Buncombe County to Acquire Deaver View Mountain; $7.5M in Bonds Set Aside for Development
March 11, 2026 | Buncombe County, North Carolina
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Buncombe County Parks and Recreation staff announced they expect to complete the county's acquisition of Deaver View Mountain this month and that the Board of Commissioners has approved $7,500,000 in bond funds to support its development.
“By April 13, it will be acquired, and we'll be celebrating that,” the county parks director said, describing the purchase as a major expansion of county-owned parkland. Staff said the property is roughly 342 acres and will increase the department's holdings by about 68%.
The department has an RFQ ready to solicit qualifications for master planning and expects a phased, multiyear build-out rather than a single grand opening. The director said staff plan smaller staged openings while longer-term work — including parking, trail clearing and infrastructure to support visitors — proceeds.
Staff also noted a contractual obligation to open the property to the public within three years, setting a deadline of March 2029 for public access. “From day one, we are ready to go to start the development,” the director said, adding that the county will issue an RFQ to hire firms to perform trail assessments (including GIS mapping) and design work.
Board members raised wildfire-mitigation concerns after staff described many downed trees and areas where trails currently require detours. One member urged that mitigation be built into the trail assessment and planning process; staff agreed and said they would include hazard and fuel-management planning in procurement specifications.
The department said it will recruit two staff positions specifically to manage Deaver View and to coordinate volunteers and community collaborations. Officials also said they will host an invitation-only press conference April 13 and plan later public tours and events.
Next steps include releasing the RFQ for master planning and trail assessment, beginning procurement for contractors, and staging development milestones so parts of the property can open while other work continues.
“By April 13, it will be acquired, and we'll be celebrating that,” the county parks director said, describing the purchase as a major expansion of county-owned parkland. Staff said the property is roughly 342 acres and will increase the department's holdings by about 68%.
The department has an RFQ ready to solicit qualifications for master planning and expects a phased, multiyear build-out rather than a single grand opening. The director said staff plan smaller staged openings while longer-term work — including parking, trail clearing and infrastructure to support visitors — proceeds.
Staff also noted a contractual obligation to open the property to the public within three years, setting a deadline of March 2029 for public access. “From day one, we are ready to go to start the development,” the director said, adding that the county will issue an RFQ to hire firms to perform trail assessments (including GIS mapping) and design work.
Board members raised wildfire-mitigation concerns after staff described many downed trees and areas where trails currently require detours. One member urged that mitigation be built into the trail assessment and planning process; staff agreed and said they would include hazard and fuel-management planning in procurement specifications.
The department said it will recruit two staff positions specifically to manage Deaver View and to coordinate volunteers and community collaborations. Officials also said they will host an invitation-only press conference April 13 and plan later public tours and events.
Next steps include releasing the RFQ for master planning and trail assessment, beginning procurement for contractors, and staging development milestones so parts of the property can open while other work continues.
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