Beautify the north end

Posted on by Melinda Young Stuart

During Preservation Month (yes, that’s right—May) and 2008 Buncombe County’s Year of the Park, how can the city of Asheville possibly contribute to destroying the visual environment of one of the city and county’s greatest treasures, the Basilica of St. Lawrence and its surroundings, by permitting the construction of an outrageous hotel block!

A park at that site would complete the unfinished feeling of Asheville’s north point opposite the Civic Center, and would add immeasurably to the welcoming aspects of the area for tourists and everyday drivers arriving at the north end of downtown from I-240. [It would also] give the Basilica the front yard it so badly needs.

Let’s show the country that we have the guts to do it right!

— Melinda Young Stuart
Barnardsville

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2 thoughts on “Beautify the north end”

  1. LOKEL

    If “the Basilica” wants/needs a front yard then let the church members purchase that land in question and “build a front yard.”

    The City and County and their taxpayers are in no way responsible for developing public land into a FRONT YARD for a private entity (the church).

    If the church had wanted a yard why has it never been mentioned until reports of a hotel for the spot emerged?

    This spot of land has looked pretty much the same for as long as I can remember and I have lived in the area since 1963. It has bee a vacant (devoid of structure) for a long time.

    The church (and the “we want a park” crowd), has had years to propose their usage ideas to the City/County and not one word was spoken, until now.

    There was no outcry when the Civic Center was built across the street from the church.

    There was no outcry, (that I can recall), when 240 was built, slicing downtown in two; right in the churches backyard.

    Build the hotel, but make them put a better “face” on the street level with plantings and open space, maybe a fountain ….

    Anyone ever been to NY – St. Patrick’s sits right in the middle of taller and more modern buildings and the world keeps spinning.

  2. Alan7

    The Basilica is an anti-choice symbol and Asheville needs the housing. Plus beautification is elitist. NO ZONING!

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