ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The city of Asheville will begin the final phase of storm debris removal at Riverside Cemetery on Monday, July 21, as part of ongoing restoration efforts at the historic site.

Work crews will be on site Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., during this phase of the project. To protect the integrity of gravesites and ensure public safety, the cemetery will limit public access to 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays beginning July 21. Weekend hours will remain unchanged, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

City officials said staff will coordinate with families to accommodate funerals or special circumstances during the restricted weekday hours.

The project is expected to be completed in early fall 2025, though the timeline could change if historical artifacts are discovered during cleanup. An archaeological monitoring firm will be on site throughout the project to ensure proper handling and preservation of any findings.

“This work marks a critical step in restoring one of Asheville’s historic and culturally significant spaces,” Jonathan Neary, Riverside Cemetery supervisor, said in a news release. “We appreciate the community’s continued patience and support as we take great care in preserving this landmark.”

Following debris removal, Asheville Parks & Recreation will assess the cost of further recovery work, including road, stormwater, fence, and retaining wall repairs. The assessment is scheduled to begin the first week of August.

Updates on the project will be posted to the Riverside Cemetery Recovery webpage, where community members can also sign up for notifications.