The Pack Square Conservancy owes the City of Asheville $2.1 million. It announced recently that a small portion of the funds will be forthcoming as soon as those who bequeathed fortunes to the park kick the bucket.
The creation of Pack Square Park has been seriously ridiculed by members of the public for a number of reasons. It messed up the middle of downtown for a very long time. In addition, it has been characterized by budget overruns and the conservancy continues to build. Most basically, a park seems a frivolous thing for government to be pursuing in these difficult economic times. The city is not exactly in the position to forgive the debt.
At first, the park was to be built by the private sector. Everybody had the best of intentions. The conservancy did a good job of fundraising, until a federal grant was accepted. Some with grant administering experience warned the good board lacked experience to deal with the government handouts. Then, this, that, and the other study had to be done. This, that, and the other thing was found. Excavating unearthed other unexpected difficulties.
