Asheville City Council approves Funding for Thomas Wolfe Auditorium Roof & Azalea Park improvements
ASHEVILLE, NC – October 14, 2023 – Asheville City Council unanimously approved key infrastructure projects at its meeting today, moving forward with repairs too the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium roof and the second phase of design for Azalea Park improvements.
The Council authorized the City Manager to contract with AAR of North Carolina, Inc. for the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium Roof Replacement project. The project includes a budget amendment of $538,460 to add federal funds to the general Capital Projects Fund for both design and construction services, and allows for change orders up to the contingency amount.
“Harrah’s Cherokee Center staff is very excited to move this roof replacement project forward,” said Director of Community and Regional facilities Chris Corl. “Repairs to the roof will allow staff to address interior water damage which adversely impacts the guest experience. We look forward to welcoming the community to experience our lineup of future events without concerning themselves with the weather forecast.” Staff report and facts about the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium are available online.
Council members also adopted a resolution to contract with Olin Partnership Limited for design and engineering services to rebuild recreation facilities and transportation infrastructure along Azalea Road and the swannanoa River. This marks the second design phase for the azalea Parks and Infrastructure Recovery project, following the first phase approved on September 9.
Asheville Parks & Recreation Director D. Tyrell McGirt stated, “We have a unique prospect to look collectively at the entire area, from the pool at Recreation Park to the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex and the dog park at Azalea Park.We are focused on transforming these spaces into a cohesive park that offers seamless connectivity and a unified recreation experience for all residents.” Staff report and the project page provide further details.
