RIVER ARTS DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION PROJECTA section of the

Public Meeting #3

December 6, 2012

The RiverWay Plan The Wilma Dykeman

RiverWay is a 17 mile corridor along the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers. The Master Plan consolidates 20 years of planning for the redevelopment of the urban riverfront corridor by RiverLink and was adopted by the City of Asheville.

Project History

Project Background This project will implement portions of the Wilma Dykeman

RiverWay Master Plan, the City of Asheville’s 2025 Plan and the City of Asheville Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts and Greenways Master Plan and will be coordinated with other City plans and initiatives such as “East of the River.”

City plans and initiatives such as “East of the River.”

Image from the Wilma DykemanRiverWay Master Plan (2004)

Image fromLand Use Plan from the 2025 Plan (2000) Image from the Parks, Recreation, Cultural

Arts and Greenways Master Plan (2009)

City of Asheville Website Links to city approved plans that relate to this project can be

found at the City of Asheville website: http://www.ashevillenc.gov/

Project Study Area

Project Goals Implement previous plans

Create a unique gateway

Connect adjacent neighborhoods

Promote “Smart Growth” principles

Increase multimodal choices

Enhance economic competitiveness & sustainable redevelopment

Provide recreational opportunities

Improve environmental protection and water quality

Develop opportunities for streetscapes, amenities, and public art

Minimize conflict points for bicyclists and pedestrians

Preserve future mobility through access management

Provide more transportation

choices

Coordinate policies and

leverage investment

Value communities and neighborhoods

Support existing communities

Enhance economic

competitiveness

Promote equitable, affordable

housing

LIVABILITY

communities and communities and neighborhoods

LIVABILITY

Coordinate Coordinate policies and

investmentinvestmentImplement previous plans

Enhance economic competitiveness & sustainable redevelopment

Develop opportunities for streetscapes, amenities, and public art

Enhance economic competitiveness & sustainable redevelopment

Improve environmental protection and water quality

Purpose and Need

To improve the existing roadway geometric deficiencies along Riverside Drive and Lyman Street between Amboy Road (SR 3556) and Hill Street (SR 1231); and

To enhance the multimodal mobility and system linkages (vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle) along Lyman Street and Riverside Drive by providing efficient and convenient access from Amboy Road to Hill Street.

To improve the existing roadway geometric deficiencies along

Purpose and Need

Challenges/Opportunities

Challenges/Opportunities

Precedent Photos

Precedent Photos

Precedent Photos

Railroad Crossing Concepts

Railroad Crossing Concepts

Alternatives • Build upon previous work/studies • Understand Challenges • Take a fresh look at Opportunities • Preferred alternative:

Improve & Reconfigure intersections Multi-modal access Transit stops, Bridges Stormwater retention features Other (river access, public art, etc) Parks/Open Space Traffic calming measures Railroad crossing modifications

Project Alternatives

Segments same in all colors

Recommended Alternative

Typical Cross-Sections

All LocationsTwo 11-foot wide travel lanesTwo 5-foot wide bike lanesTwo 5-foot wide sidewalks10-12 foot wide multi-use path

Some LocationsMedianOn-street parking

Impacts of Recommended Alternative Impact Category Description

Plants & Animals - Unlikely to impact Threatened or Endangered Species - Minor potential to impact other species

Water Resources -Impacts to streams due to replacement of pipes and culverts - Project lies within floodplain & floodway; permits will be required

Historic Resources - Minor impacts on the Riverside Industrial Historic District - Minor impacts on the former Hans Rees Tannery (historic site) - Archaeological monitoring during construction

Community Resources

- 0.05 acres of right-of-way within Jean Webb Park and 0.70 acres of right-of-way within city-owned parcel south of Jean Webb Park, planned for future park use - No residential relocations - Four business relocations

Hazardous Materials - Additional right-of-way required from 19 parcels with known contamination

Land Use - Project supports ongoing redevelopment efforts

Visual - No perceptible impacts

Economics - No perceptible impacts

Noise - No perceptible impacts

Historic Resources

NS Railroad Bridge (1910) Old Smoky Park Bridge (1950) Riverside Industrial Historic District (1880-1954) Former Hans Rees Tannery (c. 1917) NS Roundhouse (c. 1926)

Section 4(f) WHY IS YELLOW/GREEN THE RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE?

All the alternatives shown on the previous page were screened against the Project Purpose and Need then against federal law. Specifically, Section 4(f) of the US Department of Transportation Act protects publicly owned parks, recreation areas, wildlife refuges, and historic sites. By law, a Section 4(f) property may be converted to a transportation use only if there is no prudent and feasible alternative and if the project includes all possible planning to minimize harm to the resource.

Of all the alternatives considered, Yellow and Green led to the fewest impacts on Section 4(f) resources. However, they do still lead to impacts. Land within two historic resources – the Riverside Industrial Historic District and the former Hans Rees Tannery – would be converted to a transportation use. At both locations, the additional right-of-way is minor and located adjacent to existing roadways. On-street parking and medians were removed from the proposed cross-section to minimize the new area required.

Therefore, these takes count as De Minimis or minor uses.

Provide your comments on these Section 4(f) Uses

Section 4(f)

Project Environmental Process

Define Project Purpose

Technical & Environmental Studies

Develop Alternatives

Screen Alternatives

Select Recommended Alternative

Stakeholder & Public Coordination Throughout

Public Involvement

Project Newsletters

Project Newsletters

Agency Coordination & Team Work Sessions

Google Earth 3D Model

Article http://livability.com/asheville/nc/attractions/ashevilles-river-arts-district-cresting-success

Discover America's Best Places to Live

“The River Arts District has flourished amazingly well in the last five years. It’s continuing to grow; people are purchasing buildings and investing in this area. New construction, building renovation and an influx of restaurants, new businesses and full-time residents have created a hip urban feel down by the river. Events spaces, framing shops, health- and pet-care providers, landscape architects, building suppliers and nonprofit organizations are all adding to the vibe that is the River Arts District.”