ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The city of Asheville will host a panel of national experts from the Urban Land Institute this month to provide recommendations on post-disaster economic recovery and long-term resiliency strategies.
The week-long visit, part of ULI’s Advisory Services Panel program, brings together specialists in real estate, land use, disaster recovery, climate resilience and urban planning. The initiative—valued at roughly $150,000—is funded by the ULI Foundation, signaling strong national support for Asheville’s recovery from Tropical Storm Helene.
“We are incredibly grateful for ULI’s support and the invaluable expertise their panel will bring to Asheville,” Assistant City Manager Ben Woody said in a news release. “This partnership represents a proactive step in our recovery efforts from Tropical Storm Helene and our commitment to building a more resilient future.”
ULI, a global nonprofit known for providing nonpartisan, third-party expertise in land use and development, will help the city evaluate strategies for rebuilding commercial districts, strengthening the workforce, diversifying the economy and improving floodplain management.
Residents and local stakeholders are invited to engage with the visiting panel during two public events:
A community meet-and-greet will be held 5-6:30 p.m. July 28 in the lobby of Harrah’s Cherokee Center — Asheville.
A public presentation and live Q&A session is set for 9:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 1 in the venue’s Banquet Hall. The presentation will also be streamed live on the city’s YouTube channel.
A final report summarizing the panel’s findings and recommendations will be published later this year at ashevillerecovers.org.