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County holds CDBG commercial-district hearing; Swannanoa sidewalks and HMGP property activation highlighted
Summary
Buncombe County held the first public hearing on CDBG Commercial District Revitalization funding on May 19. Staff outlined project concepts—HMGP property activation, Swannanoa sidewalks on Highway 70 (Warren Wilson Road to Woodson Avenue), corridor remediation, streambank stabilization—and invited public comment through June 5.
County planning staff held a required public hearing on May 19 for Buncombe County's Commercial District Revitalization Grant Applications under the state's CDBG-DR program following Hurricane Helene. Tyler Henry presented the program purpose, eligibility and proposed project concepts for local consideration.
Henry said the statewide allocation includes $111 million for commercial-district revitalization, with $40 million available in the first round and individual awards of up to $10 million; no local match is required and eligible applicants include local governments and nonprofits working with local governments. He outlined several project concepts under prescreening: activation of HMGP-acquired properties for public uses (greenways, recreation, agriculture), Swannanoa commercial corridor improvements focused on sidewalks along Highway 70 between Warren Wilson Road and Woodson Avenue, remediation and debris abatement for blighted storm-damaged commercial properties in unincorporated areas, and targeted streambank stabilization tying mitigation to resilience.
Tyler Henry said the public comment period remains open through June 5; two hearings are scheduled with the next hearing set for July 21 and an application deadline of August 4 (internal July 24). Commissioners asked technical questions about acquisition eligibility and HUD low- and moderate-income measurements (census-tract based). No members of the public signed up to speak during this particular hearing, and the board closed the hearing at 6:19 p.m.
Staff said public engagement is required and that comments will be included in the application record; the board did not take action that night beyond holding the required hearing.
