Happening Now

An existing portion of the Reed Creek Greenway spans about 0.86 miles from the intersection of Broadway St and WT Weaver Blvd to Elizabeth St. The City of Asheville received grant funding from the French Broad River Metropolitan Organization (FBRMPO) to conduct a feasibility study for extending the greenway. 

There are two undeveloped sections:  The northern section from the intersection of WT Weaver Blvd and Broadway St to the intersection of Broadway St and Riverside Dr.; and the southern section starting at Elizabeth St. and terminating at the Bacoate Branch Greenway trailhead near the intersection of Clingman Ave and Hilliard (Merritt St).

The feasibility study has the following objectives: 

• Investigate the alternative alignments that can complete the Reed Creek Greenway

• Select the preferred alignments to advance for capital project development

• Engage with property owners and stakeholders including City of Asheville departments; the Montford Neighborhood Association; the NCDOT; UNC-Asheville, the Asheville Botanical Garden Board; Isaac Dickson School; and private property owners

• Procure cost estimates to begin capital project planning.

The completion of the Reed Creek Greenway Corridor is an important part of the larger greenway network. It will strengthen transportation connectivity from downtown to North Asheville, UNCA, and the River Arts District. 

The City had a public survey open on the proposed extension of the Reed Creek Greenway from August 21 – October 1, 2023. A summary of the survey results can be found here. 

STUDY OVERVIEW

The Reed Creek Greenway is a 2.75-mile corridor in Asheville that spans Reed Creek from the French Broad River to Aston Park at the intersection of Clingman Avenue and Hilliard Avenue. The existing segment of the Reed Creek Greenway begins at the intersection of Broadway St and WT Weaver Blvd, connecting to Glenn’s Creek Greenway and follows Reed Creek to Elizabeth St.

This study will evaluate the potential route scenarios north and south of the existing Reed Creek Greenway. The northern corridor is proposed along Broadway St and Reed Creek from WT Weaver Blvd to NC-251. The southern corridor will evaluate routing options through the Historic Montford Area District from the existing Reed Creek Greenway trailhead at Elizabeth St to the I-240/US-70 pedestrian bridge near Isaac Dickson Elementary School. These segments of the Reed Creek Greenway will close key gaps in Asheville’s greenway network as they will provide connections to the Wilma Dykeman Greenway along the French Broad River, West Asheville Greenway, Bacoate Branch Greenway, Downtown, and the River Arts District. 

The Reed Creek Greenway Feasibility Study will evaluate potential route scenarios along roadways and off-road corridors to determine the preferred route. The study will also develop cost estimates and an implementation plan to construct the greenway.

The project is led by the City of Asheville, with support from the following partners: French Broad River MPO, NCDOT, Town of Woodfin, Town of Weaverville, Buncombe County, and UNC Asheville.