Hendersonville picks Wingate University expansion proposal for historic mill

Hendersonville’s city council voted to proceed with a proposal to restore a century-old historic mill by using it to expand Wingate University’s campus.

From the Hendersonville Lightning:

The Hendersonville City Council on a 3-2 vote Thursday chose a developer for the old Grey Hosiery Mill who plans to renovate the 98-year-old structure for an expanded Wingate University campus.

Wingate University now uses a building at 220 N. King St. A developer says Wingate will outgrow that space with new programs.

Council members met for an hour and 12 minutes before emerging from a closed session to vote on the decision. Mayor Barbara Volk joined council members Jeff Collis and Jerry Smith in voting yes; councilmen Steve Caraker and Ron Stephenson voted no, saying they preferred residential development.

“We started this project (several years ago) off and on and we’ve discussed it since 2005,” Collis said. “I have never supported residential, low, high or medium income. I think it’s the wrong place. It’s right next to Courthouse overlooking the jail. I think any residential we put in there would end up becoming dilapidated or end up being vacant like we see so many other properties on that street.”

Read more here.

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