Hanrahan notes ‘tree slaughter’ on site of new Health Adventure

12 Comments

1. 

   Laurie Brill January 21, 2009

   Approximately 250 trees were cut down, with the majority of those trees being on the hillside that is in the rear of the property. For those of us who live in Montford and have homes adjacent to the site, this has been a gut-wrenching experience. Large mature trees were cut down in the buffer area. I understand that trees had to come down. However, an arborist and environmental planner should have been consulted on a development that claims environmental sensitivity. You should have been here to watch the children at the Odyssey School stare in dismay as the large mature growth trees right up against their fenceline were cut down.
   For those of you who believe that this project is environmentally sensitive, wake up. I’m sure that the wood floors will be beautiful. But, the large mature growth trees should have been left standing in the buffer area. There would have been plenty of trees for the flooring. Over 100 mature growth trees were taken out. Think about that number.
   Health Adventure officials have gone to great lengths to protect trees on their frontage (Broadway) while they clear cut the space adjacent to the Montford neighborhood. They had the opportunity to preserve a substantial buffer and they chose to do otherwise. We all diligently took part in the planning meetings. We looked at the buffer areas in the drawings and assumed that existing trees in those buffer areas would be protected. One week prior to the clear cutting process, we could not get clarity on what trees were staying and what trees were going. That ambiguity was likely intentional to keep us from raising concerns. And, the city of Asheville needs to address large mature tree growth in buffer areas. If Montford was your neighborhood, you would react as we have. How would you like the lot next to your house clear cut? Drive or walk by the property, then you may re-consider your support of this development.

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2. 

   orulz January 18, 2009

   If you wanted to complain about the trees that would be cut down, the time to do it would have been about 9 months ago, when the Health Adventure project was under review by the city. FYI, see the site plan here:
   http://gis.ashevillenc.gov/documents/DevelopmentMapper/05-51-006/10507-s01-site-plan-Model.pdf

   I think the fact that they’re using the trees in the actual construction of the buildings is marvelous.

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3. 

   Rockula January 16, 2009

   I maybe able to answer a few questions. The trespassing signs were only posted after THA obtained the property. Before that it was a greenspace of 10 acres. Neighbors walked their dogs, kids explored the creek and the occasional homeless camp would pop up then and again. For the last 12 years I’ve been very fortunate to live here and experience it first hand.
   "Slaughter" is an appropriate term. They took almost everything down. The CT reported 80% of the trees, I say 96-97%. True, they will use harvested trees to build. I know the floors will be stunning, they came from some magnificent trees. There’s no way those floors aren’t going to be beautiful. (Unless somehow the contractor messes it up. That couldn’t happen , could it?
   I’ve got some pictures of them before and after the cut. I’d be happy to share. Being here for the cut seemed pretty surreal. I kind of walked around in a daze to tell the truth.
   I’ve gone through some deep emotions since saturday, pissed, sad, selfish, you name it. I guess I’ve settled on sad.
   I request that anyone posting should see it before making a judgement. If you see me playing basketball with my boys bring a six-pack or a nice red and we’ll discuss "progress" .
   Speaking of basketball, one good thing that has occured is that we’re not getting scratched up by the berry bushes that were below, when an errant pass went down the revine… oh yeah, the berries.

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4. 

   Zack January 16, 2009

   The Health Adventure has done many many things to protect as much of this area as possible. The stream that runs through the land will be 100% preserved and integrated within the plans of the park. All of the trees removed will be used within some form of the park. I give kudos to them for how environmentally friendly they are being with this construction. It would be easy to just clear the land and build the park, but they have taken a long term methodical approach that will show many benefits for years to come.

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5. 

   xingxang January 16, 2009

   Where were the Wiccans?

   I guess since the trees weren’t cut down by an evil capitalist like Stewart Coleman that their loss doesn’t count?

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6. 

   Mark January 15, 2009

   Not only will the new Health Adventure do MANY things to help the area, they are also using every tree that is cut down in the building of the museum…most of them on the flooring…which is more than was done to the trees that were cut to make room for the house you live in or the business you work in right now.

   Anyone who can question what the Health Adventure brings to the area obviously has done zero research on the museum.

   Don’t cast trees when living in a house made of wood.

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7. 

   RB January 15, 2009

   it’s not about the removal of all trees…some trees understandably had to be removed for the building, etc. However, it was my understanding that a buffer of trees between the Health Adventure property and the neighborhood was going to be left. Montford often is on the receiving end of ignored rules, contracts, etc. That’s a valid point. If the plans included a buffer of trees, they should have been left there.

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8. 

   judgeyall January 15, 2009

   in this current boom/depression of our area, I understand why feelings get so strong. I did about cry when I drove up to Burnsville a few weeks back. Ugh.
   The fact that the new Health Adventure joins up to the Greenway is a thoughtful part of the plan. All the families who live around downtown can walk or bike to the Health Adventure and the fieldtrips for the students in WNC! I remember loving to learn, as a kid, at my local muesums on day trips like the ones that will soon be offered.

   Speaking of Greenways!!!

   If you get a moment PLEASE fill out the following survey for the wonderful planner working on expanding Buncombe County’s Greenways.

   http://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/parks/news_detail.asp?newsID=6679

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9. 

   Ash January 14, 2009

   judgeyall, i haven’t made up my mind on this. judging from the Health Adventure’s statement’s on its web site, the chopping down of all these trees does seem a bit hypocritical.

   on the other hand, i’m all for progress. new trees can be planted.

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10. 

    judgeyall January 14, 2009

    The new Health Adventure will improve our community and provide much needed jobs- some trees had to go, and thats always sad but this isnt national forest land , or a greenway.

    People need to focus their energy on volunteering if they want to help and not focus their energy on attacking such a wonderful project.

    ‘A place of slaughter’ no. no. no. This endless war is slaughter. Our job market feels like it too. What is happening on Broadway, building a muesum for the community, is not.

    Ash, what do you think?

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11. 

    RB January 14, 2009

    agreed. this is just like the clearing of the supposed "buffer" on Montford Ave. that occurred when The Crest condos were built a few years ago. (Between Montford and Broadway). A 20 ft. or 40 ft. (can’t recall now) buffer was written into the contract, yet the trees were mowed down one night/early morning. Has the same happened here? Health Adventure, be a good neighbor and fix this now.

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12. 

    Jeremy January 14, 2009

    This is a tough situation, and I don’t claim to be an expert on it. But even before The Health Adventure purchased the land, wasn’t it private property with No Trespassing signs posted? Regardless, it doesn’t seem like it was getting much public use before.

    While loss of trees is unfortunate, The Health Adventure does have good plans for the site, with many of the exhibits focusing on environmental and health education and various green techniques used in the building and landscaping. I know, I know…"How can you talk about environmental responsibility when they’re cutting down trees?!" But it seems the result will be a space that is truly a public one and will (hopefully) be well used to educate future generations about our Earth.

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