Above The Mud Project

The City of Hendersonville is in the process of developing a federal grant application (RAISE) for a multi-million dollar transportation improvement project nicknamed “Above the Mud” due to its proximity to Mud Creek.

The Above the Mud project will provide multimodal infrastructure that will spur small-town economic development, jobs, and tourism while rebuilding a trail segment damaged by recurring flooding and Hurricane Helene. The project will extend the 19-mile regional Ecusta Trail that is expected to generate significant rural economic impact, bringing residents and tourists safely into Downtown Hendersonville. It will also reconnect to underserved neighborhoods, improving safety and access.

This project focuses on creating a loop of multimodal transportation access, ultimately connecting three major developing regional trail systems. The infrastructure effort will make Hendersonville a hub and beacon of tourism and economic activity. The project will reconnect historic black neighborhoods, build new connections, improve existing greenway impacted by recent flooding, and rebuild an aging three-block stretch of South Main Street, near the Ecusta Trail, as a regional activity hub and Festival Street that directly connects Downtown Hendersonville with the regional trail network.

There are 4 components to the project:

1. Connect the Ecusta Trail terminus to the Oklawaha Greenway using a new trail along the Mud Creek floodplain into Jackson Park connecting to the Oklawaha Trail 

2. Improve/raise a portion of the Oklawaha Greenway that routinely floods

3. Improve last 3 blocks of S Main St to promote walkable/bikeable connection from Ecusta Trail to Main St by creating a vibrant and attractive streetscape that can serve a variety of purposes while still allowing for automobile traffic (i.e. “Festival Street”)

4. Improve the 7th Ave Streetscape to improve walkabilty/bikeability and beautification from Maple St to the Oklawaha Greenway

View the Project Summary

View Above the Mud Project Map

In 2023, the City of Hendersonville received a Feasibility Study Grant from NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division to investigate options to link the Ecusta Trail near downtown Hendersonville with the Oklawaha Greenway in Jackson Park and the 7th Avenue Historic District. Since receiving the grant, the City worked to identify a route that is comfortable for people who walk and bike, has community support, and can be funded and constructed. The Feasibility Study was adopted by City Council on September 5, 2024.

 Adopted Above the Mud Feasibility Study