It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Thomas Wolfe Memorial gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Enka, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here,”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the”
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer my caregivers to and know that they will receive the service they need to assist with the care of their loved ones with dementia,”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial call inquiring about services, to meeting the owner Jim Smeaton to discuss our unique family needs, to the caring compassionate and understanding caregivers we are thoroughly impressed. Its such a relief knowing our loved ones are receiving the care they deserve.”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones that they care for.”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They are reliable, and the caregivers are sweet and attentive.”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are always able to be reached and are willing to work with you.”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in knowing my husband is safe with excellent care. The office listens, really hears and is helpful to support and meet needs. Our caregiver, Chip, has become family. He was very personable, attentive to needs, brings extra in music, stories, making sure to pay attention to the patient and give accordingly. He is always kind and gracious. We are blessed to have them.”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and helpful anytime I call or come in, and my clients are wonderful! It’s more like helping a friend all day instead of working like clockwork!”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy just being in there in their organization .. my google is under Stephanie young but my last name is now Duarte . Young was my married name , I’m divorced now”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice and welcoming. I’m excited to join the team and see the great things they have in store.”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack thereof. It is regarding his cooperation regarding the service. He tends to not wake the caregiver for assistance during the night time. I would give specific names of individuals in this organization that I would request over others.”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the care of ABC Senior Services. I have had the privilege of enjoying the care of Lois C. She is the best advertisement for your agency. When I am asked, which happens frequently, about my experience with ABC, I refer to Lois as being your prime example of the type of care they can expect from you. She goes beyond just basic care and does all she can to help remedy any problem we have. I love that I can trust her and feel safe having her share my home with me. She is very professional yet very "down home", a rare combination. You should be very thankful she is on your "team"! Because of her, I have no problem recommending your company to all who ask.”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I have had a couple of very good people, one of which I have now. When I was getting going with them, I had a couple of people I would never like to have again, but that has all been ironed out.”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great. But they could be more proactive. They need to be better at communicating.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never worked for a company that was so dedicated to clients and caregivers. Everyone is always happy, clients and staff. I am blessed to work here.”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my health, so it's been a blessing to have them taking care of him for me. I appreciate that the caregivers are friendly.”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do. They've helped the most just by being here.”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here, and doing what they're supposed to. They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do.”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the Always Best Care team. I have watched the staff there change lives for the better, not only for clients but each other as well. It is a pleasure to be a part of this team, nothing compares to it!!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Carrier Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Vue 1913 or visit Enka Clock Tower, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Enka, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Enka, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Enka, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal:Question: I frequently Drive on Smokey Park Highway. There is an open pit gravel mine called Vulcan. There always seems to be trucks and train car loads of gravel being removed from that facility. How long has it been there? What is the expected life of the mine? What is the volume of material that has been removed from that facility?My answer: I don't know, but I hear it's a gneiss place to work....
Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal:
Question: I frequently Drive on Smokey Park Highway. There is an open pit gravel mine called Vulcan. There always seems to be trucks and train car loads of gravel being removed from that facility. How long has it been there? What is the expected life of the mine? What is the volume of material that has been removed from that facility?
My answer: I don't know, but I hear it's a gneiss place to work.
Real answer: This is one of those places you drive past a thousand times and don't really think about, so I admit I found these answers pretty fascinating.
Denise Hallett, a spokeswoman for Vulcan Materials Co., sent me a fact sheet about the Enka quarry, as well as some other points of interest.
The operations at Enka began in the 1960s and the tract includes 288 acres, with a 50-foot buffer around the perimeter. It employs 21 people.
SEE ALSO: 'A war for talent:' Red hot employment market has companies scrambling for workers
The type of stone mined is indeed gneiss, a type of granite, which explains my unfortunate joke above.
"The quarry supplies a wide variety of crushed stone products for use in making concrete and asphalt, as well as for direct use in roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure projects, not to mention commercial and residential construction," the fact sheet notes.
You've certainly seen this type of gneiss all over, whether in larger rip rap or either in or on roads. It typically has a gray, banded appearance.
Fun fact from the fact sheet: "Enka Quarry is one of the few Mideast quarries that ships products to our customers via railroad and supplies ballast to the railroads to maintain their tracks." So there's another place you've seen this rock — railroad beds.
The quarry is also open for sales to the public.
Hallett said the quarry's lifespan will depend on demand for construction materials. The Enka site has been producing about 400,000 tons of material a year, on average.
SEE ALSO: Asheville's economy is increasingly tied to manufacturing. But is it sustainable?
"The life of a quarry depends on community demand and the amount of land available at the site," Hallett said. "Our Enka Quarry has been operating since the 1960's, and we hope to continue our partnership in the community for 50-100 years, serving many generations to come!"
