Press release from Buncombe County Recreation Services:
ASHEVILLE — Buncombe County Recreation Services and HNTB (a consultant hired by Buncombe County Recreation Services) will host a drop-in public meeting regarding potential options and the overall feasibility for the possible addition of a greenway in the vicinity of Brevard Road. The meeting will be held from 4pm to 7pm on Thursday, March 24, 2016 in the retail buildings of the WNC Farmers Market, 570 Brevard Road, Asheville, North Carolina 28806.
Over the last several months, Buncombe County and its consulting team lead by HNTB and supported by Equinox Environmental have worked with community partners to examine the feasibility of a multi-use/multi-modal, paved greenway that will connect Brevard Road north of the new Asheville Outlet Mall and proceeding north to connect into the existing French Broad River Greenway. This effort is a continuation of the Bent Creek – Lake Julian Greenway Feasibility Study engaged last year (available at http://www.buncombegreenways.org).
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 10-12 miles of total greenway that will provide easy access to user locations such as the Asheville Outlets, the WNC Farmers Market, 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, HNTB, and Equinox 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.
Online options for public input will be available on the Buncombe County Recreation Services website (http://www.buncombegreenways.org) following the public meeting.
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