Asheville Citizen-Times Editorial, 9/27/2005

Hulking behemoth of a parking deck is all wrong for downtown Asheville's aesthetics

by Julie Brandt
published September 27, 2005 6:00 am

Have you heard about the new parking deck proposed for downtown Asheville?

It's supposed to be built just across the street from our gorgeous historic landmark, the St. Lawrence Basilica. The deck is a project of mammoth proportions. As proposed, it's 5.5 levels high and actually wraps around two sides of the Battery Park Apartments, just 15 feet from their windows.

This project is not in the best interest of Asheville residents, business owners or the tourists who come here for the beauty and character of our city.

Everyone we speak to is opposed to this monstrosity. There are two petition drives against it and word is spreading. When people see the model depicting it, hear how much it costs and understand the permanent damage it will inflict, they are outraged.

We are experiencing rapid growth as a city, especially downtown. How we grow is important. Let's look at the details.

First, the expense, $20.8 million, is outrageous. And $32,000 a space is more than over twice the typical cost of a parking space. The price keeps escalating, too: it was $8 million when first proposed. There are three private buildings in this development. The roads and infrastructure needed for them keeps raising the cost. If our concern really is lack of parking, let's focus on that. Why should taxpayers underwrite the costs of private development?

Also, this is not the solution to financial problems of the Grove Arcade. One new parking deck will not suddenly fill the Grove with tourists. Do they even want more retail, restaurant and office space nearby to compete with them? Several new satellite parking areas spread around town with a free shuttle service to all shops, restaurants and businesses was recommended in the 1998 parking study; why hasn't that concept been developed? That would not only help the Grove Arcade but all downtown businesses, not to mention the convenience for visitors.

Additionally, this project is a real threat to the structural integrity of our gorgeous Basilica. The 97-year-old building already has a crack in its dome and massive construction nearby will put it at great risk for further damage.

And what about the tourists who come from places like Atlanta and Charlotte? They come to see Asheville's visual beauty. Why would we hide the jewel of the Basilica behind new construction that will block it from view forever? Our grandchildren will not thank us for this.

What could the designers have been thinking, to suggest wrapping this deck around two sides of the Battery Park Apartments? Those residents are elderly, low-income and disabled. Can you imagine City Council trying to inflict this on one of the luxury condos downtown? Are we trying to asphyxiate the elderly folks who live there? These residents cannot afford to move. The city has many other choices for parking.

If Asheville acquires the land where the deck and commercial buildings are proposed, let's make it a park instead. As we increase the population density of downtown, we also need to increase the green space. Every construction project that council approves reduces green space. Three trees come down, one shrub is planted. Tourists come for visual beauty, and grass and trees increase the livability of a city. A park would provide shade and a beautiful view of the Basilica. Planting trees would also help air quality.

Apparently the city approached the owners of the BellSouth parking lot first, as it was clearly the best location for a new parking garage. BellSouth would not sell. The city then told the owners of the Basilica if they did not sell the land they owned across from the Basilica for this project, the city could use eminent domain. What an outrageous veiled threat, considering that the proposed project is a combination of public and private development.

Any one of these reasons is sufficient by itself to oppose this massive deck and the accompanying private development.

How can you help? You can download a copy of our petition from www.ashevilleparc.org, write or call City Council, and please vote in the upcoming City Council election only for candidates who oppose this project.

Asheville's downtown is growing and faces some very real issues. Let's look for solutions that improve livability. Let's find answers that are reasonably priced. We need to preserve beautiful historic landmarks for future generations. Let's also care for the needs of our elderly as we try to preserve the wonderful qualities that make Asheville the place we all want to live.

Julie Brandt is spokesperson for the community group Asheville PARC (People Advocating Real Conservancy) and can be reached at info@ashevilleparc.org