Weaverville First, an activist group formed in response to development plans that will displace residents in the Mountain Terrace trailer park, announced this week that they have secured substantial funding from Harris, Murr and Vermillion, developers of the project. The trailer park is located on part of an 85-acre parcel slated for North Ridge Common which will include a Wal-Mart and a Lowes building-materials store.
Jodie Ochs, a spokesperson for the group, said, “Weaverville First has had a very positive dialogue and working partnership with Steve Vermillion. On Monday [March 19] Steve, myself, and Philippe Rosse from the Affordable Housing Coalition had another teleconference. The result of this conversation is that Mr. Vermillion will be releasing the remainder of the pledged money from HMV, Lowes and Wal-Mart.”
Ochs said the group’s funds for relocation of trailers “should be $63,465.”
“If we could raise another $6,000 through churches or other fund-raising,” she said, “we could cover all of the critical expenses of those residents that applied and met the requirements to receive relocation assistance.”
“There is still time to be a part of this phenomenal community partnership,” Ochs said. “We hope that others will consider donating to this tax-deductible fund today.” All donations are being handled through the nonprofit Community Foundation. Checks should be payable to: The Mountain Terrace Fund of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, P.O. Box 1888, Asheville, NC 28802.
— Cecil Bothwell, staff writer
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