To bring old buildings up to modern-day standards involves architectural assessments, electrical upgrades, plumbing revamps and structural repairs — challenges that many preservationists are now facing, and seeking to fund, as Asheville’s turn-of-the-century landmarks continue into their second hundred years.
Spanish architect and designer Rafael Guastavino left his mark at the Biltmore Estate and the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Asheville. His legacy can be explored at a new exhibit in Black Mountain this fall.
“For example, people were not asked, “What is the only thing you would like to do on the property.” In the results of the Open City Hall survey, Public Civic Space did have the highest single total at 351. However, 484 responses asked for a variety of active, locally based mixed uses, retail, commerce or residential space.”
“City Council members Brian Haynes and Cecil Bothwell have the right idea — turn the vacant, city-owned parcel fronting St. Lawrence Basilica and the U.S. Cellular Center entirely into a park.”
A unique community “visioning process” to determine how Asheville residents hope city-owned property on Haywood Street and Page Avenue will be used welcomed members of the public to two recent open houses.
Asheville City Council seeks three at-large members from the community to join the city advisory team for a public engagement process to determine the community’s vision for city-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue.
Asheville City Council approved a public visioning process to solicit broad community input on the future use of city-owned property across from the U.S. Cellular Center and the Basilica of St. Lawrence. Council also voted to demolish a city-owned building adjacent to the area at 33-35 Page Avenue. The building was the headquarters of the Asheville Sister Cities organization before the structure was condemned in November last year.
One clear winner from the 2015 City Council elections: local hopes for a public space for the city-owned lots facing the Basilica of St. Lawrence and the U.S. Cellular Center. Not so clear: exactly what kind of space Asheville needs and who will pay for it. The city’s Planning and Economic Development committee took up the hot potato issue to try to figure out how to move forward.
Supporters of a public park on the site of a city-owned lot across the street from the Basilica of St. Lawrence and the U.S. Cellular Center are gearing up to present 4,389 signed petitions in favor of a park at the Dec. 8 meeting of City Council.
“Alongside great people (which Asheville has in abundance), great architecture is the single most important social, cultural and economic asset a city can possess.”
“The three candidates for City Council who support that green space deserve our support — Brian Haynes, Keith Young and Rich Lee.”
“There are no one-size-fits-all solutions in planning: Each place is very different,” says Todd Okolichany, who began work as Asheville’s new planning director Sept. 8. “That’s a key value for me as a planner: recognizing the differences and uniqueness of each place.” Okolichany, 36, comes to Asheville from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he was principal […]
“As for politics, I would never name my fellow candidates in an attack or participate in push polls or slates.”
“My conclusion: No matter what City Council decides to do with the city-owned property to the south, the basilica will survive and probably flourish.”
“After reading Rich’s open letter on why he supports the green space in front of the Basilica [of St. Lawrence], I believe that he has the financial savvy to help our city go forward without sacrificing our quality of life.”
“After reviewing questionnaires and interviewing candidates, the Sierra Club has endorsed Marc Hunt and Julie Mayfield for Asheville City Council.”
“I appeal for each candidate who has been endorsed by St. Lawrence Green to renounce any association, as this movement has created tensions and anxieties among those of us who demand of our Council members more than manipulating my Catholic church and the public image of the basilica.”
“Brian Haynes, Rich Lee and Keith Young have endorsed preservation of St. Lawrence Green as a public space. That’s one of many reasons I have endorsed them for Council. “
“A green space, for the use of all citizens and visitors, will enhance the beauty of this area rather than destroy it with yet another hotel and parking garage.”
“To not consider voting for [Julie Mayfield], based on only this one downtown green-space issue, strikes me as shortsighted.”
