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RiverLink Announces Bus Tours for the Historic Riverside District.

RiverLink, a regional nonprofit organization that is spearheading the environmental and economic revitalization of the French Broad River and its tributaries, is sponsoring bus tours of the Historic Riverside District. The bus tours are scheduled for twice a month, January through May of 2001.

Warren Burns, Director of Development for RiverLink, says, "The bus tours will provide the passengers with a unique perspective on the historical significance of Asheville's urban rivers and the prominent role they have played in shaping the city's culture and tradition. The Bus tours are designed to help the community Rediscover the French Broad River."

The bus tours depart form City-County Plaza in downtown Asheville, and follow the urban courses of the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers. The bus tours last for two hours as passengers are guided past historical points of interest, and informed of current efforts to focus community attention and economic investment throughout the river district.

The bus tours stop at several locations to allow the passengers the opportunity to preview some of Asheville's historic sites. Scheduled tour stops include:

Chicken Hill
Designed in 1882 by C.E. Graham as a home for the employees and executives of his Asheville Cotton Mill, Chicken Hill is one of Asheville's oldest neighborhoods. Originally known as Pritchard Park and often referred to as the West End-Clingman Avenue area, Chicken Hill is currently the focus of revitalization efforts by neighborhood residents, non-profits and the City of Asheville. Within easy walking distance of downtown, Chicken Hill is a natural link to the River District. It is home to Hanger Hall, the private residence and school of Howard Hanger, leader of Jubilee Church. The neighborhood is rich in architectural diversity and has splendid views of the city and river.

Richmond Hill Inn

The RiverLink bus tour makes a stop at this magnificent, historical inn overlooking the French Broad River. The Inn was the former home of famous Asheville resident and U.S. Ambassador, Richmond Pearson. The original building has been completely renovated by Jake and Marge Michel and further additions have been constructed. The Inn is a stunning example of successful investment and commerce in the River District.

Riverside Park
The original Riverside Park was a social hub for Asheville society at the turn of the century. Constructed in 1905 by the Asheville Electric Company, the park featured a "drive-in" canoe movie theater, baseball field, and recreational facilities. Trolley cars from Montford and downtown Asheville provided easy access to the park during its heyday. Riverside Park was destroyed by the great flood of 1916 and never reconstructed. The bus tour stops at the original site.

French Broad River Park and Greenway System
The bus tour stops at the French Broad River Park at the confluence of the Swannanoa and French Broad Rivers. The park was constructed by RiverLink and is currently maintained by the City of Asheville. The park is part of a 4-mile long greenway system on the west bank of the French Broad River extending from the I-240 bridge to the former site of the Asheville Motor Speedway. Greenways provide an attractive recruitment tool in encouraging economic development in the river district. They also provide a buffer against harmful runoff from roads and development. The bus tour also includes a look at current construction efforts on the speedway site for a sports facilities and an outdoor classroom.

Swannanoa River
The final leg of the RiverLink bus tour follows the Swannanoa River upstream past the old railway roundhouse and Biltmore Village. The Swannanoa River has been the focus of various development efforts and is a critical piece of our common river heritage.

Passengers on the RiverLink bus tour are returned to City-County Plaza roughly two hours after the tour commences. Burns adds, "Starting and ending in the heart of downtown signifies the importance of riverfront development as an extension of successful revitalization efforts throughout the city.

The tours cost $10 per person and is free for River Link members. Tour passengers can purchase a box lunch for $10, or bring their own lunch. The tours leave at 12 p.m. in front of City Hall, at the City/County Plaza.

RiverLink has bus tours scheduled for the following dates:
Februray 22nd
March 22nd
April 19th
May 24th

For more information on the RiverLink bus tours call, 828-252-8474. The River Link web site address is, www.riverlink.org. Anyone wishing to make a donation to River Link can mail their contribution to, P. O. Box 15488, Asheville, NC 28813-0488.