The City of Asheville has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for design services to rebuild storm-damaged parks and infrastructure assets on Azalea Road. This milestone marks the beginning of a design plan to restore damaged City assets in the area historically dubbed as “Asheville’s Playground” and establish a new vision for a more resilient and accessible riverfront recreation complex.
Of the estimated $1 billion in total damages to City-owned property, Helene caused at least $25 million in destruction to the area that is home to recreation facilities and important transportation infrastructure along the Swannanoa River and Azalea Road. City-owned assets addressed in this project include but are not limited to:
- Gashes Creek Bridge and Dam
- Recreation Park (including public swimming pool and bathhouse)
- Outdoor Recreation Facility (formerly Mama T’s)
- John B. Lewis (JBL) Soccer Complex Building
- Azalea Road East
- Azalea Dog Park
Map of Project Area Digital Link
The General Scope of the RFQ was informed by input received in the Helene Recovery Priorities Survey and the public engagement around the City’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Action Plan.
Through the RFQ process, the City of Asheville seeks to engage an experienced design team to develop a thorough design plan, including cost estimates for projects identified through engagement with residents, stakeholder groups, and partner agencies. As the project progresses, more information about community input opportunities will be made available.
Funding and Timeline
Cost recovery through federal disaster relief funding programs is essential in making this project possible. The City of Asheville seeks to accomplish this primarily through the FEMA Public Assistance Program, with significant supplemental funding from the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) program. Additional funding sources may include the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, grants from other agencies or partners, and local capital fund dollars.
The City anticipates bringing a design team on board in fall of this year. The design and public engagement process for the overall project is then expected to take two years, followed by another estimated two to three years of construction. The project is expected to be complete in 2031. Using a phased approach, public access will be maximized throughout the duration of the project, allowing as many amenities as possible to be open for public use.
JBL Complex
Under the City’s current lease agreement with Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association (ABYSA), ABYSA is responsible for maintenance and repair of fields at the JBL Complex. The City continues to work with ABYSA to provide quality fields for recreational and tournament soccer. It is anticipated that the athletic fields will open for use well before the Azalea Parks and Infrastructure Recovery Project is complete.
Infrastructure Recovery: Overall Strategy
The City of Asheville is sequencing recovery projects strategically to ensure an efficient and effective rebuilding process. The kick off of the Azalea Parks and Infrastructure Recovery project follows RFQ postings for rebuilding the French Broad Riverfront, repairs to the Municipal Golf Course, and a project to improve water treatment plants. Alongside these relatively complex projects, smaller repairs are being made to other City-owned parks, streets, and facilities. Active examples include roof repairs to the Municipal Building and Thomas Wolfe Auditorium and an assessment of Historic Biltmore Village street lights damaged by the storm.
In conjunction with storm recovery efforts, the City continues to advance its Capital Improvement Plan as well as bond projects. The integration of these initiatives ensures a coordinated effort to strengthen Asheville’s infrastructure and economic stability.
Stay Informed:
Follow Azalea Parks and Infrastructure Recovery project updates by subscribing on the project page. Input from the community through the Recovery Priority Survey and CDBG-DR Action Plan engagement process have helped shape the City’s recovery strategy, and input opportunities will continue throughout the recovery process.
For more information on Asheville’s storm recovery, visit ashevillerecovers.org.