Ben Teague of the Economic Development Coalition of Asheville-Buncombe County. Behind him is outgoing EDC Chair Bob Roberts of First Citizens Bank. Photo by Michael Muller.
Although an official with the city denies that any final decision has yet been made, Xpress has learned from an informed source that Ben Teague has been nominated to serve as the new chairman of the city’s Riverfront Redevelopment Commission. Teague currently serves as senior vice president for economic development at the Economic Development Coalition of Asheville-Buncombe County.
Stephanie Monson, an urban planner with the city of Asheville’s Office of Economic Development and the Riverfront Redevelopment Coordinator, took issue with the claim that Teague had been nominated, and provided Xpress with the following statement this afternoon (Tuesday, June 22): “The Riverfront Redevelopment Commission is currently in the process of producing nominations for Commission officer positions (Chair and Vice Chair). No decision about who those nominees are has been made yet. A formal announcement will be made by the nominating committee (three members of the Commission) in advance of the July 8th meeting, when an official election is on the agenda.”
The Commission was established by City Council last year to support the continued development and sustainability of the riverfront area. It includes appointees from the city of Asheville, Buncombe County, RiverLink, Council of Independent Business Owners, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the city’s River District Design Review Committee. The Commission acts as an advisory board and provides policy recommendations to the city and strategic partners.
The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for July 8 at 5:30, and they’re looking for a permanent place to hold their meetings. For more information (or to suggest a good place for the Commission to meet), contact Stephanie Monson by e-mail at smonson@ashevillenc.gov.
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