Asheville City Council Takes Action On Several Helene Recovery Items
At the Tuesday meeting, the Asheville City Council took action on several items related to long-term recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene.
Gashes Creek Bridge and Dam
The Council adopted a resolution to enter into a partnership with Olin Partnership for design and engineering services to rebuild the Gashes Creek Bridge and Dam. This is the first of three design faces for the Azalea Parks and Infrastructure Recovery project.
Resources: Staff Report, Project page
“Our staff has worked very hard to get this project to this point,” says Walter Ear, Interim Capital Management Director. “Securing this contract is an important first step in our commitment to rebuilding and revitalizing critical infrastructure along the Swannanoa River, and we are ready to get to work.”
8 River Arts Place Restoration- Design Contract
The Council entered into a contract with Novus Architects for design services needed to restore the City’s facilities at 8 River Arts Place in the River Arts District.
Built in 1933, this building is listed as a contributing structure on the National Register of Historic Places and was rehabilitated in 2017 to serve as a public restroom and leased space. The scope of work includes identifying opportunities for flood hazard mitigation. Funding for this project is expected to come from the FEMA Public Assistance Program.
“8 River Arts Place is a key public amenity in the River Arts District, and we want to promote its long term viability while protecting its unique character,” says Interim Capital Management Director Walter Ear. “This design work will address repair from Helene related damage, and incorporate flood proofing, and flood mitigation strategies to make the building more resilient against future flooding events.”
Resources: Staff Report, Project page
Hurricane Helene Cashflow Round 3 from the State of North Carolina
The Council approved a budget amendment to receive a $12.6 million loan from the State of North Carolina’s cashflow loan program. This fund is designed to help local governments while they wait for reimbursements to arrive. This is the third loan for the City of Asheville for this program.
“Though these funds cannot offset revenue lost due to Helene, they will improve the City’s cash flow. This funding round is larger than previous ones, as we’ve advanced several projects recently,” explained Finance Director Tony McDowell.
Resources: Staff Report
After Action Report
A full summary of the After Action Report will be delivered to the Public Safety Committee on September 25.
