Community members gathered to hear alternative proposals for the University of North Carolina Asheville’s millennial campus property last week. The recommendations were in response to the university’s plan to build a new stadium, which includes the controversial destruction of 45-acres of beloved woods.
The advocacy group Save the Woods organized the event at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. More than 30 people attended. The proposals stemmed from a three-day visioning workshop in August. Scott Burroughs, a local architect with This Land Studio, created the designs.
“ The purpose of this was, here are some other ways that you can get” the economic benefit, Burroughs said. “Perhaps get them quicker and perhaps get them more resilient to economic changes.”
Burroughs proposed moving the location of the millennial campus properties over to the Zillicoa Street site, which was supposed to be used for future campus expansion when the UNC Asheville Foundation bought the land in 2014. The 22 acres of land is closer to downtown Asheville and southwest of the UNCA campus.
Burroughs proposed creating an innovation, design and arts quarter at the Zillicoa location as well as a market and food hall, or more housing.
Other ideas included building the proposed soccer stadium near the Greenwood Sports Fields area, which is where some of the university's sports teams hold games and practices.
The year-long conflict between Save the Woods and UNCA may not amount to anything in the end because the state legislature passed House Bill 926 on Oct.6. The new law means that UNC System projects don't have to follow Asheville’s Unified Development Ordinance which governs all other development in the city.
Kerry Graham Walter, a member of Save the Woods, was not surprised by the government’s action.
“ Obviously we're disappointed, but not especially surprised,” Walter said. “ A lot of people have been contacting their representatives, not just here but throughout the state because of the way it removes local political power from the process. And I think that's a dangerous thing overall in the long term.”
Brian Hart, Director of UNCA Communications, said the school is committed to providing the area the best benefit through the millennial campus development.
“We continue to uphold the standards of transparency and good faith across our operations,” Hart wrote in an email. “Our decisions of mutual interest and concern will continue to be guided by conversations with our stakeholders.”
It is still unclear if UNCA will follow the new law as the deadline looms in January for a final report from the Millennial Campus Development Commission.
UNCA Board of Trustees Chair Roger Aiken and van Noort appointed the members of the commission, but it’s unclear exactly who is on it. The commission is tasked with gathering community input, exploring alternatives to the south campus plan, and making recommendations on the sequencing and prioritization of projects.
