Project Links
The Blue Ridge Parkway has long recognized the need to have a facility that would inform visitors about the rich natural and cultural history of the Blue Ridge Parkway and that would orient them to the many complementing things to see and do along the scenic motor road in western North Carolina. The proposed destination center would be located to serve Buncombe County's 200,000 residents and the 920,000 residents of Western North Carolina as well as the 7,000,000 visitors who enter the Parkway in the Asheville area each year. The facility would be designed and developed by the National Park Service to serve as a Parkway and regional information and interpretive center. The need for such a center was identified in the Parkway's Master Plan developed in the 1970's and more recently in documents related to planning for the Parkway headquarters facility at Hemphill Knob, just north of the Parkway intersection of US 74A and I-40.
* indicates the current step in the planning process
Step 1. Define purpose and need/develop preliminary alternatives
Step 2. Conduct external scoping
Step 3. Refine alternatives
Step 4. Identify environmental impacts and select preferred alternative
Step 5. Prepare draft plan/environmental document
Step 6. Public review of draft plan/environmental document
Step 7. Analysis of public comment
Step 8. Prepare final plan/decision document
Step 9. Release final plan/decision document to the public *
A Finding of No Significant Impact was approved by the NPS Southeast Regional Director on September 19, 2005 for this project. This document is available to download under the Documents and Links Section.
* indicates the current step in the planning process
Step 1. Define purpose and need/develop preliminary alternatives
Step 2. Conduct external scoping
Step 3. Refine alternatives
Step 4. Identify environmental impacts and select preferred alternative
Step 5. Prepare draft plan/environmental document
Step 6. Public review of draft plan/environmental document
Step 7. Analysis of public comment
Step 8. Prepare final plan/decision document
Step 9. Release final plan/decision document to the public *
A Finding of No Significant Impact was approved by the NPS Southeast Regional Director on September 19, 2005 for this project. This document is available to download under the Documents and Links Section.