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An overlook at Riverside Park | Rendering courtesy of Equinox
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The goal is to transform the French Broad River into a “regional recreational focal point” that connects people to each other, public space + the river. It calls for 5 miles of new greenway, the creation of Silver-Line Park, a redesign of the existing Riverside Park, and the development of a man-made whitewater attraction.
This project, which is a collaborative venture from RiverLink, Equinox + the Town of Woodfin, will have big implications for the 828. And after tuning into last week’s Woodfin Riverside Park Public Forum, we’ve got more details, along with the anticipated timeline for these exciting new features: |
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Existing + future greenways near the river | Rendering courtesy of Equinox
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The French Broad River and Beaverdam Creek Greenways
These 5 miles of greenway will connect directly with Asheville’s recently completed French Broad River Greenway, beginning at the intersection of Broadway + Riverside Dr., following the river to the entrance of Beaverdam Creek and turning to weave through woods + eventually reach Merrimon Ave.
Timeline: From design to construction, it’s estimated to take ~3.5 years. However, this project can’t start until funding is approved by the NCDOT. RiverLink is accepting private donations to help kickstart it.
Riverside Park Expansion
This existing park (1630 Riverside Dr.) will expand southward by 4 acres. The vision is to connect the public to the history of the French Broad River through overlooks, event space, interpretive signage + more. ProTip: Public comment and input is currently being accepted on this project here.
Timeline: The planning phase should be complete by fall of 2021, with construction fully complete by late 2022.
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The Whitewater Wave | Rendering courtesy of Equinox
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The Wave
This world-class, human-engineered river wave will be buttressed by a rock and concrete ledge, forming the perfect playground for whitewater kayaks, rafters, paddlers + more. Confused? Check out this video of New Zealand’s Camphill Surf Park as an example.
Timeline: Construction is slated to begin late this year and be completed by late 2022/early 2023.
Silver-Line Park
This new 4.5 acre park will include river access, parking, a playground, walking trails + a Craggy Mountain Rail Line connection. The existing commercial building’s future is uncertain, but proposed ideas include public restrooms, an outfitter + a small museum.
Timeline: Construction began in September 2020, and the planned completion date is October 2021. |
| Share with all the river rats in your life. |
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Weather
○ 81º | Partly Cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Civic
○ At tonight’s 5 p.m. meeting, Asheville City Council will vote on a nondiscrimination ordinance, as well consider joining the Asheville-Buncombe United for Youth Network. The latter is a partnership that intends to prepare all high school graduates for professional success by 2035. See the full agenda here + tune in here. 📋
○ The Buncombe County TDA will have its monthly meeting on Wed., Apr. 28 from 9-10:30 a.m. The agenda will cover financial reports, funding recommendations for the Tourism Product Development Fund, an intro to Explore Asheville’s new VP of Sales + more. The deadline for public comment is today at 4 p.m. 📊
ComingSoon
○ The East Asheville Library will have its grand opening on May 1. The ~$7 million renovation project will result in Buncombe’s first LEED certified building, and also includes a new community playground, basketball court, community meeting room, study spaces + more. Learn more here. 📚
○ Wicked Weed is coming to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort (777 Casino Dr., Cherokee) this spring. The 12,000 sqft brewpub will include a 36-seat main bar, a walk-up tasting bar + a small stage for entertainment. 🍺
Community
○ Grab your free CreativeMornings Asheville ticket here + mark your calendars for Fri., Apr. 30, 9–10 a.m. This month’s theme is “Procrastinate.” Honey Simone, founder + co-creator of Different Wrld, is the featured speaker. She will address the power and perspective that procrastination holds.
Coronavirus
○ Check out the latest COVID-19 stats for NC from the Department of Health and Human Services here. As of Monday afternoon, 17,296 cases and 313 deaths have been reported in Buncombe County. See more Buncombe County-specific info, including waitlist numbers and vaccines distributed, here.
