- Pack Square Park on track
- Horizons urban-village project delayed
As protesters massed outside City Hall on July 15, developer Stewart Coleman told Asheville City Council members about his plans for the controversial Parkside condominium project. It was the first time Coleman had appeared before Council to discuss the project. Slated for the south side of City/County Plaza, Parkside would include a small but hotly contested piece of parkland that the developer bought from Buncombe County.
Although a complex series of maneuvers has spared Coleman the need for Council approval of his project, he still needs both City Council and the county Board of Commissioners to sign off on an easement to allow for a road that would run in front of the building.
Because the July 15 meeting was a work session, Council took no action. A hearing on the proposed road easement—which Coleman said is needed to provide adequate space for fire staging and protect the view of the landmark City Hall—will probably be held next month, according to planning staff. Afterward, Council went into closed session for about 45 minutes to discuss a potential deal involving a city-owned parcel on Eagle Street (just south of the Parkside site), as well as a lawsuit against the county by the heirs of benefactor George Pack, who oppose the county’s sale to Coleman of land they claim Pack donated on condition that it be held as parkland or a public commons in perpetuity.
Outside City Hall, anticipation rose when protester Steve Rasmussen, a former Xpress reporter, told the crowd that the closed session might mean the city intended to join the lawsuit (see sidebar). When Council members emerged to a packed chamber and applause, however, Mayor Terry Bellamy made no mention of the two items discussed, indicating that there would be neither decision nor vote that day. “Council really wants to reaffirm that the county should try to reacquire the land,” said Bellamy, adding that if there was a workable land swap “that the city could get behind,” Council would consider it. “But we feel the county should be a significant driver,” she said. That brought more applause from the chamber, though it did little to resolve the issue.
Many of those protesting Parkside want the city to condemn the property under eminent domain, which would require Coleman be reimbursed for the fair market value of the land. But that option could prove costly and get tied up in lengthy litigation.
Coleman, who has said he’d like to break ground on Parkside later this year, doesn’t need Council approval of his project because it involves less than 100,000 square feet. The road is a different matter, however, and Coleman said at the meeting that if he can’t build it in front of his building, construction and fire staging would have to be done behind it on Marjorie Street, which is only 14 feet wide. His proposed Court Plaza frontage road would be at least 20 feet wide.
In making his case, Coleman claimed that if he didn’t get the road he would be forced to move the building footprint 15 feet north. Using illustrations, he showed Council how this would obstruct the view of the 1928 Art Deco City Hall from the adjacent Vance Monument. “That has a tremendous effect on the view corridor,” noted Coleman. The entire area is in the midst of an extensive renovation and redesign that’s partly funded by the city and county (see below).
The quickening
The construction phase of the long-delayed Pack Square Park got under way this month, and the park is slated for completion by September 2009, Pack Square Conservancy board chair Carol King told Council.
Beneath the magnolia, protesters await answers
by Brian Postelle
The air outside the Asheville City Hall felt hotter than the 85 degrees reported for July 15, but demonstrators found shade in the magnolia tree that has become the focal point in their fight against the controversial Parkside development.
“Enjoy the shade while you can—before they cut the tree down,” one participant said in passing.
“They’re not going to cut down this tree!” declared Clare Hanrahan, propped against its trunk. Hanrahan and a few others have been mounting a daily vigil under the tree for the past few weeks, but on this particular Tuesday, she had plenty of company.
About 160 people turned out for the rally—giving speeches, playing music, holding signs and showing solidarity in the fight to reclaim the sliver of Pack Square Park that’s currently included in the Parkside construction plans.
Several activists who have figured prominently in the Parkside battle spoke from a makeshift podium, encouraging the protesters not only to express their opposition but also to take their grievances to the polls in the upcoming Buncombe County Board of Commissioners races.
“If we can’t hold them accountable before then, don’t forget who not to vote for in November,” urged rally organizer Jen Bowen.
Barry Summers, who hosts a radio show on WPVM-FM and has been at the center of the effort to collect documents related to the Parkside issue, reminded the crowd of the Grove Park Inn’s proposed project near the Parkside site, which was scratched a few years ago in the wake of public outcry.
“We need to send the message to our representatives to close this embarrassing spectacle and return our park to us,” Summers proclaimed. “We beat back this type of development before, and we can do it again.”
As the Council meeting continued indoors, several demonstrators bounced back and forth between the lawn and the second-floor Council chamber to relay updates on developments there, but no one seemed surprised when word came down that City Council had decided to smack the Parkside ball back into the county’s court.
Former Council candidate Lindsey Simerly was one of several in attendance who have made bids for public office in recent years. Former Board of Commissioners candidate Cecil Bothwell and former City Council candidate Elaine Lite were also on hand. Referencing Council’s decision, Simerly said it might buy more time to stop the Parkside project. But her optimism at the microphone was lukewarm.
“It’s not super strong, but it’s goodish,” she said. “So, yay! … kinda.”
Summers had a different take, charging that Council was evading its responsibility. “Kicking this back to the county just moves [the project] further down the road,” he said. “Doing nothing is not enough.”
