A recently completed study, commissioned by the French Broad River Partnership in 2019 and led by economist Steve Ha of Western Carolina University, sets the total economic value of the French Broad and its tributaries at $3.8 billion per year. By comparison, the Blue Ridge Parkway that also runs through Asheville creates about $1.3 billion in economic output per year.
“She rode into town on her white steed. And immediately found this silver serpent slithering slowly through the valley, passing the city and sorely in need.”
Community members reflect on the life and legacy of Karen Cragnolin, a dedicated champion of the French Broad River and its possibilities.
“A number of us who are concerned about the environmental dangers to our aquifer and the French Broad River think the deadline to comment needs to be extended.”
“The town of Woodfin has obfuscated when it should have been more honest and clear.”
“I am not just excited but honored to be part of this extraordinary journey to advocate for and protect the French Broad River and to champion responsible economic development and vitality.”
“I am so grateful to all the DOT and city of Asheville employees who worked day after day through a pandemic on this project to beautify our town.”
Conserving Carolina kicks off its 2021 Habitat at Home photo contest, the Coalition for a Bird-Friendly Asheville is advocating for bird-safe window treatments and Asheville welcomes Tracy Swartout as the Blue Ridge Parkway’s new superintendent. This and more in the latest Green roundup.
Richmond Hill residents, eager to preserve their quiet neighborhood from traffic and construction, will do just about anything to block plans to build nearly 1,400 residential units overlooking the French Broad River. And Florida-based developer John Holdsworth and his team appear equally committed to seeing their project approved and constructed.
“The town must implement environmental impact studies, keep property taxes affordable, clean up the river and deny the Bluffs on River Bend.”
“Since history is to be interpreted by today’s tastes and not by the messy past, what about the French Broad. Let’s make it the French Wide.”
“We seem to be mesmerized by the adage that an ‘expert’ is a person with a briefcase who comes from more than 50 miles away.”
“It fulfilled its vision of a uniquely Ashevillean space, where friends and family could gather in a laid-back environment with seemingly few rules outside of ‘behave yourself.'”
“It’s difficult to change our ways. For instance, almost no one worried about gas guzzlers when gas cost 19 cents a gallon.”
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
On Sept. 6, 1951, thousands of dead fish floated down the highly polluted French Broad River.
In the Center for Cultural Preservation’s latest documentary, Guardians of Our Troubled Waters: River Heroes of the South, filmmaker David Weintraub investigates the history of figures such as French Broad crusader Wilma Dykeman and the roles they played in fostering environmental change.
Updated Flatiron proposal to return to City Council Developer Philip Woollcott and building owner Russell Thomas will make another appearance in front of Asheville City Council members on Tuesday, June 25, to gain approval for an updated version of the Flatiron Building project. The original plan would have converted the building into an 80-room boutique […]
“When pollution gets in our rivers, it can have a bigger impact than you may think.”
