Video of the original (and ultimately controversial) sale of public parkland to developer Stewart Coleman by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners in 2006 is now available online.
Blogger Arratik, of the Scrutiny Hooligans Web site, assembled and put up the video on YouTube. It includes clips from the Oct. 17, 2006, meeting, where the commissioners voted on the consent agenda, including an item putting the property up for bid. In the second clip, from Nov. 21, 2006, the board votes unanimously to approve the sale (for $322,000 to Coleman’s Black Dog Realty) after adding the item to the agenda at the beginning of the meeting.
Commissioner David Young comments that he thinks the price is good (county staff have since assessed the property value at $544,000). Associate County Attorney Michael Frue briefly explains the location of the property and the circumstances of the sale to the commissioners.
Local activists have criticized the sale, asserting it was an underhanded deal to give public parkland to a private developer. Coleman now proposes to construct the nine-story Parkside condominium project on the site, and the city’s Technical Review Committee approved the project on Monday. Asheville City Council has unanimously condemned the land sale, and will revisit the matter at its Tuesday, July 15, meeting.
— David Forbes, staff writer
You heard it here first folks:
During City Council’s closed session on Tues, July 15th – there will be a public rally from 4:30-6:30pm on City-County Plaza adjacent to the land in question to demonstrate to our city council how much the issue means to we the people and the impact it will have on our city and community.
We hope to have music, food, speakers, and overall community enrichment. We need as many people as possible to come through to show their support on this issue. Get out of work early or just come immediately after!
Stay tuned for more details as they develop –
JBo:
Council’s discussion of the Parkside issue is on the agenda for their July 15 work session. So far, they have not announced an intention to go into closed session.
The public will be able to attend, but Council does not typically take public comment during work sessions. However, if they decide to consider a formal action, they might take public comment.
– Brian
Brian –
Thanks for the info and correction. We were misinformed, so its good we can count on good press to help lead us along.
On a side note – what animal is that in your icon?
– JBo
Please, when the protest does happen, try to avoid the incredibly painful new-age diatribes that are splattered all over WLOS.
Stick to the point that the sale was underhanded with possibility of illegal practices.
There is nothing worse than hearing about the sap of the tree is it’s blood, and needs to be protected for the good of our chi.
Completely nullifies any work that needs to be done, to accomplish – anything..
I think you’re better off talking about spells and tree sap.
So far, the facts have not worked well for you.