What a shame. That was a HUGE opportunity to use the property for a mixed-use development that might have leveraged public and private sector financing, as well as grants for revitalization of historic small town economic development areas, infrastructure grants, etc. [More on this below] The blatantly obvious use for the property would have been an underground or attached (rear) parking structure, a bridge over Probart St. linking the historic courthouse to 'new courthouse' that was situated over and/or adjacent to appropriately and historically designed streetscape shops, markets, public spaces, galleries, AND POSSIBLY A BOUTIQUE HOTEL (if small to medium-sized) etc. all the way down the hill on N Broad St revitalizing and expanding downtown. It would spark develop on the opposite side of the street and create a new 'gateway' to downtown Brevard. Broad street could be narrowed to two lanes (except intersection turn lanes) and expanding sidewalks, outdoor eating, trees, and potentially water features? I'm not the only one that has been thinking along these lines. A letter to the editor was written in the Transylvania Times about a year ago. Regrettably it apparently received no traction? Frankly it's shocking to me how much the city and county have burdened the Transylvania County citizens by lack of planning for the school and new courthouse bonds and not adequately pursued line-item funding given the very vocal Republican support at all levels of government and local political connections with a former powerful local congressman residing here?? Why would we tax ourselves so much and not attempt to take advantage of existing resources? Might there be anyway to work to have this stopped or approach the new owner of the hotel with the concept as a 'partner'?
This is sad news for me personally. I did not move to this area to live in a small town that has the look of a mini-metropolis. I did not move here for the modern conveniences like Dollar General on every corner destroying the landscape and the natural beauty of the forest. I do not need more burger joints or franchises, etc. I do not need more people trashing my little town or increasing the degradation of the community. I support local homegrown businesses. What happened to being the best little secret? Why has greed for the mighty dollar taken over? For families that want to live in a simple and honest community that cares about what is truly important to be successful and happy in life, we will be forced to move on. All for the mighty $$ and keeping up with the Jones.
What a shame. That was a HUGE opportunity to use the property for a mixed-use development that might have leveraged public and private sector financing, as well as grants for revitalization of historic small town economic development areas, infrastructure grants, etc. [More on this below] The blatantly obvious use for the property would have been an underground or attached (rear) parking structure, a bridge over Probart St. linking the historic courthouse to 'new courthouse' that was situated over and/or adjacent to appropriately and historically designed streetscape shops, markets, public spaces, galleries, AND POSSIBLY A BOUTIQUE HOTEL (if small to medium-sized) etc. all the way down the hill on N Broad St revitalizing and expanding downtown. It would spark develop on the opposite side of the street and create a new 'gateway' to downtown Brevard. Broad street could be narrowed to two lanes (except intersection turn lanes) and expanding sidewalks, outdoor eating, trees, and potentially water features? I'm not the only one that has been thinking along these lines. A letter to the editor was written in the Transylvania Times about a year ago. Regrettably it apparently received no traction? Frankly it's shocking to me how much the city and county have burdened the Transylvania County citizens by lack of planning for the school and new courthouse bonds and not adequately pursued line-item funding given the very vocal Republican support at all levels of government and local political connections with a former powerful local congressman residing here?? Why would we tax ourselves so much and not attempt to take advantage of existing resources? Might there be anyway to work to have this stopped or approach the new owner of the hotel with the concept as a 'partner'?
This is sad news for me personally. I did not move to this area to live in a small town that has the look of a mini-metropolis. I did not move here for the modern conveniences like Dollar General on every corner destroying the landscape and the natural beauty of the forest. I do not need more burger joints or franchises, etc. I do not need more people trashing my little town or increasing the degradation of the community. I support local homegrown businesses. What happened to being the best little secret? Why has greed for the mighty dollar taken over? For families that want to live in a simple and honest community that cares about what is truly important to be successful and happy in life, we will be forced to move on. All for the mighty $$ and keeping up with the Jones.