When my wife and I moved here in 2007, we were both so impressed with what Asheville has to offer. We still feel this way because I don’t want to sound like “It’s over” (Asheville has officially lost its soul). In fact, that last word, “soul,” is what we said about Asheville when we moved here. The city had an earthiness – a soul.
In recent years, however, it has become clear that the developers, hoteliers and construction companies who build these hotels all had their “eyes on the price” here. Do not get me wrong. Asheville really needed hotels, but how many, and just as importantly, where they would be (don’t dwarf the historic buildings people come here to see them in the first place) could have been better planned.
The property tax (here) seems to have created a vicious circle as soon as everyone has found out where the money would go, which is particularly beneficial for the construction of more hotels. It’s ironic (I can think of other words here) that there are these really nice, upscale downtown hotels that tourists come to and pay lots of money to stay – and to get there they have to be on the Way into town, cross pothole streets and nearby highways (I-26 and 240) full of rubbish. When the same tourists roam the downtown area, they also need to be careful stepping on certain sidewalks.
Ben Williamson’s most recent opinion piece [“Rampant Tourism or True Progress? Buncombe Commissioners Must Rein in the TDA,” May 12, Xpress] As he wrote, “Other cities have used their property taxes to channel millions into infrastructure and social programs while supporting the vibrant tourism industry. Why can’t we “Yes, why can’t we?
He also says precisely: “Let’s be clear: turning off this money faucet does not mean the end of tourism here.” In fact, it’s not a news flash (and hasn’t been for a while) that Asheville and the surrounding area are one of the east’s hot spots to vacation. The secret has long been revealed. So how many millions do we have to fund to promote this city?
Like Ben Williamson, I hope the district leaders are doing the right thing too. Otherwise, the soul of Asheville will keep slipping away.
– Brad Dawson
Weaverville