After the Storm: Hayden Plemmons on ULI Charlotte’s Podcast Spotlighting Recovery in Downtown Asheville

In the debut episode of Building Connections: The ULI Charlotte Podcast, the focus turns to the lasting impact of Hurricane Helene on communities west of Charlotte and throughout Western North Carolina. This once-in-a-thousand-year storm left a devastating mark on infrastructure, housing, and local economies — and called for an immediate, coordinated response from local leaders, government agencies, and community organizations.

Among the featured guests is our very own Hayden Plemmons, Executive Director of the Asheville Downtown Association, who joins Debra Campbell, City Manager of Asheville; Jeremy Knighton, Assistant Fire Chief of the Asheville Fire Department; and Clay Chandler, Public Information Officer for the City of Asheville Water Resources Department. Together, they share firsthand accounts from the front lines of disaster recovery.

The conversation explores the challenges of responding to a disaster of this magnitude, the creative and community-driven solutions that emerged, and the long-term planning now underway to build a more resilient and inclusive future for Downtown Asheville.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1DReWLq6K8vgMko7DKPZIX

Hayden shares how the Downtown Association quickly pivoted in the wake of the storm—launching the River to River relief effort, hosting weekly business recovery sessions, and producing inclusive events to reactivate Downtown spaces. The episode is a powerful listen for anyone invested in the future of Downtowns, disaster preparedness, and the strength of community partnerships.

We’re proud of Hayden’s leadership and grateful to ULI Charlotte for highlighting the critical work being done across Asheville and beyond.