[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6085737,"mediaKeyId","2902301-65c1cba06fbbfd8caba3849b4112ada5","parentId",2902301,"title","Metropolitan Sewer District outlines $105 million Carrier Bridge pump station replacement, flags park impacts and multiyear construction","audioSeconds",1103,"startMs",538000,"endMs",1641000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902301-65c1cba06fbbfd8caba3849b4112ada5&start=538&end=1641","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902301-65c1cba06fbbfd8caba3849b4112ada5/thumbnail_538000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085737/Asheville-City/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Metropolitan-Sewer-District-outlines-105-million-Carrier-Bridge-pump-station-replacement-flags-park-impacts-and-multiyear-construction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085737-aa90091367a2c469af043406cec88f5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156591&Signature=ZOI1Gtf4xNIS-JK~mmLmT8uYXaqOJ91GnTDkHbkZdJfvkku9Q8UCrQcqMRKU72FmRw10iLU0oeAn9YVRh9t8SvEnAxu8TH~RYq2OFCJmb1yZL~lBAEHqSPsvizwd~PcKZDg9y8adJxEpHkEvnUNr2Vr6lvA4J1jKykMVDN--swD2LM-PUbc8F8Wb8e8JG1WgRGXQoN~1PaVoZ5IT6ONkW~M7fiW4md1MiadPG2D3HgTO1uCRt0zSnugiAc3ZuP0u4h-yvxbJ6mh6wq1YwGlTsSUwaB1Urle5aPrfes3vK23X5oE8ClGuNyIJ8aO5m78PBDL5-OWKHDFReKLDqDxzAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Asheville City, NC","date","2025-04-09T00:16:17.29Z","article","Metropolitan Sewer District officials told the Asheville City Council that MSD will replace the Carrier Bridge pump station — the system's largest station — with a deeper, higher‑capacity facility sited next to French Broad River Park.

MSD Director of Engineering Hunter Carson said the replacement will increase peak pumping capacity from the current 22,000,000 gallons per day to 40,000,000 gallons per day (a 2070 flow projection) and will require a large excavation about 70 feet deep. \"This is a very deep station,\" Carson said, noting the station footprint will be roughly 100 feet by 40 feet and will include odor control (carbon scrubbers), retaining walls and large inlet and discharge piping.

The project will also install two new river crossings for pressurized force mains and rehabilitate about 2,000 feet of existing 54‑inch sewer pipe adjacent to Lyman Street. Carson described the river crossings as open‑cut installations using cofferdams so crews can dewater and install pipe in the dry before reconnecting spans. \"Both of those will be installed using a coffer dam,\" Carson said.

MSD said the new pump station site was purchased from Duke Energy several years ago and that some tree clearing already occurred on the parcel. Carson and MSD staff said they worked with city staff to route pipes through the park to avoid additional tree loss and to preserve existing park structures, including a gazebo and restroom facility. Council members and the public pressed MSD about the tree clearing and resilience in a flood‑prone corridor; Carson said the existing station sits about 2 feet above the FEMA 500‑year flood elevation and reported it remained operable during the recent storm. MSD engineering staff said the new station will be anchored into bedrock and concrete‑cased to improve resilience.

MSD provided a high‑level schedule: the river‑crossing contract has been awarded and construction is expected to begin this summer and take about 18 months; pipeline construction is expected to take roughly two years once mobilized; the pump station construction is estimated at about three years, putting final station completion into 2029. Carson said MSD expects the project cost to be about $105,000,000 and that funding will come from ratepayer sources and bonds. \"It's ratepayer funded, but through the — yeah — bonds,\" he said.

MSD also listed several upcoming or related water system projects that shaped its case for multi‑year rate adjustments and capital planning, and staff noted rating agencies are monitoring water system finances. Carson and panelists emphasized coordination with city staff on alignments and park restoration and noted bypass pumping and Rad Tip Greenway closures will be needed at times during pipe rehabilitation work.

Council members and residents asked multiple technical questions about flood resilience, pipe burial depth and how existing underwater crossings fared in the recent hurricane; MSD answered that most failures observed after the storm were aerial creek crossings and that existing subaqueous crossings that were anchored to bedrock have generally fared better. MSD staff said the timing of park restoration and coordination with city park rehabilitation efforts post‑storm informed the construction schedule and alignments.

