Asheville City Council reserves site for proposed performing-arts center

While Stewart Coleman‘s controversial Parkside condominium project remains in flux pending a court decision, City Council on Aug. 26 took action on another piece of property behind Coleman’s that could one day become the site for a mixed-use development, the centerpiece of which would be a long-sought state-of-the-art performing-arts center.

We need to talk

“A funny thing happened on the way to the forum.” That title line of an early ‘60s musical comedy-of-errors has now turned out to be more pertinent to Asheville than we might wish. For the last two months, Mountain Xpress has been working to pull together a forum on the broader governmental issues underlying the […]

The talking magnolia

The extensive resistance to building right on top of the disputed magnolia tree in City/County Plaza proves there’s still plenty of vitality in Asheville’s old democratic bones. Many usually apolitical people have joined the fight, saying something like, “This is the last straw.” But the last straw in what? If the magnolia could speak, I […]

Eminent domain imminent?

The controversy over developer Stewart Coleman‘s hotly contested Parkside condominium project has continued to escalate over the past few weeks, as Coleman has stated his intention to cut down a magnolia tree on the disputed property (which borders City/County Plaza). The tree had already become a rallying point for the project’s opponents, who are now […]

The magnolia watchers

No one seems to know exactly how long the magnolia tree has graced City/County Plaza, a stone’s throw from the Asheville City Building. Based on old photos, most interested parties have guesstimated it to be more than 100 years old. Steve Rasmussen, Dixie Deerman And Clare Hanrahan Predicting the date of the magnolia’s demise entails […]

Commission­ers delay Parkside action; Ramsey, Stanley received donations from developer

After a closed session July 25, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners decided to delay acting on reacquiring the Parkside land until after Aug. 25, when a summary judgment in a lawsuit by George Pack’s heirs is expected. Also, campaign-finance records reveal that Parkside developer Stewart Coleman and his employees have donated $1,500 to the […]

Commission­ers delay Parkside action; Stanley, Ramsey received $2,100 from developer

After a closed session earlier today, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners decided to delay acting on reacquiring the Parkside land until after Aug. 25, when a summary judgment in a lawsuit by George Pack’s heirs is expected. Also, election records reveal that Parkside developer Stewart Coleman and his employees have donated $1,500 to the re-election campaign of commissioner Bill Stanley and $600 to that of Chairman Nathan Ramsey, who have both defended the controversial project.

Asheville City Council

Pack Square Park on track Horizons urban-village project delayed As protesters massed outside City Hall on July 15, developer Stewart Coleman told Asheville City Council members about his plans for the controversial Parkside condominium project. It was the first time Coleman had appeared before Council to discuss the project. Slated for the south side of […]

The good thing

Early on in my life, someone told me that there was no problem that couldn’t be solved if you asked the right questions. That advice has come to mind when evaluating what to do about the Parkside condominium project. Anytime a subject so controversial and divisive faces the community, I think we are all torn […]

Technical knockout

Eliciting hisses of disapproval and cries of “Shame!” Asheville’s Technical Review Committee unanimously approved the retooled nine-story Parkside condominium development on July 7. A show of protest: An overflow crowd stood outside the Technical Review Committee meeting on Parkside. Photos By Jonathan Welch Since a height reduction in May avoided a level III conditional-use hearing […]