Question: Recent news has questioned the future of the River Arts District (RAD) and whether the City is considering its relocation. We understand these headlines caused concern and are pleased to clear the air on the issue.
ULI Recommendations: not the same as City Decisions
To be clear, the City of Asheville has made no decision to relocate the River Arts District, nor have any decisions been made on how recommendations from the ULI’s presentation to the community could be incorporated into our long-term recovery. These were recommendations only, and the City understands that ULI still intends to refine them before delivering a final report. ULI experts toured our city’s hardest-hit areas, engaged with local business, neighborhood, and government leaders, and offered suggestions for resilient recovery based on their subject area expertise, not extensive local knowledge. Most parcels in the flood damaged areas of the RAD are privately owned or owned by the railroad/NCDOT. Decisions about redevelopment or reinvestment in the RAD ultimately rest with these property owners, as well as the larger local community of residents, workers, and civic leaders who collaboratively decide what makes Asheville unique and what we cherish.
Building Forward with Community Feedback
Since Helene, community input on Asheville’s recovery has emphasized “building back with resilience.” This feedback led to a $30 million investment in the City’s CDBG-DR Action Plan for Revitalization of Flooded Commercial Districts.
The City values local artists and entrepreneurs and is making recovery investments like the French Broad Riverfront Recovery Project. We look forward to engaging with RAD stakeholders and surrounding neighborhoods on these long-term investments.
The RAD community is also establishing its vision for the future as part of the stakeholder-led Unified RAD. This coalition of property owners, residents, businesses, and artists focuses on short-term reactivation, medium-term rebuilding, and long-term vision building that balances the district’s economy, environment and creative spirit. The City supports this effort and hopes to continue to work with the group to incorporate their vision as applicable to long term recovery.
Now is the time to work together to consider ideas that respect the unique nature of the RAD as we build towards a future that allows the area to grow with resilience and appreciation for its economic, environmental and cultural role.
The vision for tomorrow includes the RAD
ULI’s core vision for Asheville’s future is based in resilience, proposing integrated planning where parks, water, housing, equity, and the arts are woven into a cohesive system that acknowledges the serious public safety concerns that exist in our flood hazard areas. We also seek a more resilient future. Every recovery decision aims to help areas recover, thrive, and weather future storms.
City staff are reviewing ULI’s initial recommendations, analyzing their general alignment with Council’s priorities and existing City plans like Recreate AVL, Close the GAP and the Comprehensive Plan. A more thorough review will take place once the final report is delivered in late fall. The ULI report is one piece of input in the larger community-wide effort to foster a resilient and thriving Asheville, including the creative people, places and “Good Vibes” in the RAD.