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Dear Friends,
Asheville has faced incredible challenges, and I'm inspired by what we've proven we can do together. Our resilience has opened doors to possibilities we’ve only begun to explore, and that energy is the foundation for the future we’re building side by side. Later in this letter, I’ll share an important decision I’ve made in that spirit.
But first, I want to share what's on my mind as I look ahead.
What You Told Us Is Possible
When surveyed for the Long-Term Recovery Plan, you named the priorities that will shape a stronger future. I will continue to champion these alongside my commitment to a more affordable community: Read the draft here ow.ly/H39N50WZv3f
- Investing in infrastructure (water, roads, bridges, telecommunications) – 74%
- Disaster preparedness & resiliency – 55%
- Wildfire prevention – 53%
- Floodplain management – 49%
- Restoring streambanks – 48%
- Rebuilding parks – 47%
What We Proved Was Possible
Through devastation, we discovered our collective strength. Together, we achieved things many thought impossible:
- Water restored against all odds:
- Replaced and fortified the North Fork treatment plant 36-inch transmission lines (which was completely destroyed) within 15 days
- That repair enabled restoration of non-potable water service within 15 days
- Potable service fully restored in 53 days
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Emergency relief delivered with urgency: I advocated the allocation that our council made within weeks of the hurricane—$3.8M in direct recovery funds, including:
- $1.6M for rental assistance
- $750K for home repairs
- $1.3M for small business grants
- $150K for artist grants
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Parks reclaimed as places of joy: 90% of city-owned parks and all greenways are once again welcoming our community.
What We Will Make Possible Next
Now, we take the capability we’ve proven and carry it into the years ahead:
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A more secure water future: A third transmission line from the North Fork reservoir, designed to withstand the future while respecting the Swannanoa River.
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Historic investment in our city: I've been part of preparing Asheville to receive $225M in CDBG-DR funds, including:
- $125M for resilient infrastructure
- $52M for economic recovery
- $31M for housing
- Building back stronger in our cherished community spaces:
- French Broad Riverfront Parks
- Azalea Parks & Infrastructure
- The Municipal Golf Course
I'll continue keeping you informed every step of the way through my Rapid Recap videos and community meetups, ensuring you understand how recovery decisions are made.
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