Edwin - Celia - Canterbury Stormwater Improvement Project
Edwin - Celia - Canterbury Stormwater Improvement Project
The Edwin - Celia - Canterbury Stormwater Improvements Project addresses recurring roadway and property flooding in the Edwin Place, Celia Place, Sunset Parkway, and Canterbury Road area. The project replaces aging stormwater infrastructure that no longer meets current capacity needs and poses risks to public safety, historic structures, and property.
Project goals include:
Reducing roadway flooding and protecting historic properties.
Preventing downstream flooding and erosion.
Preserving the historic and community character of the neighborhood.
Improving overall water quality.
The proposed improvements combine upgraded stormwater pipes and culverts with new storage features, such as a restored natural stream and wetlands at Grove Park and a natural earthen berm at Sunset Parkway, to reduce local flooding while managing downstream impacts.
Happening Now
The City of Asheville is advancing design and permitting for five improvement areas:
E.W. Grove lower park pipe removal and natural stream/wetland conversion
Celia Place pipe replacement
Sunset Parkway natural earthen berm
Edwin Place/Murdock Avenue culvert replacement
Canterbury Road pipe installation
The City of Asheville is committed to transparency and keeping the community informed every step of the way. Neighborhood meetings, workshops and surveys have been held throughout the project, and community feedback was used to shape designs. The City will continue to share updates as the project moves forward.
Background
Significant flooding occurs in the project area every two to three years, often requiring roadway closures and rerouting of traffic, including emergency services. Several historic homes and institutional buildings along Edwin Place and Celia Place have reported repeated flooding, threatening their structural stability.
The Grove Park and Albemarle Park neighborhoods—both historic districts—were designed with Olmsted-inspired naturalistic landscaping, curving streets, and stonework that remain defining features today. The stormwater project has been carefully designed to respect this historic character by using historically appropriate materials, preserving trees where possible, and incorporating educational and recreational elements into new stormwater features.
Funding for the project is supported through the City of Asheville’s Capital Improvement Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Recurring roadway and property flooding poses risks to public safety, damages historic structures, and strains downstream stormwater systems. The existing infrastructure is outdated and undersized.
The improvements will replace deteriorating pipes and culverts while adding storage features that slow and filter stormwater. This combination reduces roadway closures, protects homes, and prevents worsening downstream flooding.
No historic structures will be removed or altered. Construction will include protective measures for foundations near work areas. New visible features, such as catch basins and headwalls, will be designed to match existing community aesthetics.
Design elements include stonework, curvilinear walkways, native plantings, and educational signage that honor the historic Olmsted and Beadle landscape vision while integrating modern stormwater solutions.
Since 2017, the City has hosted public meetings, field workshops, and design feedback sessions. Project updates have been shared through newsletters, postcards, neighborhood associations, and a dedicated project webpage.
The project requires approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NC Department of Environmental Quality, Asheville Historic Resources Commission, and the Asheville Tree Commission.
Contact Information
Nicole Peterson, Stormwater Capital Program Manager
npeterson@ashevillenc.gov
828-259-5547