She also offered more detail about all the uses of the rock.
"The products consist of erosion control rocks (called "Rip Rap"), railroad ballast, asphalt and concrete stone, foundation material (commonly called "crusher run" or ABC- Aggregate Base Course) for roads, homes, schools, retail, etc...; utility foundation material, walking trails, driveways, and more!" Hallett said.
Here's something I did not know: Asphalt is about 95 percent crushed stone, concrete about 80 percent.
SEE ALSO: Opposition to potential asphalt plant organizing in Madison County
One more fun fact: Enka Quarry is certified as a wildlife site by the Wildlife Habitat Council.
Hey, I know some locals don't like quarries at all, and yes, they do leave a scar on the land. But they also provide a product we all need.
While the reader didn't ask what will happen with the site when it does run out of material one day, Hallett answered that question anyway.
"Before we can ever receive a permit to operate a quarry, we must submit a 'Reclamation Plan' hat shows what the property will be once the life of the mine has been reached," Hallett said. "There are many uses for a quarry site after the mining is complete, ranging from a fresh water reservoir to community parks."
As an example, she cited Winston-Salem, where Vulcan's Piedmont Quarry site was donated to the city in 1998 and is now Quarry Park, "which has a unique cantilever walkway that juts out over the old pit that has now filled with water.
"The panoramic view of the area is spectacular and there are a number of greenway trails linking the park to the city's greenway system," Hallett said.
For more information on that park, visit www.cityofws.org/quarrypark
"The point here is that a quarry is an asset to the local community while it is in operation and it will continue to be an asset when the operation is complete," she said.
Learn more about Vulcan here: www.vulcanmaterials.com/
And, ahem, rock on!
This is the opinion of John Boyle. Contact him at 828-232-5847 or [email protected]
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Before I get to today's batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal, I want to, once again, bid farewell to some fine Citizen Times journalists.Our parent company, Gannett, made significant cuts across the country on Wednesday, and here in Asheville we lost several long-time, incredibly talented staffers.Bruce Steele, our print planner, an editor and a really fine writer to boot, spent 12 years here. Besides being a key player here, he's also a masterful baker who brought way too many cakes in here....
Before I get to today's batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal, I want to, once again, bid farewell to some fine Citizen Times journalists.
Our parent company, Gannett, made significant cuts across the country on Wednesday, and here in Asheville we lost several long-time, incredibly talented staffers.
Bruce Steele, our print planner, an editor and a really fine writer to boot, spent 12 years here. Besides being a key player here, he's also a masterful baker who brought way too many cakes in here.
RELATED: Citizen Times loses 5 journalists to layoffs
Our writing coach and longtime metro editor, (back when we called them such), spent nearly two decades greatly improving stories, cracking wise and putting up with me. For that last one, he deserves our eternal respect. He preferred not to be named.
Politics reporter Mark Barrett, a mountain native, spent 32 years at the Citizen Times, at various points serving as our Raleigh correspondent, investigative reporter and growth and development writer. We also referred to him as "The Oracle," as he had an incredibly deep knowledge of this region and its history. Mark was always scrupulously fair and irritated both the left and right with his political coverage, so you know he was doing it right.
Photographer Matt Burkhartt joined the paper a year ago and made his mark with a keen eye for detail in both photos and videos. Plus, he's just a really nice guy to work with.
Personally, I'm going to miss each of these guys, and I know the larger community will miss their excellent work. They were unsung heroes in a tough business, and they all loved the job.
Farewell, my friends.
Question: Well, here we go again with the rant concerning the traffic backups on Smokey Park Highway West from exit 44 to Highway 151. It's not getting any better, and I'm sure I'm not the only one asking the question. When will the Liberty Road Project begin on I-40? My understanding was that this is one item on the North Carolina Department of Transportation's radar to begin ASAP to relieve the traffic congestion. Are there any updates?
My answer: Wait a second, we've got traffic problems around here? Man, I had not heard about this problem.
Real answer: As this plan has been in the works for quite a while, I'm not surprised readers want an update.
If you haven't heard, the DOT plans a new interchange to connect I-40 with Liberty Road near the I-40 weigh station.
The project is still a go.
SEE ALSO: Answer Man: Hope for Exit 44 area on I-40? Republicans first?
"North Carolina DOT is proceeding toward building a new interchange on Interstate 40 at Liberty Road in Candler in order to relieve congestion, provide the community easier access to I-40 and improve emergency response in the area," said Steven Cannon, project development engineer with the DOT's Division 13, which includes Asheville.
