Asheville's 'Pit Of Despair' Is No More (In Name Only At Least)

Asheville no longer has a 'Pit of Despair' but instead 68 Haywood Street.  That's the name city lawmakers gave the prominent piece of unused real estate downtown after surveying residents.  Other name suggestions included 'Site 68' and 'The Pit' (had the latter won the references from the NBC sitcom "Parks And Recreation" could have been endless).  The property across from the U.S. Cellular Center will eventually be developed under a plan the city council has been laboring over.  Until then, lawmakers are seeking temporary or 'pop-up' uses for the land.  They'll hold an on-site meeting at the property on June 14th at 3 p.m.  Proposals must be sent to the city by 5 p.m. on June 26th.  Asheville Citizen-Times reporter Joel Burgess spoke with BPR's Matt Bush about the latest on the long empty piece of Asheville's downtown.