River Arts District rebuilding one year after Helene | Drone view
Drone footage captures Asheville’s River Arts District one year after Helene, showing ongoing storm damage alongside efforts to restore the arts hub.
- The Marquee gallery in Asheville’s River Arts District is reopening after severe flooding from Tropical Storm Helene.
- The gallery was submerged by an estimated 15 feet of floodwater, which destroyed artworks and furnishings.
- Marquee will reopen with about 350 artists, 75% of whom are returning vendors.
ASHEVILLE – The River Arts District has a long way to go before the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene is no longer visible. The ongoing cleanup and rebuilding process has made significant strides since the catastrophic storm last fall, which sent the French Broad River rushing through businesses, leaving a muddy mess and heartache in its wake.
Each milestone in restoring the beloved creative neighborhood has been a reason to celebrate, with the latest gallery opening serving as a beacon of hope for RAD’s future.
On Sept. 25, Marquee will reopen for the first time since Helene at 36 Foundy St.
“Take II” grand reopening celebration will be from 6-9 p.m., with music, live performance art installations, light refreshments and more. Admission is free, but reservations are encouraged at Eventbrite.
“We want to be a place of inspiration,” said Robert Nichols, the owner and an artist. “There’s so much creative juice flowing in this place, and as the artists, antique dealers, makers and small businesses move in, this place is going to be vibrant again.”
The Marquee returns, better than ever
Nichols said Marquee was expected to open at its full capacity, with about 350 artists exhibiting. More than 300 artists were reported to be in residence before Helene. He said that 75% of those confirmed were Marquee artists returning, and most had scaled up to larger display spaces.
Marquee’s reopening was scheduled for the same day the gallery closed after a precursor storm to Helene pummeled RAD with heavy rainfall, causing artists to scramble to remove and lift artworks to a higher level before having to evacuate.
However, an estimated 15 feet of floodwaters from the French Broad River, which crested at 24.67 feet, submerged the 50,000-square-foot Marquee, washing away artworks and furnishings. Only a shell of a building stood until the renovations, during which new and improved features were installed, including new display walls, jewelry cases, and a custom-built checkout counter.
Nichols said visitors can expect a fresh, new, clean store.
More than four years ago, new concrete flooring was laid and the structural columns were reinforced, which Nichols attributed to why the building was still standing after Helene. The latest resiliency efforts are intended to strengthen other areas to withstand about four and a half feet of floodwaters, which he said was the highest point of flooding at the site before Helene.
Nichols, who leases the building, estimated that restoring the gallery has cost about half a million dollars.
Nichols said he anticipates the Marquee crew will react sooner and prepare by sandbagging and making other necessary arrangements to protect the building and artworks in the event of reports warning of another extreme weather.
“I don’t think anyone is going to think it’s crying wolf. I think we will all overreact to situations in the future,” Nichols said. “We go day-to-day ― live for the day and not live in fear.”
Returning to Marquee
Beginning on Sept. 26, the Marquee’s hours will be 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
Nichols said The Lounge at Marquee, a bar, and more surprises are slated to be revealed later.
Many Foundy Street buildings remain in disrepair, and businesses are closed. However, Nichols said improvements have been made to the gravel parking lot, which has been expanded to include about 48 additional parking spaces near the skate park.
The area around the Marquee was redesigned to include more green space, creating a more walkable environment.
On Oct. 30, Marquee’s annual Halloween-themed party, Masquerade, will return with costume contests, live music, performance artists and more. This year’s theme is “Good and Evil.”
“We want to hit all the senses. We want this place to be a special place again,” Nichols said.
For more, visit marqueeasheville.com and follow @marqueeasheville on Instagram.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram. Sign up for AVL Bites and Brews, our weekly food and drink newsletter here.
