Allison BarnetteThe city of Asheville has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to hire a design team for the restoration of parks and infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Helene.
Nearly eight months after the storm swept through six states, city officials are turning their attention to long-term recovery. A focal point of the effort is the area historically referred to as “Asheville’s Playground,” where the city estimates at least $25 million in damage occurred—part of more than $1 billion in total damages to city-owned property.
Through the RFQ process, the city expects to select a design team by fall 2025. The selected firm will develop a comprehensive plan that includes cost estimates and integrates community feedback. The planning and engagement phase is expected to take about two years, followed by an estimated two to three years of construction. The full project is slated for completion by 2031.
Work will be coordinated with ongoing infrastructure initiatives, including improvements to the French Broad Riverfront, repairs to the municipal golf course and updates to public buildings and street lighting. These projects intend to improve access, sustainability and economic resilience.
One of the first assets to be restored could be the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex. The city is collaborating with the Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association to prepare the fields for recreational and tournament use ahead of the broader recovery timeline.
Other key sites included in the RFQ are Gashes Creek Bridge and Dam, Azalea Road East, Azalea Dog Park, an outdoor recreation facility and a public park with a swimming pool and bathhouse.
Funding will come primarily from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program and the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. Additional funding may come from other grants and local capital funds. As of April, FEMA returned to a 75/25 cost-sharing model, meaning the federal government covers 75% of eligible costs, with state or local entities responsible for the remainder.
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