Cannon noted the $54.5 million project also includes realigning the intersection of Liberty Road at Smokey Park Highway and Pisgah Highway.
"The final utility designs are nearly complete, the roadway designs are more than 75 percent complete, and right of way acquisition is slated to start in 6-8 weeks," Cannon said. "Construction is slated for September of 2021."
SEE ALSO: Paving, bridge work planned on I-40 in Candler and Asheville
The Exit 44 area on I-40 and the nearby 26/240 interchange with I-40 has been a perennial traffic nightmare for the region, with many locals referring to it as "malfunction junction."
The area got an improvement over a decade ago when the DOT contracted out for a $42.9 million job to add two lanes to I-40 between between I-26 and Exit 44 in 2005. That project was finished in 2009 and has alleviated congestion somewhat, but traffic continues to increase, and a long-running bridge project at Pond Road on I-26, followed by a new interchange at Brevard Road, has added to the problem.
This is the opinion of John Boyle. Contact him at 828-232-5847 or [email protected]
ENKA - An Asheville hotel company plans to build a 148-room hotel, 180 multifamily condominiums and retail space on a 27-acre site in Enka.The FIRC Group Inc. has filed an application for the project with the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment, which will conduct a hearing on the proposal at its 9 a.m. meeting Nov. 18. The Board of Adjustment has final say on such projects in Buncombe County.More: ...
ENKA - An Asheville hotel company plans to build a 148-room hotel, 180 multifamily condominiums and retail space on a 27-acre site in Enka.
The FIRC Group Inc. has filed an application for the project with the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment, which will conduct a hearing on the proposal at its 9 a.m. meeting Nov. 18. The Board of Adjustment has final say on such projects in Buncombe County.
FIRC is the company that built the Cambria Hotel in downtown Asheville and the Country Inn & Suites near Westgate Shopping Center. The company, headed by founder and President Tony Fraga, also owns and operates the Haywood Park Hotel downtown.
The Enka project, called "Enka Main Street," will also include 10,300 square feet of retail space and a new restaurant, Cafe? Verona. Plans call for the project to be built in phases, with a completion date in 2022, according to application documents.
The project will be located off Sand Hill Road, near Smokey Park Highway, behind the Ingles supermarket. The site, which has an address of 1568 Sand Hill Road, includes two parcels, both owned by FIRC.
The property is zoned "Commercial Services," and the hotel, condos and retail are all allowable under that designation.
While some neighbors have complained about increased traffic in the area, particularly on Sand Hill Road, the traffic impact analysis conducted for the project states it "should not have a significant adverse impact on the surrounding roadway network." The project will be accessible off Sand Hill Road by the current Ingles entrance, but application documents state the three buildings will have two access points from an existing side road.
In its application, FIRC noted the traffic study indicated "that no improvements are required in order for the connection to be approved (by the N.C. DOT). The project includes an extensive internal sidewalk system, facilitating pedestrian circulation
within the project site."
The Asheville office of the North Carolina Department of Transportation said Nov. 17 plans do call for widening of N.C. 112 (Sand Hill Road/Sardis Road) from N.C. 191 (Brevard Road) to U.S. 19/23 (Smokey Park Highway).
"We have not vetted any concepts or plans yet," DOT spokesman David Uchiyama said. "Once the project resumes, we’ll be looking at concepts, going to the public for input, looking at multimodal options, etc."
Several DOT road projects statewide have been delayed because of financial constraints.
For the Sardis/Sand Hill widening, Uchiyama said right of way acquisition will begin in 2025, letting of contracts in 2028.
The FIRC application states 534 parking spaces are proposed "within structured parking facilities" for the hotel and condos, with another 140 spaces in surface lots between buildings.
The two lots have an allowable density under county rules of 12 units per acre, and FIRC plans to meet that by partly combining the two lots it owns.
In the application plans, the hotel is listed as a Springhill Suites by Marriott.
The hotel will be 56 feet high, the condo building 60 feet and the retail building 28 feet.
The application states the project will not have any adverse effects on health or safety, or on nearby property values.
Buncombe County Planning Department staff took little issue with the proposal, although staff did make recommendations for a riparian buffer along watercourse to the south of the site, and for a landscaping requirement along the east and south portions of the development. That will provide screening for the back of the hotel, which faces a public road, and for the rear of the condo building.
Staff also noted that the maximum allowed building height in the CS district is 50 feet, and the application requests building heights that exceed that. That issue will have to be addressed by the board.
"The Board should include a maximum building height in the conditions of approval," staff wrote.
The Nov. 18 meeting will be held on a virtual platform, but it is open to the public. For information on how to attend online, visit the Board of Adjustment website: https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/planning/adjustment-board.aspx.
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