City of Asheville TAP Launch Community Helene Recovery Program

Asheville --  Press Release City of Asheville: The City of Asheville is excited to announce the launch of the Temporary Activation Program, or TAP. This program will streamline the authorization of quick-action, community-led recovery initiatives on public properties impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. 

TAP will also open up new partnership opportunities that support short—and medium-term recovery needs related to economic development and natural resource management.

“The City is dedicated to the recovery and revitalization of our natural and cultural resources and public spaces impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. And, we recognize the vital role of community participation in creative, short-term actions," shared Dana Frankel, a project manager with TAP.  “We are focusing TAP efforts in the areas that experienced the greatest impacts - to help bring visitors and customers back. And while TAP is being launched as a tool for improved coordination, it is intended to evolve over time as needs change and additional resources become available.”

Example initiatives coordinated through TAP include community clean-up activities, commercial district activation, temporary wayfinding and signage, public art and beautification initiatives, invasive species management, and temporary erosion control. The TAP process will ensure that proposed initiatives align and coordinate with broader clean-up and rebuilding efforts (including ongoing FEMA damage assessments and contracted debris removal), and adhere to safety guidelines. 

The program recognizes that we can do more and better together – coordination across projects and sectors yields a bigger impact. Organizations interested in undertaking temporary initiatives on City-owned or managed properties can submit requests through an online form. The City is committed to responding to TAP submissions in a timely manner, generally within two weeks of receiving the application or before the proposed initiative begins (if sooner) when possible. 

For more information about TAP, visit asheville/tap

Image: WNCTimes