New Streets New Business
Promoting Small-Town Economic Development • Creating Safe Connections • Strengthening Flood Resiliency
The Hendersonville Downtown Streets Modernization project will improve safety for all travel modes, contribute to the quality of life of area residents and visitors, enhance local connectivity, and promote small-town economic development through the provision of 0.7 miles of safe, convenient, and modernized streets. The two project components will expand safe and accessible pedestrian infrastructure, improve public safety, and boost Hendersonville’s status as a regional economic and tourism hub.
Key Details:
- Project Location: Hendersonville, NC
- Project Length: .7 miles
- Grand Administration: NCDOT in partnership with the City of Hendersonville
- Estimated Completion Date: 2032
- This 2026 application includes components of the
City's 2025 BUILD grant application, which received a
Project of Merit designation.
Project Goals:
- Create Safe Connections
- Revitalize Local Businesses
- Strengthen Disaster Resiliency
66% of the project cost will be spent within an Area of Persistent Poverty
Project Map
Application Documents
- Downtown Streets Modernization Project Application
- Downtown Streets Modernization Project Executive Summary
- Downtown Streets Modernization Project Benefit-Cost Analysis Narrative
- Downtown Streets Modernization Project Benefit-Cost Analysis Calculations
Community Engagement
The project is supported by over a decade of previous planning efforts, studies, and public engagement showing strong technical feasibility and public support.
The residents of Henderson County have been continually engaged with this project since 2018. The project components have been included in plans and studies which engaged the public broadly, as well as key stakeholders such as local business owners and advocacy groups. The thoroughness of these public engagement efforts ensures each project component will deliver the greatest benefit to the community.
Over 580 residents were engaged with the previous grant process, with the overwhelming majority in support. Strong public support for each project component is documented by the Above the Mud Trail Feasibility Study (2024), 7th Avenue Design (2018-ongoing), the City of Hendersonville’s Parks and Greenspace Plan (2024), City of Hendersonville Gen H 2045 Comprehensive Plan, Walk Hendo Pedestrian Plan (2023), and public engagement in preparation for the 2022 Reconnecting Communities grant application, and for the City's 2025 and 2026 BUILD Grant applications.
Letters of Support
City of Hendersonville Commitment Letter
Elected Officials
US Representative Chuck Edwards
NC Representative Jennifer Balkcom
Governments and Boards
French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization
Henderson County Parks & Recreation
Hendersonville Police Department
Land of Sky Council of Governments
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Businesses
NC Holdings/Chariff Realty Group
Education
Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County
Henderson County Public Schools
Health Care
Henderson County Department of Public Health
Non-Profits/Community Organizations
Art League of Henderson County
Friends of Downtown Hendersonville
Henderson County Chamber of Commerce
Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development
Hendersonville Housing Authority
Housing Assistance Corporation
Supporting Plans and Studies
- French Broad River MPO’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan (2016)
- Hendersonville “Gen H” Comprehensive Plan (2024)
- Above the Mud Greenway Feasibility Study (2024)
- Parks & Greenspace Master Plan (2024)
- Hendersonville Sustainability Strategic Plan (2024)
- Hendersonville “Walk Hendo” Pedestrian Plan (2023)
- Oklawaha Greenway Feasibility Study (2022)
- Hendersonville Bicycle Plan (2017)
- French Broad Hellbender Regional Trail System Plan (2020)
- Great Trails State System Plan (2022)
- Ecusta Rail Trail Planning Study and Economic Impact Analysis (2012)
The 2026 Build Grant Application is submitted by the City of Hendersonville in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Henderson County, Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, Ecusta Trail, and the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization.
