City Council to hear preliminary steps in evaluating shape of Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

The roof of Asheville City Hall.

Asheville City Council has a light schedule for its regular April 14 meeting. Council members will hear a resolution to approve preliminary steps in evaluating the condition of the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, as well as tackle some administrative tasks in Buncombe County’s purchase of a 137-acre plot on Ferry Road near Bent Creek from Henderson County.

Under the consent agenda, a resolution authorizes the city manager to enter into a contract with Threshold Acoustics, LLC, for acoustical and structural analysis of the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. The site inspection will include delivery of acoustical models of the auditorium and a list of suggested needed improvements, along with pricing for each item. Under the proposed resolution, the Asheville Symphony would offer input on its acoustical needs for the space.

Under new business, a consideration of a resolution authorizes the mayor to “execute any and all documents necessary to amend the interlocal agreement with Henderson County, and effectuate the sale of the Ferry Road property to Buncombe County.”

In a 1995 water-use agreement, the city of Asheville transferred the use of the 137-acre property to Henderson County. The property is located near Brevard Road, off Ferry Road, on the west side of the French Broad River.

According to the city of Asheville, Buncombe County has been working with a potential economic-development partner that is considering expanding its operations into the county, a move that would require a large tract with nearby highway access. Buncombe County has agreed to purchase the Ferry Road Property from Henderson County for the appraised fair market value price of $6.8 million.

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners will consider the sale of the property at its April 15 board meeting. The purpose of the resolution being heard at the April 14 Asheville City Council meeting is to grant approval of this sale and acknowledge that the terms of the interlocal agreement have been met.

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About Pat Barcas
Pat is a photojournalist and writer who moved to Asheville in 2014. He previously worked for a labor and social rights advocacy newspaper in Chicago. Email him at pbarcas@gmail.com. Follow me @pbarcas

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