Letter: Asheville will need to remake itself

Graphic by Lori Deaton

It was foreseeable: People stood in front of City Council and anyone who would listen, and shouted from the rooftops: “Stop” and, “This is not sustainable.” We camped out under the magnolia tree, we brought petitions, the economy gave a brief reprieve, but just.

So, along with COVID-19 comes the law of diminishing returns, a dozen high-end hotels, a brewery in every empty space, a new restaurant opening or two or three sometimes on the same block. A rubber-stamp City Council, the avarice of the developers and COVID-19 have created a perfect storm. Will Asheville, the city I fell in love with, recover in time to prevent irreparable damage? Past leadership decisions would suggest not.

Those businesses that survive should be stronger, and perhaps local leaders who were entrusted with stewardship of this “Paris of the South” will be replaced with leaders who understand that there must be a balance, a plan for the city and how it grows: No more unfettered growth, growth based on need, not greed.

Asheville will need to remake itself into a place that can survive these storms. How it does that will be interesting.

— Jesse Junior
Asheville

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3 thoughts on “Letter: Asheville will need to remake itself

  1. Johnny to the A

    Sigh. When will Ashevillians understand that the topography, far Left anti-capitalism ideals and entitled (and overly opinionated) workforce are not attractive to industry – except for hobbyists or small, niche industries?

    Couple these weaknesses with the ineptness of city and county government, what employer (of note) would willingly or knowingly sign up for such nonsense? The answers is self-evident and has been for decades.

    Charlotte, Raleigh, and the SC Upstate are all so much more attractive to employers and industry of scale. It’s always been this way and always will. Asheville has permanently earned its reputation as a cute destination to spend a few vacation dollars. Nothing more.

    RIP, Asheville.

  2. NFB

    “and overly opinionated) workforce”

    Translation. Prospective employers don’t want potential employees to think for themselves, only follow the company line without question.

  3. Bright

    Remake itself into what? Avill never had an original idea about what it could be! All it ever did was yield to peer pressure and copy other cities. Now it’s hurting because of those copycat bad choices.

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