“With the city bond proposal and some rigorous assertion of eminent domain, we could fight back against this myopic system and turn all these properties into permanent, beautiful parks — or some other development with big green spaces and little crowding.”
Asheville’s infamous “Pit of Despair” may soon move one step closer to redevelopment. At Asheville City Council’s meeting of Tuesday, Oct. 27, members will review — and potentially approve — a concept plan for two city-owned parcels located at 68 Haywood Street and 37 Page Avenue.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our community to meet several of its goals with one carefully crafted development project.”
“Do our millions of yearly visitors think it’s some kind of modern art? Maybe Rockpile Impressionism, a Christo creation or abstract nihilism?”
“While I suggested a different location, I support Councilman Keith Young’s recommendation, which was just announced, to name the Municipal Building for Walter Robertson.”
Council members will consider whether to authorize City Manager Debra Campbell to pursue funding for a final site plan at 68-76 Haywood St. and 33-39 Page Ave. The estimated cost of such a design is $340,000, including $16,000 for an updated survey of the property.
2019 prediction: Town of Biltmore Forest will greatly expand its influence in county government by allowing trees to vote.
One of only three local air quality agencies in North Carolina — the others are in Forsyth and Mecklenburg counties — WNCRAQA will hold a public hearing on its proposed budget for fiscal year 2019 on Tuesday, June 26
ASHEVILLE, NC
“Awareness is the first step in change. Instead of blindly following orders and being cruel to others, let us say, ‘No!’ We will not be part of this current roundup.”
“I know tourism is important to the local economy, but considering the low wages generated by tourism, I think City Council should do more to improve the lives of Asheville citizens.”
“As always, Cecil continues to fight consistently and powerfully to protect the very soul of our fair city against outside interests.”
“If you want to make downtown’s grating, gravel Pit of Despair into a pinnacle of pastoral park pleasure, vote for Cecil Bothwell for Asheville City [Council].”
An exhibit of design options created by Clemson University architecture students as part of their coursework provided a tantalizing, if brief, view of the kinds of possibilities that could become reality at city-owned property on Haywood Street and Page Avenue.
Asheville
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.
“Good people can disagree on the park versus mixed-use/public plaza discussion. But no one is saying ‘high-rise hotel,’ even though Cecil [Bothwell] keeps propping up that straw man.”