That was welcome news to Council members, who also learned that the conservancy is closing in on raising the balance of the $20.5 million it will cost to complete the project. King and accountant Charles Russell said an aggressive fundraising campaign is under way to raise the nearly $5 million that’s needed. This year, the focus is on big donors; a public fundraising phase will begin early next year. Despite the shortfall, caused as costs rose over the past couple of years due to unexpected construction difficulties and price increases for fuel and materials, Russell said, “We’re financially sound and believe we can financially complete this project.”
The conservancy has taken hits for the delays in the project—the result of rising costs, redesigns to cut costs, and protracted contract negotiations with the N.C. Department of Transportation, among other things.
Voicing support for the conservancy, Council member Carl Mumpower said that theirs has “sometimes [been] a thankless job.” He also asked what could be done to help meet the current deadline?
Besides money, said King, “We need support and trust from the public.” The volunteer board, she noted, “has worked long hours and years and often feels kicked in the gut.”
As for Coleman’s development, which would be right next to the new park, King urged: “Do your best with the Parkside project. I really hope we can come up with a way to make everybody feel at peace.”
Other business
In a special request, Council suspended its usual work-session rules and voted 5-0 to postpone consideration of a rezoning request for the Horizons urban-village project until Oct. 28. (Council member Brownie Newman was absent, and Robin Cape arrived after the vote.)
Planned for the former Deal MotorCars site on Merrimon Avenue, the project is encountering financial difficulties, according to the developers.
“This request has become necessary due to the recent economic conditions,” Marty Kocot, an official with a design firm working for the developers, explained in a letter to Council. “The ownership group is currently exhausting opportunities and trying to secure financing and/or additional partners to help with the project economics.”
The proposed infill project would feature twin 10-story towers housing a mix of commercial and residential development. Meant to reduce sprawl, the project has encountered opposition by some who claim the towers are out of scale with the area and would block sunlight from surrounding homes and businesses.
Newman was absent and Cape missed the vote. Hum, why?
Imminent Domaine is the way to go on this issue. period.
Besides money, said King, “We need support and trust from the public.” The volunteer board, she noted, “has worked long hours and years and often feels kicked in the gut.”
I disagree, I think the public feels “kicked in the gut” by the Conservancy …. how long does it take to spruce up a park?
Imminent Domaine is the nuclear option and sets an unclear precedent for future dealings. The ideal solution is for the county to unwind the deal and take their lumps. It seems litigation that the county will loose is inevitable with either method. I hope – but am not holding my breath – that the county commissioners have learned something.
This situation has gotten to the point where the “nuclear option” is the only way to go. Take the land back and leave the greedy Coleman with nothing.
Eminent Domain, y’all.
It’s in The U.S. Constitution, y’all:
From the 5th Amendment: “nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation”
The County’s offered Coleman 250% more than he paid, and he still says no. He’s not going to allow a buyout. He’s playing chicken with our government, expecting they’ll blink and shy away from using the power they have.
Eminent Domain is for highways, schools, utilities etc … not for unwinding crooked real estate deals. Coleman is holding out for big money from the county because of their ineptitude. He’s going to win in court and is beginning that case/settlement with this posturing. Its all about the money now. He’ll get way, way more than 250% unless someone can prove he always knew the deal had problems. If no one can prove he was in on it from the beginning, he’ll just sue because ED was used on him. Hopefully, there’s an insurance policy somewhere. Using ED here would ‘expand’ ED powers. Surely, you don’t want that!?
I am ordinarily opposed to Eminent Domain. But in this case, all for it. This man schemed to buy public park land given by the Pack family with the stipulation that it always remain public land. The thought of another high dollar yuppie development right in the center of town sicks me. Talk about selling our heritage out. Give Coleman one last chance to sell it back for the amount Gordon mentioned, and if he refuses, TAKE IT by force of law.
ED will not keep him from suing and winning. It does not close the door on the county’s liability to him. It will just complicate the case and cost Buncombe County more money. He may even win the case that ED shouldn’t be used for this purpose. My bet is he’s going to sell or swap .. for big money.
It looks like the county is going to do something – at least from the sound of MX’s latest article.
Stick to your guns that ED is bad and should be shelved as the monster it has turned into.
I have to wonder if “reality check” is connected somehow to Coleman. The City or County worry about a law suit? Balderdash. If you research other emminent domain cases around the country, you will see that they stand. Period. You cannot fight City Hall. If municipalities around the country can condemn people’s houses so a developer can build something that will pay higher taxes, then the opposite can stand the test of law as well. The US Supreme Court has already ruled that government can seize property through emminent domain.
Buncombe County Commissioners: either take the public land BACK, or get voted out in November. It’s that simple. The people of Buncombe County deserve a board of Commissioners who favor the average citizen and are NOT beholden to special interests. Are your ears burning Carol Peterson? No new “trailers” in Buncombe County so your rich friends’ property values will stay high? There is no one in the tank for developers raping WNC more than Carol Peterson. Vote the elitist OUT in November.
Rest assured, WPM, I’m not in the tank for anybody. I want the property to revert back. If someone I bequeathed my land to with conditions violated them after I died, I would haunt them every day.
I’m an ED hater and want to see another solution. You can’t deny that the county screwed everybody here .. including Coleman .. unless he knew in advance the deal was dirty. Coleman being a local, I actually have a hard time believing he didn’t know that parcel was ‘tainted’. If that’s the case, I hope the Pack family sues him into the dirt.