Buncombe OKs staff to submit two CDBG-DR applications including $10M Swannanoa sidewalks plan

Buncombe County commissioners on July 21 authorized staff to submit two applications for the state’s Commercial District Revitalization (CDBG-DR/CDR) funding before the Aug. 4 deadline.

County staff presented two recommended projects: a Swannanoa sidewalks project requesting the program maximum ($10,000,000) to build approximately 2 miles of new sidewalk along the US 70/Swannanoa commercial corridor, and a second application requesting just under $9,000,000 to support remediation of storm-damaged commercial properties across unincorporated commercial corridors (removal of unsafe structures, debris abatement and enforcement to move properties toward recovery). Staff said both applications meet HUD national objectives and the state’s eligibility criteria.

Staff highlighted statewide context—approximately $111,000,000 allocated to commercial district revitalization with about $40,000,000 available in the first round—and said individual applications are capped at $10,000,000. The county offered a four-week public comment period and received six comments, most supporting the proposed submissions.

During public comment, Swannanoa residents and organizers pressed for the sidewalk project as a safety and recovery priority. Carol Groban, a resident and member of community groups in Swannanoa, said there is currently “literally no safe place to walk on US 70 in Swannanoa” and added, “No nobody should have to risk their life to walk to the store.” Megan McCreery, a member of Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa and the pedestrian master plan steering committee, described the lack of pedestrian infrastructure near schools, a library and community services and referenced a stretch locally called “Dead Man’s Curve.” Matt Barker, FANS board chair, urged investment to signal commitment to Swannanoa’s recovery.

Commissioners asked staff whether the non-sidewalk application needed a precisely mapped geographic boundary; staff said the application would cover county unincorporated commercial corridors but focus initial work in heavily damaged areas identified through inspections (Swannanoa, Barnardsville, Lester and Fairview). After board questions, a motion to authorize staff to submit both applications passed on a voice vote.

Staff will incorporate any final board direction and public feedback and submit both applications before the state’s Aug. 4 deadline; the county noted approximately $71,000,000 will remain available in later rounds of the program.