Greenway public meeting to take place Mar. 23

Press release from Buncombe County Recreation Services:

ASHEVILLE — Buncombe County, N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT), and HNTB (a consultant for the NCDOT) will host a drop-in public meeting regarding potential options for the possible addition of a greenway in the vicinity of I-26, Brevard Road and Long Shoals Road in Buncombe County.
The meeting will be held from 4 pm to 6 pm on Monday, March 23, 2015 in the auditorium of the N.C. Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, North Carolina.  Those attending the meeting will be able to park on-site during the event at no charge; attendees should inform the front gate attendant that they will be attending the meeting upon entry to the arboretum.

Over the last several months, Buncombe County, NCDOT, and HNTB have worked with community partners to examine and review possible routes for a feasibility study of a multi-use/multi-modal, paved greenway that will connect Brevard Road north of the new Asheville Outlet Mall south to Biltmore Park and Long Shoals Road to the entrance of the Lake Julian Park.
Buncombe County has been a destination for outdoor enthusiasts who have enjoyed the region’s trails and outdoor recreation for more than a century. As demand was growing for a countywide, comprehensive approach to greenways and trail planning, Buncombe County, through a variety of partnerships, undertook the task of developing a Greenways and Trails master plan, which was adopted by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners in 2012. The County plan envisions a system of connected trails for public usage (pedestrian and bicycles) to foster and promote tourism, economic development, health, recreation, diverse and safe transportation options, and to connect the communities in Buncombe County so that everyone can enjoy and experience the cultural heritage and beauty of Buncombe County. The Bent Creek Corridor Greenway, one of eight priority corridors identified in the Buncombe Greenways and Trails Master Plan, includes approximately 8 miles of greenway that will provide easy access to user locations such as the new Asheville Outlets, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Mountain to Sea Trails, the Bent Creek trails, the NC Arboretum, Ridgefield Business Park, the Biltmore Park Town Square and the new Mission Health and Park Ridge medical facilities.
Staff from Buncombe County, N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT), and HNTB will be available at the meeting to receive input that will help the study team determine the preferred greenway alternative and to answer questions from the public.