Reed Creek Greenway Expansion Feasibility Study

Public Engagement Opportunity

Happening Now

An existing portion of the Reed Creek Greenway spans about 0.86 miles from the intersection of Broadway St and WT Weaver Blvd to Elizabeth St. The City of Asheville received grant funding from the French Broad River Metropolitan Organization (FBRMPO) to conduct a feasibility study for extending the greenway.

There are two undeveloped sections: The northern section from the intersection of WT Weaver Blvd and Broadway St to the intersection of Broadway St and Riverside Dr.; and the southern section starting at Elizabeth St. and terminating at the Bacoate Branch Greenway trailhead near the intersection of Clingman Ave and Hilliard (Merritt St).

The feasibility study has the following objectives:

Investigate the alternative alignments that can complete the Reed Creek Greenway
Select the preferred alignments to advance for capital project development
Engage with property owners and stakeholders including City of Asheville departments; the Montford Neighborhood Association; the NCDOT; UNC-Asheville, the Asheville Botanical Garden Board; Isaac Dickson School; and private property owners
Procure cost estimates to begin capital project planning.

The completion of the Reed Creek Greenway Corridor is an important part of the larger greenway network. It will strengthen transportation connectivity from downtown to North Asheville, UNCA, and the River Arts District.

The City had a public survey open on the proposed extension of the Reed Creek Greenway from August 21 – October 1, 2023. A summary of the survey results can be found here.

Background

The Reed Creek Greenway is one of the oldest greenway’s in the City’s greenway network.

The Reed Creek Greenway Feasibility Study is funded by the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (FBRMPO). The FBRMPO is a partnership between local and state government that makes decisions about transportation planning in urbanized areas.

The City released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in December 2022 for submittals from qualified firms to complete the study. A firm was selected in May 2023, and the studied is anticipated to take around 9 months.