Pack Square Park Conservancy considers future plans, releases statement

Earlier this week, blogger “Ashvegas” (aka Asheville Citizen-Times staffer Jason Sandford) reported via Twitter, “The Pack Square Conservancy has decided to disband, cease operation.” Later, Ashvegas updated the report, noting on his blog, “The nonprofit created to oversee the redevelopment of Asheville’s crown jewel of a downtown park is considering its options now that the park construction is complete. One of those options is dissolution. [But Conservancy Board Chair Guy Clerici says that] no decisions were made about the future of the conservancy” during a recent board meeting.

Here’s the May 22 press release from the Pack Square Park Conservancy:

With the completion of the new Pack Square Park Pavilion, the Pack Square Park Conservancy is winding down its task of overseeing construction of a six-acre park in the heart of downtown Asheville. The Pavilion includes public restrooms and a visitor center that will be staffed by volunteers from the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as a full-time representative of the City of Asheville Parks and Recreation Department. The Pavilion may open later this week, depending upon city schedules.

Pack Square Park Conservancy leaders have been in discussion with City of Asheville and Buncombe County officials to plan for the transition of the Park from construction to operation as a high quality, signature-type facility for the future. Discussions have included options for realizing the goal of a Pack Square Park that has proper landscape management, quality event programming and plans and funding for a bright future. Since its inception, the Conservancy has encouraged development of park usage policies and permitting practices that protect the park and maximize its potential. Currently, the City is exploring budgetary needs for park improvements as well as possible partnerships with The North Carolina Arboretum and a new “friends of the park” support entity.

Yesterday [May 21], the Conservancy Board met to discuss some of the next steps, including:

• Authorizing transfer of the newly constructed $500,000 Pack Square Park Pavilion to the City of Asheville;

• Options for the Conservancy organization, with a particular emphasis on honoring more than 800 donors who gave more than $15 million to support construction of Pack Square Park;

• How to best ensure high quality programming and landscape preservation for the urban park over the long-term.

The Conservancy raised more than $15 million and oversaw an internationally award-winning design for the six-acre park in the heart of Asheville’s revitalized downtown, fronting on City Hall and the Buncombe County Courthouse. The large majority of the funding came from more than 800 private donors.

The completion of Pack Square Park allows Asheville to join other cities around the nation and the world in boasting beautiful urban parks that attract tourists, build community and incentivise economic development.

“What happened at our Conservancy Board meeting yesterday is nothing new. No action was taken to change our status,” said Guy Clerici, chair of the Conservancy Board. “We are continuing a long discussion about next steps and will be making decisions in coming weeks and months that we believe are in the best interest of Pack Square Park.”

“For now, we are celebrating the completion of the Pavilion and the accomplishment of the dream of providing Pack Square Park for current and future generations,” said Clerici. “We are grateful to the many donors who dreamed with us and made this lasting legacy possible.”