Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery funds on top of the city’s $260 million annual budget.

“We have an unprecedented opportunity to rebuild Asheville in a way that’s better than ever before,” Manheimer said.

The panel emphasized the importance of acting quickly while momentum and funding availability remain high. A detailed implementation report will be available in four to five months.

Panel member Samia Byrd, Arlington County’s director of housing and community development, concluded: “A resilient Asheville is not simply imagined, it is built. This moment will be defined not by what the city has been but what the city will become.”