The presentation closed with MSD staff offering to provide additional technical information to council and noting upcoming public outreach as construction plans progress.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting – April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Metropolitan Sewer District officials told the Asheville City Council that MSD will replace the Carrier Bridge pump station — the system's largest station — with a deeper, higher‑capacity facility sited next to French Broad River Park.","taxTitle","Asheville City, Buncombe County, North Carolina","taxId",3915,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085715,"Votes at a glance: council authorizes CDBG‑DR submission, approves right‑of‑way closure, water rate phase and board appointments",3204,3092000,6296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902301-65c1cba06fbbfd8caba3849b4112ada5&start=3092&end=6296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902301-65c1cba06fbbfd8caba3849b4112ada5/thumbnail_3092000.jpg","/articles/6085715/Asheville-City/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-council-authorizes-CDBGDR-submission-approves-rightofway-closure-water-rate-phase-and-board-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085715-e96366b3af564a98f44c67d765f30fce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156591&Signature=CTaYwn06NFhyydDyWJd4cGntqTPwj8DPKiouf41qX-rdc6b-9N7HyXdI9yweKrdi8O~ft2jLjRiNxwhoVwm0OfXlhb6xWs44gyl5xt9NjXEzIjTKmlFEnhXMe-Ora1lzTt9oPYEqT1TFKIci32EkEVMh1aC3-c8P1fLEUQ3-J4ZkIbgkSHAbGq-53OC5Ax2Iu8Mx-FJ7W7WWU1JJjqf2AkPNde3K43IFKds6qTqA7Pmy2Rs~Iv3CvAHlIqW2Ml~fLSUHinGZjQCQ2hZxXrmK4xN1Uh3kTq0p2YGxVip0m-zYGwpzzdyTigGo8a4tbuXJ~nmkua14kDMscX5pA3niSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its meeting the Asheville City Council approved several formal actions on the consent and regular agendas. This summary lists each council action recorded in the meeting and the known outcome.

Votes and formal actions (selected):

• Authorization to submit the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG‑DR) Action Plan to HUD. Motion to authorize staff submission was moved by a council member identified in the record as Sage and seconded (second not recorded). Council approved the motion by voice vote; HUD review follows. The plan would allocate about $225,010,000 across infrastructure, housing and economic recovery programs.

• Permanent closure of a portion of an unopened right of way connected to Morningside Drive (petition from Nicholson and Son). Staff recommended approval; council opened and closed the public hearing and approved the closure on a voice vote. The right‑of‑way segment connects near Coventry Circle and Brevard Road and would allow the applicant to consolidate and subdivide the parcel as presented in staff materials.

• Fees and charges manual amendment for FY 2025–26 (water rate adjustment, year two of a three‑year phase and a new fee for Memorial Stadium track rentals). Staff framed the water increase as year two of an adopted three‑year rate plan tied to cost‑of‑service findings and capital needs; council approved the ordinance by voice vote. The track rental fee was set at $15 per hour.

• Appointments and reappointments to quasi‑judicial and advisory boards. Council appointed James Warnell Jr. to serve as an alternate member of the Board of Adjustment (chair/staff recommended Warnell); the Civil Service Board reappointed Carol Goins and Carter Webb and reappointed Carol Goins as chair. Votes were taken and recorded as passed by voice vote.

Consent agenda: council amended and approved the consent agenda as described at the start of the meeting (the record shows the consent agenda was amended to delete two previous items and to proceed without item E until public comment concluded). A single consent item (item E) was pulled for public comment; after the public speaker the council approved item E by voice vote.

Notes on vote records: most votes in the transcript were taken by voice and recorded as \"aye\" or \"any opposed?\"; transcript does not record roll‑call tallies or named yes/no votes for these items. Where the mover or second was spoken, the transcript record notes who moved (for example, one motion was moved by \"Sage\"); detailed roll‑call outcomes were not published in the oral record excerpt.","The Asheville City Council approved several routine and major actions at its April meeting, including authorizing submission of a $225 million CDBG‑DR plan to HUD, a right‑of‑way closure, a water‑rate phase and several board appointments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085721,"Community criticizes process for appointing downtown BID steering committee; resident urges pause to review applications",255,211000,466000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902301-65c1cba06fbbfd8caba3849b4112ada5&start=211&end=466","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902301-65c1cba06fbbfd8caba3849b4112ada5/thumbnail_211000.jpg","/articles/6085721/Asheville-City/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Community-criticizes-process-for-appointing-downtown-BID-steering-committee-resident-urges-pause-to-review-applications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085721-4342a7e3d01082f47bc9c82ce3fd92dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156591&Signature=ZaoVa3Q~6vMiB05N47mYSo~f8Pxup7EK9h5exv5utrIDslSWQvuXyGno88nnZXKtcvq2fvLxcU0q4PeWC~Cfkydnon2UmNip~3q5PMde7bZbiUiulqJ1mg5MFzAy1uetj~LfToWfG5mcoLr8av7etQxttHaOm-9jfO6CaNFHBbp8pH3SKHX6PZ7ph9JwFWdaZqyMVr3cEJ0D2bgzbmzdb9HDiTF157yf05YgXzprcBqXOBe1RbXYm0nP-eumk80BxlXshCBrNUvutpHgReaL0W2ENnuP3ayj5B0ytbSGXF27vrEb~zjZ6HSKdEOs0ey6YWl3OkuUFH672pUpZfalPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A downtown‑focused public comment item prompted council members and a resident to raise transparency concerns about the city’s process for appointing a steering committee for a proposed downtown Business Improvement District (BID).

