Building a Community at Ferry Road: What's Next?

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is moving forward with plans to develop its Ferry Road property with conservation, affordability, and public recreation at the heart of this proposed community. With 60% percent of the property earmarked for conservation and more than half of the apartments and single-family homes reserved for affordable housing, this development is poised to offer a new framework for development that can offer long-term solutions to the affordable housing crisis.

The Board of Commissioners heard an update and overview of the plan from UNC Chapel Hill School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative (DFI) at their regular meeting on Oct. 3. DFI will be hosting upcoming information sessions to share this overview with our community.

Upcoming meetings and next steps

Visit publicinput.com/ferryroad to learn more about the project and find a meeting.

Join us at an upcoming information session:

• Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 5-7 p.m. | Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sand Hill Rd., Asheville
• Saturday, Oct. 28 | 9-11 a.m. | Virtual session
• Thursday, Nov. 9 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | 200 College Street, downstairs conference room, Asheville

Find these meetings and register for the virtual session here.

The County will begin soliciting a master development partner in 2024 to realize its vision for an equitable, mixed income community that aligns with the goals of the Buncombe County 2025 Strategic Plan by emphasizing environmental stewardship, creation of recreational opportunities, and development of affordable housing.  

We are pursuing a plan that features at least 650 residences, with more than half of the apartments and single-family homes reserved for affordable housing. The community will offer opportunities for households earning less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) such as teachers, childcare workers, and first responders, to rent or buy a home surrounded by abundant natural resources. A key feature is the conservation of 70+ acres along the French Broad River, guaranteeing protections of tributaries and an ecologically significant wetland. Additional benefits include potential access to childcare and/or health care facility on site and recreational opportunities with a community green, pocket parks, and nearly 4 miles of new trails and greenway connecting the community to larger Buncombe County trail network.

After gathering input and feedback over the course of several meeting with neighbors, community organizations, and the general public, the plan was created to meet the following goals, or guiding public interests:

Development of the Ferry Road site should:

• Create a diverse, mixed-income, multi-generational community.
• Be a model for sustainability & stewardship by conserving at least 55% of the site’s natural resources.
• Be a hub and connector for recreational opportunities and provide equitable access to residents.
• Provide equitable transportation access and prioritize pedestrian and bicyclists.
• Include commercial or service-oriented uses that are “harmonious” with residential uses.
• Optimize public investment and attract private investment.