I completely agree with Brad Dawson when he calls the Aloft Hotel “a mistake” and “better suited to Myrtle Beach” [“Is Asheville Becoming Boomtown, N.C.?” May 27, Xpress].
It seems that developers are clawing for a chance to get a piece of Asheville and that tourism promoters won’t be happy until the whole world wants to be here.
Preservation must have a stronger voice in the planning process, or Asheville will become as frenzied and unattractive as any overdeveloped resort.
— Anne Bevilacqua
Waynesville
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5 thoughts on “Letter writer: Preservation must have a stronger voice in Asheville’s planning process”
Erik B.
I am a lifelong resident of the area and with the major tourism boom as of late Asheville is beginning to feel less like home and more like one of the countless over-gentrified tourist traps that litter the US. It is up to us, the locals who built this city and made it what it is, to preserve our culture and make the city council listen before its too late and we are just “Myrtle Beach in the mountains.” Tourism isn’t a terrible thing, however, it should NOT be at the center of our economy when local business owners and employees can’t even afford the rent to stay in the city! We don’t need more hotels, we need incentives for entrepreneurs to go out and actually have a shot of being successful here. I always wanted to see this city grow…. but not like this.
Big Al
Don’t hold your breath. City Council has shown no interest in any business ventures that do not involve beer or folk art.
Erik B.
I don’t mind the beer part, in fact I am glad there is so much good beer floating around here. I just thing the locals need to take some serious action before it is too late. I’m not against civil disobedience if it is something that will send a message.
Big Al
How would more emphasis on preservation (and I assume you mean of historic architecture) have changed the outcome of the Aloft building? It replaced a vacant lot and a hot dog stand, albeit a popular one. Granted, I think the Aloft is a testament to Stalinesque architecture, but no art deco or gargoyles were destroyed to replace it and I see no evidence that any of Asheville’s current historical properties are threatened.
Jaded Local
Ah, somebody from Waynesville telling Asheville how it should be run.
I am a lifelong resident of the area and with the major tourism boom as of late Asheville is beginning to feel less like home and more like one of the countless over-gentrified tourist traps that litter the US. It is up to us, the locals who built this city and made it what it is, to preserve our culture and make the city council listen before its too late and we are just “Myrtle Beach in the mountains.” Tourism isn’t a terrible thing, however, it should NOT be at the center of our economy when local business owners and employees can’t even afford the rent to stay in the city! We don’t need more hotels, we need incentives for entrepreneurs to go out and actually have a shot of being successful here. I always wanted to see this city grow…. but not like this.
Don’t hold your breath. City Council has shown no interest in any business ventures that do not involve beer or folk art.
I don’t mind the beer part, in fact I am glad there is so much good beer floating around here. I just thing the locals need to take some serious action before it is too late. I’m not against civil disobedience if it is something that will send a message.
How would more emphasis on preservation (and I assume you mean of historic architecture) have changed the outcome of the Aloft building? It replaced a vacant lot and a hot dog stand, albeit a popular one. Granted, I think the Aloft is a testament to Stalinesque architecture, but no art deco or gargoyles were destroyed to replace it and I see no evidence that any of Asheville’s current historical properties are threatened.
Ah, somebody from Waynesville telling Asheville how it should be run.