Patrick Conant, director of Sunshine Labs, told council the resolution authorizing appointments required that \"all applications will be made available to city council and the public prior to making appointments,\" and he said the full list of applications was not published with the agenda as the resolution specifies. \"If the city had these in hand, why weren't they published with the rest of the agenda materials as your resolution explicitly requires you to do?\" Conant asked. He urged council to pause the appointment process, fully review the applications and develop a process to ensure the steering committee represents the city.

A council member responding to the public comment (identified in the meeting as a council speaker) thanked residents and staff, said Vice Mayor Mosley will hold a non‑voting seat representing council on the proposed Downtown Association District Board, and reported she would not vote to advance the board that day because of concerns about whether the business improvement district is the right tool for downtown. The council member cited downtown issues including behavioral health crises, homelessness and pedestrian safety as reasons to take extra care in the selection process.

Council ultimately moved the nomination to the consent agenda and then took up the single consent item after public comment; the transcript shows the consent item was approved following the discussion. Members of the public and Conant urged greater transparency and a council role in vetting nominees for any steering committee that will administer public funds.","A resident speaker and council members raised transparency concerns after the full list of applications for a downtown Business Improvement District steering committee was not published with agenda materials. The speaker urged council to pause appointment and fully review applicants; a council member said she would not vote to advance the board.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085727,"Volunteer working group recommends 28 changes to city boards and commissions, urges centralized support and formal review process",950,1705000,2655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902301-65c1cba06fbbfd8caba3849b4112ada5&start=1705&end=2655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902301-65c1cba06fbbfd8caba3849b4112ada5/thumbnail_1705000.jpg","/articles/6085727/Asheville-City/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Volunteer-working-group-recommends-28-changes-to-city-boards-and-commissions-urges-centralized-support-and-formal-review-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085727-d99a4171cb800b45dd5e53e5a8a18a04/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156591&Signature=eUnSFKJ-AIbU6RSlunmAFZHjIxDOtFCjvTHO0TnAIN8PtJKESmw3xzSWVa5HYTsThbRCZVRu46GCXvC4lo8saLihrwlgECJohbmSuvnc7AVE1qDQNMgOPJ-kjrIRJis4U6wAG7o6C064rRRwpvXTHqPilbCnFG7v3N1S0lFm1gisPKeatpxmT9GlfL99C-A5~IF03d~Vcb9wIqWsoAv7gyLgEz3UnfLg3XnVraW3yCIBmMXUGKw2fFN0eTjpUGXAForjqXNvh09P3Fr2w-GzV9OZFEyfGzU92YG0zc6oBR023FYv~5hKFE8waj1VJ3Mj2C4QVp3QBhcMzPDVkBYfHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A volunteer Boards and Commissions Realignment Working Group presented 28 recommendations to the Asheville City Council that aim to standardize advisory board practices, improve alignment with council priorities and centralize operational support.

Elise Marter, speaking for the working group, said the recommendations grew from a membership survey and staff liaison survey, and emphasized formalizing goal‑setting, instituting regular board reviews, improving recruitment and accommodations, and creating a public database to track board recommendations. \"We recommend that council reviews each board's annual goals and confirms that all board goals are aligned with council priorities,\" Marter said, and urged a transparent review process that does not automatically equate review with dissolution.

The group recommended centralizing logistical and operational support — likely within the city clerk’s office — while preserving departmental staff liaisons as subject matter experts. The working group highlighted underrepresentation of Black residents, people under 35 and people without four‑year degrees on boards and recommended options such as stipends, childcare, translation and alternative materials to reduce barriers to participation.

