From Staff Reports

Public spending over the next six years will total about $50 million for improvements  — greenways, road rerouting and other infrastructure upgrades — in Asheville’s River Arts District, according to city officials.

What’s more, about $200 million in private investment will accompany the public funding for improving the former industrial district that has been in a state of decay for years.

The overhaul is being led by the city, although about 50 percent of public money is coming from federal and state sources.

Among the most controversial aspects of the projects is the proposal for a roundabout at the intersection of Lyman Street and Riverside Drive, the construction of which would include the removal of the nationally renowned 12 Bones Restaurant and its parking lot.

Chris Peterson, owner of the land currently occupied by 12 Bones, has said he fears the property will fall victim to road rerouting.

However, most changes center on a roughly 2-mile strip of land on the east bank of the French Broad River — an area running from the intersection of Riverside Drive and Hill Street in the north to the intersection of Lyman Street and Amboy Road in the south. 

The 2-mile strip is the heart of the former industrial region, now populated by artists. However, the entire area for which funding is allocated and in which projects are happening is larger.

The French Broad River Greenway West is set to start in the north, just above the $140 million New Belgium Brewery under construction. Its new portion will finish at French Broad River Park.

To the east, work will include Town Branch Greenway and Livinston Street “complete street” projects.

In the north, construction associated with the Clingman Forest Greenway will stretch all the way to Hilliard Avenue.