Year two begins, post Helene, and where are we? When I am asked how long it will take Chimney Rock to recover and return to “normal” I always answer, years. This is a multi year rebuild and we are starting the “multi” part with year two.
There is still a lot of planning going on. NCDOT, Chimney Rock Village Council, the TASK Force, State Parks, TDA, Destination by Design, Recreation Engineering and Planning, McGill Associates, are all involved in planning for some portion of the rebuilding project in the Village.
The permanent main entrance to the State Park and the highway to Bat Cave, Chimney Rock’s Main Street, are projects that could finish in 3 years. Highway 64 to Hendersonville, highway 74 to Asheville, and highway 9 to Black Mountain are in the 1-3 year time frame. The highway 64 bridge in Bat Cave will be rebuilt and should be about a 2 year project. These are estimates I have heard in various meetings and discussions and should be considered guidelines.
Providing areas to relocate the lost businesses in Chimney Rock to Village owned property has been funded by NC Commerce grants and that project is moving into the planning and engineering stages. Construction could begin early 2026 possibly. Completion date is unknown but we have to spend this funding within 3 years so that should be the longest it will take.
The restoration of the river, the riverwalk to Bat Cave, access points for tubing and kayaking and other water projects are in the planning stages with the help of TDA, Destination by Design, and Recreation Engineering. This engineering will tie in to DOT’s plans for the highway rebuild to Bat Cave. Construction could begin in the next 2-3 years and will possible dovetail with some of DOT’s work.
Other projects are being discussed that could be more regional in scope and the time frame would stretch out to the 5-10 year range.
So multi year construction, rebuilding, and restoring is in our future. Lyons, CO suffered a similar flooding event 14 years ago and they have told me they are still finishing up FEMA projects. This was a massive, land altering, monumental event. The repairs and rebuilding are going to take some time.
We need to be prepared because this will define our next decade. It will take fortitude but I think it will be well worth the journey. As Hemingway says “Night is always darker before dawn and life is the same, the hard times will pass, everything will get better and sun will shine brighter than ever.”
I also like this saying from Kevin Kelly, Wired Magazine, “When crisis and disaster strike, don’t waste them. No problems, no progress”. I don’t see Chimney Rock Village and it’s people wasting anything. We have been knocked down and counted out in some cases but I see a massive comeback that will be the stuff of legends.
The old Chimney Rock is gone but the new Chimney Rock is rising better than ever. Yes it’s tough, yes it’s going to be different but it is also going to have the same spirit, character, and charm that make this place special. What a journey we are on. Join us and see the wonderful places we will go, (borrowed from Dr. Seuss!)
Continue to follow us on Facebook – Chimney Rock Village NC – and on our website. You can see updates and progress reports and plan for your visit now and in the future to see us rebuild and check on the progress. You can also see the TASK Force’s Master plan at “raisetherock.com”. This is a 120-page document that gives a lot of information on the planning process, background, and designs and plans for the future.
Please keep me posted as to any changes, news, or information you would like me to include in future Village reports. You can email me at bubbaolearys@bellsouth.net or call 828-545-1243. You may also contact any of your Council Members; Peter O’Leary, April Schick, Buck Meliski, Bruce Godzik, and Patrick Warncke with any concerns or questions.
Remember the Chimney Rock Village Council always meets the third Tuesday of every month at 5:30 pm in the Chimney Rock Volunteer Fire Department building (unless a special meeting is called or the Council votes to change a particular date). These meetings are open to the public. Please contact Peter O’Leary 828-545-1243 or Village Clerk, Steve Duncan 828-777-5718 if you have any questions or concerns.
