Buncombe County officials have halted plans to add 50,000 square feet of space to the county’s Department of Social Services building on Coxe Avenue. A 650-space parking deck planned in conjunction with that expansion has also been put on hold.
County Manager Wanda Greene said Thursday that the $35 million project faces “challenges,” including just how much space the county will require in coming years. A parking study showed a need for a 1,000-space deck and the county budgeted a 650-space deck, Greene said. Meantime, the use of the building and the need for parking continues to grow.
The Coxe Avenue deck would have been open to both county workers and the public.
Meantime, construction crews hired by the county have just about completed work on a 650-space parking deck on College Avenue next to the county health department.
Greene said other big county projects are moving ahead, including the construction of a new animal shelter and a planned renovation of Pack Memorial Library.
County commissioners will hear updates on all county projects at the board’s retreat meeting, set for Jan. 9 and 10.
— Jason Sandford, multimedia editor
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.