We have been steadily working on a number of long-standing projects and recently introduced some new projects, all to benefit Haw Creek residents and the greater community. Following is an update on projects that are currently in the works.

New Haw Creek Road Sidewalk

Yes, it’s coming despite the delays due to the NCDOT review process. Here is the current status:

 ~ NCDOT is in the process of approving the final revisions to the bid manual. 

 ~ The formal authorization to construct will be submitted as soon as the DOT approval is received.

 ~ The bid advertisement date is scheduled for August.

 ~ Bids are scheduled to be due September 19—this date is in the bid manual that DOT is reviewing. There are things that could impact this but it is an indication of a more committed date, which will be in the DOT approved documents. 
 ~ Assuming three bids are received, City Council will vote on the construction contract at their October council meeting.

Beverly Road Pedestrian Bridge

Complex technical difficulties involving FEMA flood elevations have delayed building a bridge over Haw Creek, utilizing the AT&T girder, that will connect the parking lot at Creekside Taphouse with the one on the other side of the creek. This bridge will enable pedestrians to cross without stepping into traffic on Beverly Road. The general contractor needs to make two changes in the design as requested by the city and then they should approve the permit. Once the permit is in hand construction can begin. In 2022, HCCA secured a $5,000 grant from the city’s Neighborhood Matching Grant program for this project, however, the bulk of the funding is being provided by Creekside Taphouse.

Haw Creek Park Greenway   

HCCA’s grant application before the Buncombe County Open Spaces Fund is progressing through the required stages. Our application passed an initial set of screenings and we presented at an invitation-only session with the county grant committee. We also recently led a site visit for representatives of the county fund and their positive feedback encourages us to be optimistic. The bond committee has shifted their timeline and we are now expecting a final decision in October. 

Monitoring Haw Creek Water Quality

HCCA recently submitted a request to the city’s Neighborhood Matching Grant program for funds to add two monitoring stations on Haw Creek to determine current conditions and track water quality and watershed changes over time. Haw Creek is a significant tributary to the French Broad River, which is currently listed as "impaired" for water quality (mostly due to bacteria) and we don't have any data on our historic or current water quality conditions in Haw Creek. The Environmental Quality Institute maintains a network of water quality monitoring stations across western NC that are sampled by volunteers. These volunteers collect monthly water samples that are analyzed by EQI staff and the data helps identify potential water quality issues. 

Haw Creek Wildfire Evaluation Plan

In response to concerns raised by community members about the lack of a wildfire evacuation plan for Haw Creek, HCCA recently submitted a request to the city’s Neighborhood Matching Grant program for funds to contract with Dustin Bradley, an experienced firefighter and a woodland-urban interface technician who also consults about wildfire preparation. He's outlined the parameters for a Firewise study, which would address early warning systems, evacuation procedures, analysis of varying degrees of fire risk associated within different sections of the valley, landscaping strategies, and use of flame retardant construction materials. We look forward to providing a presentation to the community on these issues.

Open Space Preservation

HCCA has established a committee to identify some of the remaining large tracts of undeveloped land within the Haw Creek valley and explore potential conservation options. Committee members are talking with local land conservancies about their policies and practices. Our goal is to talk with land owners and gauge their interest in preserving their property for future generations.

With the exception of the city sidewalk, these projects are led by HCCA board volunteers and supported by membership dues and donations.