Riverfront to get $50 million makeover

ASHEVILLE – Public spending on greenways, road rerouting and other infrastructure upgrades in and around what has become known as the city's River Arts District will reach $50 million in the next six years, municipal staff involved with the projects say.

That infusion of public funding into a once derelict industrial district will be accompanied by about $200 million in private investment.

The overhaul is being led by the city, though about 44 percent of public money is coming from federal and state sources.

City Riverfront Office Director Stephanie Monson Dahl said the change will connect "people to schools, jobs, recreation and the French Broad River itself."

The projects, though, have garnered some controversy, chiefly from the owner of land now occupied by the nationally renowned 12 Bones Restaurant who fears the property will fall victim to road rerouting.

Most changes center on an approximately two-mile strip of land on the east bank of the French Broad River. That area starts in the north near the intersection of Riverside Drive and Hill Street and runs south to the intersection of Lyman Street and Amboy Road. It is the heart of a region populated by artists following the decline of industry there.

But the entire area for which funding is allocated and in which projects are happening is bigger.

A greenway will run along the river's west side. The French Broad River Greenway West is set to start in the north just above the $140 million New Belgium Brewery under construction. Its new portion will finish at French Broad River Park.

To the east, work will include Town Branch Greenway and the Livington Street "complete street" projects.

In the north, construction associated with the Clingman Forest Greenway will stretch all the way to Hilliard Avenue.

Highlights: pedestrian, cyclist safety

Some of the most notable changes will be the rerouting of roads and the addition of pedestrian and bicycle amenities. The district has seen a surge in walkers and cyclists, creating a dangerous mix as cars whiz by at above posted speed limits.

"I'd love to ride my bike here. But I'm too scared," said Kate Higgins, who has lived in Asheville almost three years and works sometimes in the River Arts District in her job as a beer and wine distributor. "My boyfriend and I went down to Charleston (South Carolina) a few weeks ago and biked all over. Because in Charleston they treat bikes like they treat cars, it's not scary."

Monson Dahl said sidewalks and bike lanes as well as greenway paths separated from roadways should change that.

"The project will drastically improve pedestrian safety and provide continuous bicycle facilities between West Asheville, the RAD and downtown," Asheville's riverfront office director said.

Other parts of the project include public restrooms, better wayfinding "and hundreds of new parking spaces in one of Asheville's up and coming destinations," she said.

Some specific changes:

•French Broad River greenways along the west and east banks of the river.

•French Broad River Greenway trailhead north of New Belgium Brewery with seating featuring a kiosk on river history and river recreation.

•New river access for boaters and others south of the Craven Street bridge and at the Amboy Road River Park. Realigned river access at Jean Webb Park.

•Renovation of a former coal gas facility at 14 Riverside Drive for public restrooms and arts and cultural use.

•A transit shelter on the west side of RiverLink Bridge featuring local history interpretation.

•A sidewalk featuring an imprint design by local artist connecting the river area to West Asheville.

•Multiuse paths along and through Town Branch and Clingman Forest connecting the river area to downtown.

•A roundabout at a five-points intersection next to the planned $55 milliont RAD Lofts apartment and commercial complex.

• A roundabout connecting Lyman and a newly realigned Riverside Drive.

•Sidewalks on both sides of Lyman and West Haywood Street railroad track crossings.

•Two stream restorations and constructed wetlands on Riverside and green space to improve water quality.

•Increased clearance at the Norfolk Southern trestle bridge to accommodate commercial traffic and improve safety for cars, bikes and pedestrians.

•Bicycle and pedestrian facilities (complete street) connections on the south end of Depot and Livingston streets.

Roundabouts and barbeque

The changes feature two roundabouts, including the one set for a five-point intersection that includes Clingman Avenue and Roberts Street, the setting for the 237-unit RAD Lofts.

Harry Pilos, who is developing the former steel beam facility site, said the upcoming river developments have no downside.

"I think having city parks here and bringing the river back to life to where it's a used amenity is going to be great right outside your back yard," Pilos said. "The greenway that's going to connect the RAD to downtown, that'll make it much more accessible, easier to get to. You can ride your bike or walk downtown."

He also cited a whitewater park in the area that boaters and outdoor recreational proponents recently proposed.

The other nearby roundabout location has a less agreeable audience. That traffic circle will be realigning Riverside Drive with Lyman Street.

Drivers going north along Lyman currently have to take a hard right-hand turn at 12 Bones then jog back to the left to keep driving north.

The new plans call for a roundabout on the property now occupied by the barbeque restaurant made famous by visits from President Barack Obama. Drivers would be able to circle half-way through the roundabout then continue directly north on a newly realigned Riverside Drive.

The property's owner, former Asheville vice mayor Chris Peterson, has insisted the city will have to condemn the property, something he has promised to challenge.

"Why would you take the most popular restaurant that even the president of the United States goes to and destroy it? It's the first really successful thing that has been on the river that has brought a lot of people down there."

Monson Dahl, the Riverfront Office director, said it has not been determined whether the loss of part of the property for the right-of-way will mean a total condemnation. That is something that has to be determined by a third-party assessor. Federal rules governing the procedure prevent Monson Dahl from saying whether she thinks a condemnation is likely.

The assessor will determine whether the remaining piece is an "uneconomic remnant."

One mitigating factor could be that the property will actually gain square footage at its southeast corner with the realignment.

12 Bones owner Bryan King declined to comment this week about any changes in the restaurant's situation.

Last month, King said city staff and members of the Asheville Area Riverfront Redevelopment Commission have been upfront and helpful. If 12 Bones has to relocate, he would like it to be near the river.

"We feel the River Arts District is our home," he said.

The restaurant has another location in Arden.

Citizen-Times reporter John Boyle contributed to this report.

Mobile-friendly version of the RAD map.

Funding the river overhaul