○ NC has announced that it will resume administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Currently, there are ~132,000 doses available in the state + new shipments will be ordered next week. 💉
Listen
○ Local folk roots musician Christopher Paul Stelling has released a new single, “Die to Know.” The single is a selection from Stelling’s forthcoming album, Forgiving It All, which will make its debut on Sept. 24. Listen here. 🎶
○ Our very own Editor Brook will be on the latest episode of Making It in Asheville. Hosted by Sarah + Tony Ubertaccio, the podcast features interviews with local entrepreneurs, business owners, and creatives about their experiences here. The episode will be live at 9 a.m. today, Tues., Apr. 27. Tune in here. 🎧
DYK
○ Monarch butterflies are due in the Smokies any day now. These famous orange + black beauties are en route from their wintering sites in central Mexico and will be looking for mates and milkweed plants upon arrival. Learn more about their annual migration here. 🦋 (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Ashevillian
○ Congrats to UNC Asheville Professor Irene Rossell on receiving the 2021 Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching. Rossell teaches Environmental Studies and is known for giving students out-of-the-box assignments such as crafting an axe handle from a hickory sapling or creating in-depth visual art projects of plants.
Award
○ Tommy Hays, author + former executive director of UNC Asheville’s Great Smokies Writing Program, has been named to the Order of the Long Leaf Pine (aka the highest civilian honor bestowed by the governor of NC). Former recipients of the honor include Maya Angelou + Coretta Scott King. 👏 Ⓟ
Finance
○ This no annual fee, cash back credit card has a $200 bonus offer + 3% cash back on the category of your choice (like home improvement, travel, dining or online shopping). More perks? There’s 0% interest for 15 months, plus a 75% bonus reward for qualified customers. Ⓟ
FeaturedDig
○ Street-level Retail Space in the Heart of Downtown Asheville | 2,752 sqft | $7,855 Ⓟ
Click the button below for local resources regarding the coronavirus.
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Asheville’s New Belgium Brewing Company is making a splash with its new carbon-neutral brew, Torched Earth Ale. The ale has been made to taste intentionally bad + only contains ingredients that would be available in a world “ravaged by climate change,” such as smoked malts that mimic wildfires and drought-proof grains like millet + buckwheat.
Dare to taste the disaster yourself? The brew is available at New Belgium’s taproom in the River Arts District (21 Craven St.). All proceeds will benefit Protect Our Winters, a non-profit that helps passionate outdoor people protect the places and lifestyles they love from climate change. |
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Learn
○ Edible and Native Plants of WNC: Green Built Alliance Spring 2021 Workshops | Tues., Apr. 27 | 2-4 p.m. | Virtual | $20+ | Get introduced to more than 40 edible + attractive landscaping plants. 🌱
Film
○ Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | Tues., Apr. 27 | 6 p.m. | Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave. | $5 | “Fortune and glory, kid. Fortune and glory.” 🍿
TryThis
○ Yoga and Goats Adults + Kids Class | Tues., Apr. 27 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Highland Lake Cove, 215 Rhett Dr., Flat Rock | $15+ | Meet farm animals + take yoga classes separately or together with kids + adults. 🐐
Art
○ Greenway Celebration Outdoor Painting "En Plein Air" | Tues., Apr. 27- Tues., May 18 | 1-4 p.m. | River Arts District, Riverside Dr. + Lyman St.. | Free | See artists painting outdoors to celebrate the opening of the RADTIP Greenway. 🎨
ForKids
○ Adventure Read Aloud: A More Graceful Shaboom | Tues., Apr. 27 | 7-8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Author Jacinta Bunnell shares a story about a spunky, non-binary protagonist named Harmon Jitney. 📖
Job
○ Brian Center Job Fair | Tues., Apr. 27 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | NCWorks Career Center, 48 Grove St. | Free | Calling all CNAs, LPNs + Rns. 💼
PlanAhead
○ Retirement Seminar – Turn Volatility Into Opportunity | Thu., Apr. 29 | 6:00-7:30 p.m. | Biltmore Hilton Hotel, 43 Town Square Blvd., Asheville, Nc 28803 | Free | Join local retirement planning professional, Paul Buckle CPA, and gain tools that you may need to help protect your wealth from unexpected market swings, historically low interest rates, and new tax policies. Ⓟ
Find more of this week’s local events in our April PlanAhead.
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Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
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For today’s #AVLcurrent, we’re highlighting what we’re reading. Editor Laura just started Braiding Sweetgrass.
Editor Brook is reading Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, which was gifted to her by another mom who has simultaneously worked and schooled her child throughout the pandemic.
By page 3, she was already tearing up and grateful to find that elusive sense of community in between the pages of the book.
🔄 Catch up on any newsletters you may have missed here.
💭 Say Hello: What do you want to know about your city?
✏️️ Want to write an article for us? Find out how here.
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📖 Check out our Editorial Ethics Policy here. |
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