At the recent Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meeting, signs reading “Swannanoa Needs Sidewalks” captured the attention of attendees, reflecting a community-driven push for safer pedestrian pathways.
In a unanimous decision, the board approved Buncombe County’s application for approximately $19 million in state funds. These funds aim to support recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, with $10 million specifically earmarked for pedestrian infrastructure improvements in Swannanoa.
The state funds, as explained by county grants manager Tyler Henry, are designated for “physical repair and improvements in commercial areas” impacted by the storm. By constructing two miles of sidewalk along U.S. 70 from Whitson Avenue to Warren Wilson Road, the county intends to enhance safety and attractiveness for both consumers and businesses in the area.
Additionally, Buncombe County seeks nearly $9 million in state assistance to clear storm-damaged structures and debris from commercial corridors in unincorporated parts of the county. Swannanoa, along with Barnardsville, Fairview, and Leicester, are included in these plans.
Voices from Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa, a nonprofit advocacy group, echoed strong support for these projects at a public hearing. Megan McCreary, a board member, highlighted the significance of sidewalk improvements for residents lacking reliable transportation.
“Those people are walking down U.S. 70 on the side of the road, in a goat path, risking their lives to go to the grocery store,” McCreary stated. “Some of those people are in wheelchairs, and they’re literally rolling down the middle of the road.”
Buncombe County plans to submit the funding application by Tuesday, Aug. 4, though the timeline for funding decisions remains unspecified on the state’s grant opportunity webpage.
School Capital Projects Move Forward
- The board authorized approximately $12 million in new capital projects for schools in Asheville and Buncombe County. This includes $3 million for network infrastructure, $3 million for design work at Glen Arden Elementary, and $1.7 million for security enhancements at Asheville High School. The funding is sourced from county sales taxes dedicated to school projects by state legislation.
- A $2.1 million contract was awarded to Patton Construction Group for athletic facility upgrades at Asheville Middle School, including a track replacement and new bathrooms near the softball field, slated for completion by August 2027.
- The N.C. Department of Public Instruction allocated $2.5 million in education lottery funds for repaving projects at several county schools, including Erwin Middle, North Buncombe Elementary, and Owen Middle.
Other Developments
- The commissioners integrated the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency into county operations, maintaining its regulatory powers after federal support was reduced. This transition is estimated to cost county taxpayers approximately $350,000 annually.
- Adjustments were made to the county’s street naming and addressing policies, as outlined by Gillian Phillips, the long-range planning division manager. Changes include banning similar-sounding street names to assist 911 dispatchers, with “Dogwood,” “Rhododendron,” and “Mountain” now prohibited for new roads.
- A $1.4 million contract was awarded to ADW Architects for designing the new Emergency Services’ West Regional Base, expected to be completed in 16 months with a construction cost of about $14.4 million.
- The county secured approximately $802,000 in state grants for streambank stabilization, restoring 3,500 feet of streambank eroded by Helene. This follows a prior acceptance of $37 million in federal funds for similar efforts, though complete restoration costs are projected in the hundreds of millions.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners convenes regularly on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 200 College St., Room 326, Asheville, starting at 5 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 4. For more details, view the full recording and access meeting documents from the July 21 session.
