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can The Basilica Be TrusTed To Build a park? Over the past few months there have been several letters objecting to the proposed hotel on Haywood Street across from the Basilica. I wonder if anyone remembers the particularly awful building called the education annex that the church itself built right across the street in its direct sightline. When they tore it down, it did not become a park, but only a sad, heat-generating blacktop parking lot. Had a park been created and maintained there since then, I would feel a lot better about the adjacent parcels being sold to the Charlotte Diocese for some sort of public space. It is likely these buildings would be torn down and more flat-surface parking would appear until some “plan” many years from now gets formulated. This will create more nontaxable income for the church and an eyesore for the city. Asheville is surrounded by thousands of acres of protected land but has a small and finite central business district; it is not advisable to put any more cityowned land into non-revenue situations. This property was purchased years ago for the city to develop. We should do just that and let the church make a beautiful plaza on their parking lot. — Steve Woolum Asheville
mind The crack! Now that a crack has been discovered in the dome of St. Lawrence Basilica, we know that heavy construction in the area is likely to bring down the wonderful Guastavino tiles, and perhaps the dome with it.
We don't need another hotel near one of Asheville's most famous attractions. City Council member Cecil Bothwell is right. We need a park fronting St. Lawrence. People like City Council member Marc Hunt are mistaken in thinking that another big hotel will make Asheville a better place to live. City Council should take steps to make Asheville look like Greenville, S.C., where a determined mayor, an enlightened public and corporate backing, turned a vast wasteland and swamp into the wonderful area that is downtown Greenville today. Let's make it happen, City Council. Let's show Greenville that Asheville can become a great place for tourists and residents — even greater because we've got a better climate! — Leonard Carrier Asheville
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don’T desTroy whaT makes asheville greaT It seems the city of Asheville is determined to destroy what makes it great. By giving power to rich landowners in downtown to decide the fate of downtown instead of small-business owners who make Asheville a great destination. And now they would allow a large corporate hotel in our downtown right across the street from the Basilica, a treasure in architecture. A park is the obvious choice for the parking lot. An open green space along with a market for our local artists and craftsman would be a much better choice for our city, its people and those who visit us. Tell the city of Asheville “no” to another corporate hotel downtown! — Jeanine Crum Asheville
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