Buncombe County is accepting public comments through Aug. 28 on three proposed infrastructure projects designed to address needs left by Helene. The proposals cover damaged parks, roads serving a county-owned affordable-housing site and backup power for critical county facilities.
The county is preparing the proposals for North Carolina’s competitive Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Community Infrastructure program. The first funding round makes approximately $55 million available statewide and caps funding for an individual project at $15 million.
The parks proposal would rebuild county parks damaged by Helene, including Owen, Alexander and Lake Julian. Its scope includes restoring park services, reducing risks from future disasters, supporting ecological restoration and improving long-term resilience and accessibility…