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City staff: ARPA program 94% spent, recovery engagement and riverfront outreach planned
Summary
City officials reported $26.3 million in ARPA awards across 32 projects and said 94% of funds have been paid out; the city will continue reporting impact data through 2026 and begin Riverfront Revitalization public engagement in late 2025.
City staff provided an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) status update on Nov. 18, saying the city has awarded 32 projects from a $26.3 million allocation and met federal obligations on time. The presentation, delivered by a city management representative (Kim), said 100% of funds were obligated by the December 2024 statutory obligation deadline and that 94% of the funds have been paid out to date.
Kim told council the city pivoted some ARPA funds to assist in Hurricane Helene recovery and that Treasury’s flexibility allowed local officials to adjust projects to meet emergent recovery needs. Staff said they are working to move from activity and output reporting toward 'how much better off' — that is, impact measurement — and plan to deliver an impact‑focused report and a final Treasury report by April 2027. The city also manages $3.6 million in Buncombe County emergency‑shelter funds (managed by the city by agreement), and staff noted partnerships with nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity and ABCCM to deliver housing and homelessness projects.
Jamie Matthews (assistant to the city manager, deputy recovery coordinator) previewed upcoming public engagement on riverfront recovery projects, announcing an open house at Asheville Middle School on Dec. 10 and additional pop‑up events, surveys and focused conversations to inform designs for French Broad riverfront parks and Azalea Park recovery. Staff emphasized that the first engagement round will focus on listening and will inform concept designs in 2026 and beyond.
Council later adopted the city’s section of the Buncombe County Helene Recovery Plan (Section 7.2), a high‑level package of city projects prepared with FEMA and county partners; staff said project‑level funding sources and implementation steps will be developed through subsequent project planning and community engagement.
Staff encouraged continued public participation and said more technical and impact data would be shared with council ahead of the final ARPA/Treasury reporting cycle.
