NC 251/Riverside Drive Greenway Feasibility Study
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Buncombe County, NC NC 251 / Riverside Drive Greenway Feasibility Study Acknowledgments Buncombe County Recreation Services Josh O’Conner, Department Director Karla Furnari, Greenway Planner Steering Committee Lucy Crown, City of Asheville Stephanie Monson-Dahl, City of Asheville Kirstina Solberg, NCDOT Division 13 Ricky Tipton, NCDOT Division 13 Lyuba Zuyeva, French Broad River MPO Consultant Team AECOM Technical Services of North Carolina 2 NC 251 / River Road Greenway Feasibility Study Table of Contents 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................6 1.1 Overview of Study Area ...................................................................................... 6 1.2 Purpose and Methodology ................................................................................. 8 1.3 Existing Plans ....................................................................................................... 9 2. Design Considerations .............................................................................12 2.1 Natural Environment ......................................................................................... 12 2.2 Human Environment ......................................................................................... 14 2.3 Design Criteria and Exceptions ......................................................................... 20 3. Alignment Alternatives ...........................................................................22 3.1 Segment Descriptions ........................................................................................ 22 4. Public Involvement ..................................................................................30 4.1 Steering Committee Meeting #1 ....................................................................... 30 4.2 Steering Committee Meeting #2 ....................................................................... 31 4.3 Greenway Segment Evaluation ......................................................................... 32 5. Proposed Alternatives .............................................................................36 5.1 Purple-Orange Alternative ................................................................................. 36 5.2 Green-Blue Alternative ..................................................................................... 38 5.3 Coordination Opportunities .............................................................................. 39 6. Conclusion and Next Steps ......................................................................40 Sources .......................................................................................................41 NC 251 / River Road Greenway Feasibility Study 3 Figures Figure 1 Study Area ..........................................................................................................7 Figure 2 Planning Process Diagram .................................................................................8 Figure 3 Riverside Drive North Concepts - Wilma Dykeman Riverway Master Plan ..... 9 Figure 4 Greenweys Map - Asheville in Motion Mobility Plan .....................................10 Figure 5 Corridor Maps - Buncombe County Greenways and Trails Master Plan .......11 Figure 6 Project Design Considerations ........................................................................16 Figure 7 Alternative Segments Map ..............................................................................24 Figure 8 Alternative Green Typical Section ...................................................................26 Figure 9 Alternative Purple Typical Section ..................................................................26 Figure 10 Alternative Blue Typical Section ......................................................................27 Figure 11 Alternative Orange Typical Section .................................................................27 Figure 12 Alternative Pink Typical Section .....................................................................28 4 NC 251 / River Road Greenway Feasibility Study Tables Table 1 Landfill and Hazardous Materials ...................................................................18 Table 2 Multipurpose Recreational Trail Design Criteria ............................................20 Table 3 Segment Description ......................................................................................23 Table 4 Segment Analysis Matrix ................................................................................32 Table 5 Opinion of Probable Cost by Segment ...........................................................34 Table 6 Cost Component for Purple-Orange Alternative ...........................................38 Table 7 Cost Component for Green-Blue Alternative w/ Optional Loop ...................39 NC 251 / River Road Greenway Feasibility Study 5 INTRODUCTION Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 - Overview This feasibility study examines the opportunities and constraints of constructing a greenway of approximately one mile that runs parallel to the French Broad River and Riverside Drive in the City of Asheville, Buncombe County. The limits of the study area of this greenway, referred to as the Riverside Drive Greenway within this document, include the French Broad River to the west, I-26 to the east, Broadway Street to the north, and Hill Street to the south (Figure 1). Buncombe County Recreation Services is leading this feasibility study for the Riverside Drive Greenway with AECOM providing technical support. View of French Broad River from Study Area 6 NC 251 / River Road Greenway Feasibility Study INTRODUCTION Figure 1 Study Area NC 251 / River Road Greenway Feasibility Study 7 INTRODUCTION 1.2 - Purpose and Methodology A steering committee was formed of area stakeholders that included representatives from Buncombe County, This feasibility study examines a multi-use/multi-modal, the City of Asheville, the French Broad River Metropolitan paved greenway that would provide a vital protected Planning Organization, and the North Carolina Department bicycle and pedestrian connection between Broadway of Transportation (NCDOT) Division 13. As part of this Street and Hill Street, completing an important segment feasibility study, two meetings were held with the steering in the greenway system. Since greenway facilities and committee to gather input and feedback. other pedestrian accommodations are planned for the areas north and south of the study area along the French The feasibility study is a product of known factors and Broad River, as well as along Broadway Street and Hill assumptions at the time the assessments were completed. Street, this project will be examining alternatives that The feasibility study does not represent an absolute plan provide connections between these adjacent facilities. or intent to proceed with the project, but does create the This feasibility study considers existing plans addressing foundation for future efforts and serves as reference for the Riverside Drive Greenway study area and how the decision makers. Changes within the project environment natural and human environments determine the design including transitions in land ownership, permitting opportunities and constraints for greenway alignment requirements, etc. will result in divergence from the alternatives. presented study. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES Segment evaluation based Analysis of existing Development and evaluation on input from stakeholders conditions and design of greenway alignment through steering committee criteria alternatives meetings Natural Human Steering Greenway Alignment Preferred Environment Environment Committee Segment Alternatives Alternatives Meetings Evaluation Topography, Right-of- Segment Preferred Floodplain/ way, Bridges, City of Asheville Comprehensive Descriptions, Alternative Floodway, Culverts, French Broad Analysis of each Path Analysis Selection, Streams and Railroad, River MPO segment Matrix Potential Wetlands Landfill, Existing Impacts, Cost Bicycle/ Buncombe Estimates Pedestrian County Infrastructure NCDOT Design Criteria Feedback Loop and Exceptions Curve Radius, Landing Spacing Figure 2 Planning Process Diagram 8 NC 251 / River Road Greenway Feasibility Study INTRODUCTION 1.3 - Existing Plans The City of Asheville, North Carolina Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts, and Greenways Master Plan (2009) states local support for new and improved greenway access throughout the region around the City of Asheville. Survey results identify that over 70 percent of the surveyed population considered paved recreational paths, more trail connections, and unpaved or natural trails as very important. Greenways and better pedestrian/bike access were listed as the top community priorities. The Riverside Drive Greenway is a segment of the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Corridor (RiverWay), which has been included in the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Master Plan (2004) and the Buncombe County Greenways and Trails Master Plan (2012). The Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Master Plan prioritizes seven districts along the French Broad River and Swannanoa River. District 1, Riverside Drive North of the plan encompasses the Riverside Drive Greenway study area. The plan calls for landscaping improvements and a continuous trail along Riverside Drive, which is the northern entrance to the entire RiverWay. In addition, the plan encourages the acquisition and conversion of parcels with inappropriate or unattractive