ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The team behind the inaugural Buncombe County Pedestrian Plan, a proposed network of sidewalks and crosswalks across the county, is seeking community perspective on 10 proposed projects.
The goal of the BCPP is to “connect neighborhoods to key places like schools, job centers and other important spots so people can walk more comfortably and conveniently,” Buncombe County wrote on the project page.
There will be several opportunities for the public to share their feedback with BCPP team members. The input will help guide the plan into action by the end of 2026.
The first is an online survey,which consists of four questions, available in English or Spanish. The survey outlines proposed projects in areas like U.S. 70 in Swannanoa, New Leicester Highway and North Louisiana Avenue in West Asheville, Smokey Park Highway in Candler, Brevard Road in Bent Creek, Long Shoals Road and Clayton Road in South Asheville and Sweeten Creek Road and Hendersonville Road around Royal Pines.
There will be several in-person feedback options, too.
From 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26, community members are invited to “share your experiences, ask questions and help shape the direction of this plan from the very beginning” at the Enka-Candler Library Community Room, 1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler, N.C.
From 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27, the BCPP team will partner with the Reshaping Owen Park Workshop team for a community meeting at ArtSpace Charter School, 2030 US-70, Swannanoa, N.C.
“Swannanoa is an important area identified in the Pedestrian Draft Plan, and we have seen how important sidewalk infrastructure is to residents through multiple community engagement efforts including the Swannanoa Small Area Plan,” BCPP said in a press release.
The BCPP is funded by federal aid through the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The project is expected to go before the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners in fall 2026.
For more information, visit engage.buncombecounty.org/pedestrianplan.
