Several dozen UNC Asheville students and community members gathered outside of Highsmith Student Union on Friday to protest the development of portions of the Millennial Campus property, which includes 45 acres of urban forest.
The walk-out was organized by local artist Spenser Beals who got the students involved. They were joined by various local advocacy groups, most notably Save the Woods.
Beals said he started to advocate to save the woods when he realized he would like to raise his kids so they have easy access to the forest one day.
“Everything stemmed out of that, man, because I can't drive 40 minutes every time I need to go into the woods,” Beals said. “This is right by my art studio, right by where my girlfriend lives. I've gotten into the woods every single day now and I can't give that up. So my heart is centered on the mission.”
A university spokesperson told BPR that Beals requested to hold the demonstration on campus.
“The event is being organized by him and was initiated solely by Mr. Beals,” she said. “Student groups did not make the request.”
In early June, UNCA officials announced a proposed development plan for portions of its Millennial Campus that includes a 5,000-seat multipurpose stadium. A few months later, university officials halted negotiations with developers for the project after much public outcry about the lack of transparency and environmental concerns.
Now, the university is working to establish a Millennial Campus Development Commission that would help guide the future plans.
