Letter: Site would be ideal for homeless shelter

Posted on by Letters
Graphic by Lori Deaton

While sitting in traffic jams on Patton Avenue, I often wonder why the city doesn’t try to purchase the old Kmart shopping center at Louisiana Avenue. It has sat there for years, empty.

It would seem to be an ideal location to house homeless people. It’s accessible to many bus routes; it’s near lots of businesses for job opportunities; and there are not many neighbors nearby to complain.

I heard it’s owned by Ingles. Maybe they could be convinced to donate it, or they could lease it to the city at a low rate.

The lot would seem to be large enough to accommodate both indoor shelters and more open, “low-barrier” spaces. Hopefully, it also would have a community kitchen.

— Joan Jordan
Alexander

Editor’s note: According to an October WLOS story, Ingles has until May to apply for building permits for the site, or the company would have to launch its conditional zoning approval process again.

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Letters
We want to hear from you! Send your letters and commentary to letters@mountainx.com
View all posts by Letters →

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.

4 thoughts on “Letter: Site would be ideal for homeless shelter”

  1. k

    Or affordable housing for people who work along the major traffic corridor as well as downtown. Or some combination of the two so long as there are some rules. It might not be such a great spot to encourage low barrier lifestyle.

  2. gapple

    step up and lead the effort. Who would retrofit the facility to bring it up to code? From where would initial and ongoing funding come? Who would manage it? What requirements would be expected from users? ………………

  3. Nostupid peoples

    Thought you would like to know , we the people that are fighting and working our butts off for our own families to have a home are NOT on board with keeping up the homeless!!! The sorry city council department are the reason their flocking in here, sickening degenerates need to be replaced ASAP! If people would choose to use the tenth of their brains they would know this. I assure you they have a plan to stuff their pockets rather than give a crap about people’s lives! Let them open up their fine offices and place blow up mattresses for a few homeless. Dock their pay and lease out some hotel rooms with the money. Shove your actions where your mouth is leaders!! Your sick.

  4. Enlightened Enigma

    City already got screwed on one shelter deal and housing is not a function of government.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.