Max Alexander, chair of the Asheville Civic Center Commission for nearly three years, has voluntarily turned the commission reins over to John Broadbooks, former vice chair. Alexander will continue to serve as a commission member.
“I think that, thanks to everyone’s huge efforts over the last years—including members whose terms have expired—we’re beginning to [see] progress toward renovation of the Civic Center,” Broadbooks told Xpress. “I look forward to continuing [that effort].” Broadbooks will serve as interim chair until the commission’s June elections.
Alexander, who has been on the commission for five years and also served on the recent Civic Center Task Force, has been a vocal proponent for the Civic Center’s needs. “I’m most proud of the work we did as a team to bring focus on the urgent need for repair of the Civic Center and finally helping the city make the commitment to begin repairs,” he says.
But Alexander says he has been disappointed at not being able to “clear the smoke” regarding the economic impact of the Civic Center, estimated at some $22 million annually by one study but discounted, he feels, by both the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Development Authority.
“I have also been disappointed by the total lack of interest the state delegation has shown toward the Civic Center,” he adds. In the future, Alexander says he would like to see city-sponsored events such as Bele Chere and the Asheville Film Festival take advantage of the Civic Center’s downtown facilities, along with other expansion of the variety of programming and usage at the Center.
The commission has seven members, appointed by City Council, and is charged with reviewing and making recommendations on programming goals and long-range plans. Broadbooks will convene today’s (March 26) public meeting of the commission at 4:30 p.m. in the Civic Center’s Banquet Room.
— Nelda Holder, news and opinion editor
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