A scam by any other name…

[Editor’s note: Cecil Bothwell submitted the following commentary unsolicited, not knowing that we were planning a special feature on the basilica in this issue. This piece represents Bothwell’s opinion; it is not an Xpress editorial.] The Catholic Diocese of Charlotte recently low-balled the city of Asheville with an offer to buy property across the street […]

Dispatches from DC: Cecil Bothwell at the Take Back the American Dream Conference *UPDATED*

Asheville City Council member and congressional candidate Cecil Bothwell is in Washington, D.C., for the Take Back the Dream Conference. Bothwell won a scholarship to attend by Democracy for America, a progressive organization founded by former Vermont Governor, Howard Dean. This post contains Bothwell’s live dispatches from the event as it unfolds.

Parking in a money pit

Do you believe Asheville needs more downtown parking? Chances are, you answered "Yes." That’s the widespread perception. But suppose we asked why you believe Asheville needs more downtown parking? You probably want more parking near some place you want to visit: a favorite store, restaurant or theater; a downtown bank or government office. Maybe you […]

Spread the light

All five incumbent Buncombe County commissioners voted to approve the sale of a piece of Asheville’s central park to developer Stewart Coleman. Subsequent explanations run from not knowing what they were selling (i.e. blame the county staff) to “We screwed up” (David Gantt). One commissioner has no excuse: Bill Stanley is a former owner of […]

Ashevillea­ns love a parade — but enough to fund it?

Asheville’s annual holiday parade has marched, motored, biked, skated, danced, twirled, drummed and sung its way through the city for 60 years, leaving candy and, more recently, compact-fluorescent light bulbs in its wake. Until this year, the event has been sponsored by the Asheville Merchants Association, but now that group wants to hand the happiness to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Doors of dreams

Mountain Housing Opportunities will hold its 2007 Doors of Asheville fundraiser at the Orange Peel on Thursday, Nov. 29. This annual event will feature an auction of more than 30 works of art with doors and housing as the central theme. Four doors: The MHO auction includes Ian Brownlee’s “Special Delivery,” Jessica Redford’s “Moving down […]

Oh say can you see?

A subcommittee of the Pack Square Conservancy held an Oct. 22 work session to evaluate developer Stewart Coleman‘s proposed Parkside project. The 11-story, mixed-use building would be built adjacent to the Asheville City Hall on a parcel that’s the subject of an ongoing legal fight. The Conservancy board, which is charged with reviewing all development […]

The hub of wellness?

Buncombe County’s HUB Alliance served up its latest initiative, the “Rejuvenation Cluster,” at its Oct. 16 meeting, which took place in Asheville’s Public Works Building. Big med on campus: UNCA will break ground for its new Health and Wellness Center next spring. Image Courtesy Unca The HUB project describes itself as “a nonprofit, independent catalyst […]

Unsmashed pumpkins in the park

Local Halloween artists are gearing up for a jack-o’-lantern carve-off to benefit Pritchard Park. More than 50 downtown-business owners are expected to deliver orange entries for Pumpkins in the Park, a fundraiser sponsored by Glazer Architecture, Loretta’s, Mayfel’s and Quality Forward. Here’s how it works: The competing businesses will carve their creations in advance, then […]

Garden Journal

Fall color combos: Larry Newlin will discuss attractive plant combinations for fall at the Reems Creek Nursery on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 10 a.m. He’ll also describe flowering shrubs, perennials and grasses, and explain how blending plants of varying textures and forms can promote a sense of harmony and dynamism in the garden. Newlin, territory […]

Pack Square board gets presentati­on on controvers­ial project

Developer Stewart Coleman, together with five of his business associates, presented plans for his proposed ParkSide building to the Pack Square Conservancy Board at its regular meeting on Oct. 3. Charlotte architect Mark Fishero, lead designer of the high-rise, narrated a PowerPoint presentation of the design. The Conservancy must approve all new construction or renovation […]

Garden Journal

Garden treasure: Fairview’s Imladris Farm wants you to traipse all over the countryside and support local farms along the way, so they’ve organized a treasure hunt. Clues will lead participants across Buncombe County. Successfully solved puzzles will lead to locations and identify items to be purchased. The first three participants to reach Imladris Farm with […]