Biltmore Village Sidewalks, Infrastructure Damaged by Helene Get $2.5M for Repairs

Biltmore Village's Historic Sidewalks and Infrastructure to Be Restored

ASHEVILLE - The "picturesque" historic sidewalks of Biltmore Village may soon be restored to their former glory. The city of Asheville has received nearly $2.5 million in grants from the North Carolina Department of Commerce's Small Business Infrastructure Grant Programs to support Biltmore Village Tropical Storm Helene recovery projects.

The funding is part of a $14 million release in program grant projects, with over $1.5 million allocated for restoring historic brick sidewalks and curbing in Biltmore Village. Additionally, $968,530 will support rebuilding 36 ADA-accessible ramps throughout the commercial district devastated by Helene. One of Asheville's major commercial districts, Biltmore Village was hit hard when the Swannanoa River reached a record height of 27.33 feet on Sept. 27, 2024, flooding the district's hotels, restaurants, and shops.

“We’ve seen firsthand how important these infrastructure projects are to keeping small businesses open and communities thriving,” said Assistant Secretary for Rural Development at the North Carolina Department of Commerce Reginald Speight in the news release. “Every repaired sidewalk, every replaced water line, and every restored main street represents hope and economic opportunity for the people who call these towns home.”

The $55 million grant program was announced in April. After the $14 million release, nearly $32 million remains in the program, according to Stein's office.

Supporting Small Businesses in Biltmore Village

Biltmore Village was selected for grants to help buoy 50 small businesses. The district sits just outside of the Biltmore Estate, which receives over 1.7 million visitors annually. Public infrastructure damaged by the storm includes "brick sidewalks, granite curbing, sewer grates, decorative street lights, and street trees and landscaping," according to a city of Asheville staff report on the grant.

A year after the storm, roughly "50%-60%" of businesses have reopened, director of public relations for the Historic Biltmore Village Association Kara Irani told the Citizen Times Nov. 13. Some businesses have had remarkable comebacks, like Corner Kitchen, while others have had to make the choice of closing permanently. As the first major investment from a public entity to repair Biltmore Village's infrastructure, the grants will help maintain the district's historic character and restore infrastructure, Irani said.

"It is significant for the private business owners and property owners here who have continued to invest their own time and resources into bringing the Village back to life since the storm," Irani wrote in an email to the Citizen Times.

Small businesses affected by Helene reported an average $322,000 in losses, according to a report from the Asheville-based nonprofit Mountain BizWorks. In August, the city estimated that around 50 small businesses were supported by the sidewalks and ADA-accessible infrastructure damaged by Helene.

Preserving Historic Character and Accessibility

Biltmore Village has been officially designated as a historic district since 1979, when it was determined eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district includes a variety of historic sites, including the Richard Morris Hunt-designed Cathedral of All Souls and 14 historic cottages designed by Richard Sharp Smith, the architect who helped design the Biltmore House.

Since its founding in the late 19th-century, the historic district has been known for its "brick sidewalks, and grassy strips" detailed in its original listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County recently gifted six grants of $25,000 for buildings in the historic district, the Citizen Times reported.

ADA-accessible infrastructure is also an important investment for the historic district, as bringing historic buildings up to ADA standards can often be "so expensive as to be prohibitive," Irani said.

"The investment in this public infrastructure is an important step towards accessibility, and we applaud the governor’s office, and the city of Asheville, for including this in their support for Biltmore Village," Irani said.

Other Grants Set Toward Regional Recovery

The full list of projects funded through the Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program includes:

• City of Asheville: $871,649 to support the restoration of approximately 3,000 square yards of historic brick sidewalks in Biltmore Village to preserve its character and improve accessibility and flood resilience.
• City of Asheville: $968,622 to support the reconstruction of 36 ADA-accessible ramps throughout Biltmore Village to enhance pedestrian safety and access for residents, visitors, and local businesses.
• City of Asheville: $652,530 to support the replacement of approximately 2,231 linear feet of historic curbing in Biltmore Village to improve stormwater management and restore the district’s historic aesthetic.
• Buncombe County: $979,069 to support the repair and reconstruction of 1.2 miles of sidewalks in Swannanoa to strengthen pedestrian connections to local businesses and enhance safety.
• Town of Black Mountain: $1 million to support the replacement of 710 linear feet of stormwater pipe along Sutton Avenue to reduce flood risk and improve community resilience and economic vitality.
• Town of Maggie Valley (Emergency): $928,320 to support the replacement of the municipal sewer pipe and bridge structure along US 276 spanning Jonathan Creek to restore critical sewer service.
• Town of Maggie Valley (Emergency): $626,300 to support stabilization and site preparation to protect critical sewer infrastructure at Jonathan Creek along US 276.
• City of Hendersonville: $850,000 to support the installation of 2,700 feet of new 10-inch waterline and fire hydrants to improve service redundancy and fire safety at Cane Creek Industrial Park.
• City of Hendersonville: $946,000 to support the restoration of 1,000 feet of downtown sidewalk and stormwater drainage along 7th Avenue East to ensure ADA compliance and prevent future damage.
• Town of Hot Springs: $267,182 to support the replacement of 300 square yards of deteriorated sidewalk and stormwater improvements along South Main Street to strengthen connectivity downtown.
• Town of Hot Springs: $641,238 to support the reconstruction of Bridge Street sidewalks – part of the Appalachian Trail corridor – to restore ADA access and support local businesses and tourism.
• Town of Hot Springs: $347,179 to support the restoration of sidewalks and ADA upgrades along North and South Andrews Avenue, including improved accessibility and utility conduit installation.
• Town of Marshall: $576,467 to support the replacement of damaged sidewalks along the north side of South Main Street to restore safe pedestrian access and ADA compliance.
• Town of Marshall: $931,522 to support the reconstruction of sidewalks along the south side of South Main Street with new ADA ramps, parking stalls, and utility adjustments.
• Town of Marshall: $399,446 to support the reconstruction of sidewalks along the north side of North Main Street to improve drainage and restore downtown accessibility.
• Town of Marshall: $595,859 to support the replacement of sidewalks along the south side of North Main Street with new ADA-compliant infrastructure to support small businesses.
• Town of Marshall: $235,197 to support the replacement of sidewalks and accessibility improvements along Bridge Street to enhance safety and connectivity between commercial areas.
• Town of Spruce Pine: $1 million to support the construction of new stormwater infrastructure along Sycamore Alley to protect eight local businesses and prevent property damage.
• Town of Bryson City (Emergency): $1 million to support the installation of 1,600 feet of new 12-inch HDPE water main under the Tuckaseegee River to restore a reliable water supply for small businesses.

See what’s open in the district: historicbiltmorevillage.com/whos-open-hurricane-recovery.