Members asked council to restart paused boards that have not met since the aftermath of recent storms, including the recreation board and the Citizens Police Advisory Committee, and to prioritize creation of a water advisory board as recommended by an independent water outage review. Marter said the group complied with open‑meetings law for its work and encouraged council committees to take up the proposed review and implementation steps; council members responded that follow‑up meetings will be scheduled in late April or early May.

The working group presentation did not trigger an immediate vote; council members thanked the volunteers and said staff and council will follow up on scheduling and next steps.","A volunteer Realignment Working Group delivered 28 recommendations to council to standardize advisory board roles, formalize review processes, centralize staff support (likely in the clerk's office) and expand measures to improve representation and accessibility for board members.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085732,"City seeks HUD approval for $225 million disaster‑recovery action plan after broad public input",2448,3147000,5595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902301-65c1cba06fbbfd8caba3849b4112ada5&start=3147&end=5595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902301-65c1cba06fbbfd8caba3849b4112ada5/thumbnail_3147000.jpg","/articles/6085732/Asheville-City/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/City-seeks-HUD-approval-for-225-million-disasterrecovery-action-plan-after-broad-public-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085732-ade9c822acea561e14bee0669c806888/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156591&Signature=DICzFiaKrM7fCSQh5oA6nDcPHA7qBS3GSFVgRctKN1ckh~oyALTiF6~bxCDxGz9-Z7hMyXTRSz6Z~wNbKu3c~WS7SoeqnpdBfgTpQNYNtOHPLqL41OUyALQ52JZYrad6civc00JQl-7K3ftEnprr-vXQMxz0gg7u3aG~6YaVUuwqdhWPkKS8NUMvtlxHGI26df2hrKSfQjnxAtP9lNADNhm2S30QG9lW~LcLjBMzFlTKPx87mooTPkZkaqOCGXIH468lLBln~A~JwNq0ROOg60p9lj4M66hG64-9wBYjY-SkaPwDfwn3di~YbCLMnaAehfr-YMHH8wk1W56M0BIClQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff asked the Asheville City Council to authorize submission of a $225,010,000 Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG‑DR) action plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for review and approval.

Staff member James Shelton, who led the presentation, told council the plan is the product of a community engagement process that generated more than 350 public comments during a 30‑day public comment period and multiple feedback sessions. \"This has been the most collaborative effort I have ever been a part of,\" Shelton said, and he described changes made to the draft plan in response to public input.

The draft plan allocates the city’s direct CDBG‑DR award roughly as follows: about $125 million for infrastructure, $52 million for economic revitalization, and about $31 million for housing, with additional funding for public services, planning and mitigation. Shelton said staff reallocated $5 million from infrastructure — $2 million to small business support, $1 million to planning, and $2 million to multifamily construction — after public comment emphasized those needs. He also said the plan includes a roughly $29 million mitigation set‑aside to support resilience work woven through housing, infrastructure and economic projects.

Shelton said HUD will have up to 45 days to review the plan and request changes; staff expect to receive a grant agreement this summer and begin implementation later this year. He told council the city coordinated with the State of North Carolina’s larger CDBG‑DR program and intends to partner with the state for homeowner rehabilitation and reconstruction programs in the city.

Council members and public commenters praised the community engagement process and urged the city to prioritize climate resilience, deeper housing affordability and staffing for implementation. Rachel Cohen of Sunrise Movement WNC urged the city to require new housing built with grant funds to include onsite renewable generation and storage and to use the funds to expand electric transit. Other commenters raised food security, small‑business access and resilience hubs as priorities.

Council voted to authorize staff to submit the action plan to HUD for review and approval. Shelton and staff cautioned the document before council is the beginning of the implementation process and that the plan will be amended and shaped as the city and partners begin project selection and contract work.","City staff asked council to authorize submission of a $225,010,000 Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG‑DR) action plan to HUD. The plan allocates funds toward infrastructure, housing and economic recovery after Tropical Storm Helene and will be adjusted during implementation as HUD and state guidance require.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Metropolitan Sewer District outlines $105 million Carrier Bridge pump station replacement, flags park impacts and multiyear construction

Votes at a glance: council authorizes CDBG‑DR submission, approves right‑of‑way closure, water rate phase and board appointments

Community criticizes process for appointing downtown BID steering committee; resident urges pause to review applications

Volunteer working group recommends 28 changes to city boards and commissions, urges centralized support and formal review process

City seeks HUD approval for $225 million disaster‑recovery action plan after broad public input