City provides riverfront redevelopment updates

Email newsletter from The Riverfront Redevelopment Office, a division of Community and Economic Development, city of Asheville:

Hello RAD Stakeholders,

Preconstruction activities in the RAD continue. We are committed to consistently communicating with you on the work being done, changes to the schedule and any known traffic impacts. A construction and closures map is available at www.ashevillenc.gov/river. You can also sign up for email notifications here. See below for the latest updates.

NEW UPDATES FOR ON THE GROUND ACTIVITY*

FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING ON RIVERSIDE DR.
The City of Asheville Fire Department is conducting safety and training exercises today in the Ander’s Tobacco Warehouse (221 Riverside Dr.) at the corner of east Craven Street and Riverside Drive, and at the yellow building (formerly Galaxy Kitchen / 300 Riverside Dr.) at the corner of west Haywood and Riverside Drive. These buildings are scheduled for demolition in the coming months as part of the RADTIP development project.

CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
The City of Asheville is in the process of contracting a Construction Manager for preconstruction services for RADTIP, Clingman Forest, Town Branch and French Broad River West Greenways and Livingston Street Complete Streets. These projects make up the total of Tiger VI funded projects. Tiger VI is a federal grant awarded to the City to improve transportation in and around the River Arts District. We anticipate contracting a Construction Manager this winter and developing a draft construction schedule in spring 2017. Please note while this schedule will be helpful in planning, construction schedules are always subject to change.

TREE CLEARING
October 2016: Tree clearing is complete for the preconstruction phase. Additional tree clearing will occur later stages of the project in preparation for improved infrastructure. Some wood is still available for pickup. Some of this wood may be useful for firewood or art. This wood is stored at the corner of west Haywood and Riverside Dr. and is free and available for pick up right now on a first come first serve basis. Please see more information and the rules below.

STAGING FOR DUKE ENERGY
Duke Energy has completed constructing their staging areas and has fenced off sections along Riverside Drive. Duke Energy utility relocation work scheduled to continue until spring 2017. Expect lane closures in the area. All of these details can be found at www.ashevillenc.gov/river on the Construction and Closures map. Please note Duke may be delayed in their work as their crews are helping to restore power for the folks effected by Hurricane Matthew.

PSNC GAS LINE RELOCATION
PSNC is scheduled to continue their work throughout the project area. This will lead to lane closures on Riverside Dr. from 12 Bones to north of the rail road trestle bridge. They will be moving throughout the project area over the next few weeks to complete their work.

14 RIVERSIDE DRIVE
Renovation of the City owned property across from Curve Studios is scheduled to start. You will see the property being fenced in. This will be followed by internal demolition work. This building is scheduled to be under construction until March 2017. 14 Riverside Drive will provide visitor information for the River Arts District and have public parking and public restrooms when construction is complete.

RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVER ACCESS
New and improved river access along Riverside Drive is scheduled for construction in winter 2016. In partnership with the NC Wildlife Resource Commission, the City will be upgrading and adjusting the river access at Jean Webb Park, and installing a new boat ramp further downstream by the Smith Bridge (Craven Street Bridge) on the east bank of Craven Street and Riverside Drive. This boat ramp will allow for canoes, kayaks and small fishing boats to safely access the French Broad River.

OTHER CONSTRUCTION
A portion of Old Lyman Street behind Riverside Studios has been renamed Foundy Street. This development work is outside of the City’s project area and is private infrastructure development work for Foundation Studios, the new home of 12 Bones, The Wedge II and other private developments.

CONSTRUCTION COMMUNICATION
The City has contracted a local designer to help create construction communication signage and a resource kit for businesses and artists the RAD. These resources will be used throughout RADTIP construction which will last from 2017-2020. After gaining input from community stakeholders, the consultant is working on the final designs. We look forward to sharing these as soon as they are completed!

March 2017: Construction is scheduled to begin on RADTIP and will continue through 2020.

*These schedules are subject to change to get the work done! We appreciate your patience as there are many moving parts.

REMINDERS
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Flags
You may have noticed there are several stakes with flags on various properties within the project area. White flags are for right of way, blue flags show the floodplain and orange and yellow flags are utility markers. If you have specific questions about these impacts on your property please call the Riverfront Office.

Camping And Homeless Populations:
Due to preconstruction activities in the area camping is no longer safe. There are several emergency shelter and support services to assist anyone camping in the area effected by displacement. City Resource Officers are currently providing this information to campers in the area. All of the resources available are listed on the Resources tab on www.ashevillenc.gov/river. If you see someone camping in the area please contact Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110. If you need information on additional community services, contact 211.

Tree Removal And Free Wood:
The City of Asheville is working closely with Duke Energy and their contractors to remove trees in the effected utility relocation areas. Removed trees include trees within the 50 foot radius of Duke Energy’s power lines and trees considered, “danger trees.” These are trees that could potentially fall on a power line during a storm. The City’s arborist and Duke’s contractors and arborists have worked closely together to ensure only the necessary trees are removed. Every effort has been made to save as many trees as possible in this process. Trees will be planted in later stages of construction.

Erosion Control:
Duke is not performing any land disturbing activities (i.e. removing the roots of the trees and shrubs that are being cut down). Keeping these roots in place helps to stabilize the riverbank.

A second round of tree removal will occur in later stages of the project. At this time, the City’s contractor will remove more trees and the tree stumps in preparation for infrastructure development. The City is working closely with all partners to minimize erosion and maintain healthy riverbanks during this process. The City has plan for planting, riparian buffers and storm water management best practices. These plans will be implemented in later stages of the project. Additionally, the City has submitted a Letter of Intent for a Duke Watershed grant to help with funding these plans.

Please note the following rules for picking up the free wood:

• No use of wood cutting tools or splitters of any kind are permitted on-site except by Duke Energy or their contractors.
• All wood shall be loaded and hauled off-site by individuals.
• No wood or other materials shall be brought on-site by individuals other than Duke Energy or their contractors.
• No climbing shall be permitted on the lumber stored at these locations.
• Children are not permitted at these stored lumber sites.

Individuals loading, hauling, and transporting the wood materials do so at their own risk and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the City of Asheville, Duke Energy, and their contractors for all damage or loss that may arise in association with said activities.

Transportation, Access And Parking:
Parking on City property will be significantly reduced starting in August 2016 due to preconstruction activities. Please help keep bikers safe by not parking in designated bike lanes. Expect delays from road and lane closures during this time. You can view a preconstruction parking and river access map and a road closure map at www.ashevillenc.gov/river.

Park and river access points at Jean Webb Park and RiverLink will remain open through summer 2016.

Businesses In The Area:
The Riverfront Office is working with RADA and RADBA and other area business owners to create a Business Kit with resources to help you.

The City has contracted a local designer to help create construction communication signage and a resource kit for businesses and artists the RAD. These resources will be used throughout RADTIP construction which will last from 2017-2020.

More Information
For maps, schedules and more information visit www.ashevillenc.gov/river. If you have specific questions about how this project impacts you, your business or your property please contact us. You can reach Stephanie Monson Dahl at the Riverfront Office at (828) 232-4502.

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Thank you,

The Riverfront Redevelopment Office
A Division of Community and Economic Development
For The City of Asheville