Asheville Advances Recovery Efforts After Hurricane Helene

News Summary

Asheville City Council has taken crucial steps towards recovering from Hurricane Helene’s devastation. A unanimous vote has led to the acquisition of 33 properties, with plans to elevate structures and create new parks. Despite facing funding delays, the council is dedicated to enhancing community safety and services. Discussions also included police funding, which sparked debate over privacy concerns. Meanwhile, the Asheville Municipal Golf Course is being managed under a new agreement as storm damage repairs are underway. The recovery journey for Asheville continues with a hopeful outlook for the future.

Asheville Takes Big Steps in Recovery from Hurricane Helene

Asheville is buzzing with activity as the City Council recently made some significant decisions to help the community recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene. On March 25, the council made a unanimous 7-0 vote to acquire a total of 23 commercial, three institutional, and seven residential properties, which were unfortunately damaged during the storm. This move is part of a larger federal initiative known as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program aimed at reducing risks from future natural disasters.

Raising Up and Stabilizing

In an effort to minimize the impacts of flooding, the City Council also approved plans to elevate two commercial buildings and 12 homes a full two feet above the base flood elevation. This proactive step is crucial for protecting these properties from future flooding. Additionally, two other properties have been marked for land stabilization projects to help reduce the risks of erosion and landslides. The best part? A significant portion of the costs—75%—will be covered by FEMA, while the state will take care of the rest.

Parks and Open Spaces Galore!

After these properties are acquired, they will be deed-restricted, meaning they can only be used for passive activities like parks or open spaces. This decision has everyone dreaming of beautiful new green spaces for community enjoyment. However, it is important to note that recovery funds from the federal government are still in the waiting process, and local officials are gearing up for possible delays as they navigate the funding maze.

Police Funding and Surveillance Concerns

$59,000 from a U.S. Department of Justice grant to the Asheville Police Department. This funding will help enhance the Real Time Intelligence Center, which will feature an updated video wall and advanced workstations. In addition, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office is set to receive about $13,000 from the same grant to support their efforts.

While many Council members agreed on the importance of police funding, some voiced concerns about privacy and the implications of heightened surveillance activities in the community. This led to a tense discussion, with one member voting against allocations for police equipment, bulletproof vests, and even a $215,100 contract renewal for police recruiting services. Overall, the total police spending approved by the council came to approximately $333,000.

Golf Course Recovery Plans

Asheville Municipal Golf Course has also experienced its share of storm damage. A new management agreement has been finalized with Commonwealth Golf Partners II, which will take charge of operations starting April 1 for a term of seven years, with options to extend. While the back nine holes have reopened, the front nine sustained significant damage and is in need of repair. The city will cover losses up to $350,000, while the operator bears any excess costs. To help offset repairs, a maintenance fee of up to $2 per round will kick in.

Parks & Recreation Taking Action

The Department of Parks & Recreation is hard at work coming up with short-term recovery solutions for multiple storm-damaged recreational areas. Plans are underway to reopen Richmond Hill Park, Riverside Cemetery, and various riverfront recreation areas, parks, and greenways. There’s a lot on the table—including dog parks, outdoor volleyball courts, a skating rink, and aquatics operations—all of which hope to bounce back from the storm’s impact.

Looking Ahead

As Asheville moves forward with its recovery efforts, the road to rebuilding parks and riverfront areas could take up to three years. The blend of property acquisition, funding allocation, and community service discussions indicates the town’s commitment to emerging stronger from this adversity.

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Additional Resources

• ABC11: Hurricane Helene Recovery in Asheville
• Wikipedia: Hurricane Helene
• ABC 7 Chicago: Asheville Rising
• Google Search: Hurricane Helene Asheville recovery
• CNN: Asheville Tourism Post Helene
• Weather.com: Hurricane Helene Final Report