Disaster recovery is more than clearing debris or replacing what was lost. For communities like Chimney Rock Village, it’s about reclaiming identity, rebuilding in smarter ways, and working through the emotional and economic weight of disruption. We specialize in guiding small towns through this complex process- bringing together planning, design, and economic strategy to help local leaders move forward with clarity and confidence.
At Destination by Design, we partner with civic leaders across the U.S. to plan, build, and promote vibrant places. Our services include community branding, trail and park planning, downtown revitlization, and wayfinding signage design- all aimed at boosting quality of life and economic vitality. Looking to move your community forward? View services and contact us today.
Recovery That Goes Beyond the Basics
In the immediate aftermath of a flood, fire, or storm, most communities focus (rightfully) on emergency response and infrastructure repair. But what about the weeks and months that follow—when local business owners are unsure how to reopen, when longtime residents feel disconnected, and when future investments feel risky or unclear?
That’s where our team comes in to support long-term recovery by addressing more than just physical damage. We help civic leaders reconnect with their community’s character, identify strategic investments, and rebuild in ways that promote economic resilience.
What We’ve Learned from Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock Village, NC, has become a meaningful case study in our approach. Through the Chimney Rock Recovery Action Plan, we’ve helped the town plan for a future that honors its past—without being stuck in it.
Here’s what the process looked like:
This layered approach, part environmental recovery, part economic development, part placemaking, is designed to bring lasting value to the Village and its residents.
This wasn’t just about rebuilding—it was about rethinking what the village could be and setting the foundation for a stronger, more connected community.
- Community Engagement: We partnered with residents, local business owners, and the Village Council to understand not just what was lost, but what matters most.
- Emotional Support: Recovery involves grief. We facilitated spaces where emotions could be heard and channeled into constructive action.
- Strategic Land Use: We worked with local and state partners to identify public and private properties suited for infill, relocation, and resilience-based improvements.
- Recreation-Based Vision: The new concept plan centers around a revitalized riverwalk and parks, combining ecological restoration with visitor attraction.
- Infrastructure Planning: A redesigned streetscape supports safer, more accessible movement while boosting the Village’s visual identity.
Built on Collaboration, Designed with Intention
When it comes to long-term community recovery, success hinges on collaboration. This project is the result of dozens of meetings, field visits, and design iterations.
Each group we’ve worked with brings a unique perspective, but more importantly, a shared desire to see Chimney Rock Village thrive again. We’ve been fortunate to work closely with:
- The Chimney Rock Village Council
- The Chimney Rock Task Force
- The Governors Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC)
- North Carolina Department of Transportation
- Chimney Rock State Park
- Chimney Rock Management, LLC
- Local residents and business owners
- North Carolina Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division
Behind the design, we’ve been inspired and guided by the legacy of Gary Lacy of Recreation Engineering and Planning, whose pioneering greenway work in Boulder Colorado, helped shape modern river-based recreation design. To collaborate with Gary on this project has been a full-circle moment, professional inspiration turned partnership.
Turning Setbacks Into Long-Term Growth
We know that recovery can be overwhelming. Community leaders are often pulled in many directions – managing FEMA requirements, navigating property damage, trying to reopen downtown businesses, and comforting a frustrated public.
Destination by Design helps streamline the process by serving as a trusted guide. We bring in experts in:
- Land use planning
- Wayfinding and signage
- Park and trail system design
- Tourism and destination marketing
- Community branding and identity
Together, these disciplines allow us to build a comprehensive plan – not just a stopgap solution. Chimney Rock’s proposed disaster recovery work includes relocating displaced businesses, restoring the riverfront, and creating new public spaces that will serve residents and visitors alike.
Building Back With Purpose
Recovery isn’t about replicating the past. It’s about building something more sustainable, more resilient, and more reflective of the community’s current values. In Chimney Rock, this meant integrating recreation with restoration, supporting infill development while protecting character, and ensuring the river – the town’s most iconic feature – is also one of its most powerful assets for economic revitalization.
The concept of “raising the rock” isn’t just about lifting up a single place. It’s about showing what’s possible when you pair design thinking with local vision and strategic support.
Why Disaster Recovery Needs Designers and Planners
Engineers and emergency managers handle the immediate crisis. But planners and designers shape what happens next.
The challenges are real, but so is the opportunity. We bring:
- Vision – to see what’s possible, not just what’s broken
- Structure – to organize complex partnerships and funding sources
- Creativity – to re-imagine spaces that attract investment and people
- Empathy – to help communities heal and define their future together
Is Your Town Ready to Rebuild with Intention?
If your community is working through a natural disaster, flood, or economic disruption, we’re here to help. You don’t have to go it alone—and you don’t have to settle for a band-aid fix.
We’ll help you recover in a way that reflects your community’s values, builds economic resilience, and restores both spaces and spirits
Learn more about the Chimney Rock project at www.raisetherock.com, and contact us at destinationbydesign.com/contact to get the conversation started.
Let’s rebuild something better – together.
