Chairman Mao would really be proud of the visioners in Asheville. When normal people were at work supporting the local economy, they spent a week prophecying on what kinds of buildings (sq. ft., balconies, courtyards, density of development) should go where in a currently slummy part of town. They foretold of a magnificent fountain stocked with trout and a signature bridge with a tower of regional proportions. An oval traffic circle would improve traffic. Father-son-and-holy-ghost (not capitalized) houses would dot the mountainside. The visionaries, by their own confession, didn’t worry about supply-side economics, they only looked at the type of housing people wanted.
The whole thing reeks of delusional megalomania – and too much government control. However, Asheville’s mayor, two city council members, former city council members and mayors, several members of city staff, architects and planners participated in the visioning process. City council will be asked to adopt the plan this Tuesday, and I think it’s gonna get a go-ahead.
It is doubtful taxes will rise to fund the public works required to redesign all the fashionable streets and landscaping. Asheville probably won’t even apply for a federal grant to take advantage of generous Chinese creditors. Mayor Terry Bellamy, who, with her former employer, has been involved in the process, has been advocating for the city to get involved with those risky government speculation schemes known as TIFs for years.
I would appreciate somebody with expertise in economics and a lot of patience getting back to me to explain how this is going to work.
