Basilica puts full court press on City Hall to stop proposed development

Jason Sandford May 14, 2009

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

The Basilica of St. Lawrence is fighting off what it considers another development threat – a hotel planned for land right across the street from its front door. We’ve been here before. What’s surprising to me is that I haven’t heard a word about this proposed development from City Hall.

Back in 2005, Asheville City Council spent tens of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars on a proposed parking lot/office space structure that was never built, in part because of basilica opposition, as well as a change in City Council personnel. It was a huge waste of money and energy.

The basilica, which is 100 years old this year, wants the property to be turned into a park. But that’s apparently not the plan.

This Save the Basilica video lays it all out. Apparently the city has been in negotiations to development this property, which includes an old parking structure and the old location of the Flying Frog restaurant. The video narrator says the deal with McKibbon Hotel Group is set to be sealed by the end of the month.

Do you want a hotel at the front door of the basilica? Will construction vibration pose a hazard to the basilica’s beautiful, but sensitive, dome structure? Why hasn’t Asheville City Council been more forthcoming about its plans to develop this land?

These are all key to be answered. Now.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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3 Comments

jlo May 25, 2009

As much as I hate to say it – I agree with Lokel. Every great, distinctive city mixes the old with the new. It is exactly what has made Ashevegas such a destination over the years – the old, the new, the controversial, the artsy, the forward thinking and the retro. If the Basilica won’t buy the land – let’s all move on.

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JBo May 19, 2009

The only argument I have heard come from anyone on council is: That lot of land is too valuable to just turn into a park, something needs to be done with it that fills a community need. Such as a parking dark…

I’ve talked to some of the folks at City Transit & with the PARC group & there is some thought as to why not make it a transit center & park? Put a low-lying building that occupies part of the space not directly in front of the Basilica that can serve as a transit center, with maps, directions to green-ways, bicycling information, bus tickets, trolley tickets, etc. Then in the remaining park area we could have green space with bicycle parking & lockers. It would promote a lot of the ideas that came out as ‘community needs’ during the downtown master plan discussions & design meetings. We just need to find creative compromise between council’s ‘vision’ & the outcry from the people.

LOKEL – from all of the community members I’ve interacted with on this issue, practically none of them care about the fact that it is a Catholic denomination church. They see it as an historically significant, architecturally stunning sanctuary that all can appreciate.

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LOKEL May 14, 2009

I love the argument that "the church" makes against such development.

"We are 100 years old."

"This is Asheville."

Travel to Europe much, or ever leave the County?

All over the world there are newly built buildings (some are even churches), that are built beside, behind and, across from existing historical buildings: why should this project be "demonized" by the Catholic Diocese of NC?

If they want the land, then buy it.

Otherwise, shut up about it.

I think the local Catholics have bigger fish to fry right now, like harboring illegal immigrants (for example).

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