Some people would like to commute between Hendersonville and Brevard in a greenspace free of motor vehicle exhaust. A planning study for converting an old railroad line into a greenway cost the FHA $52,000. An economic analysis cost $33,000, most of which came from local taxpayers – er, government magic stashes. Hendersonville City Council will hold a public meeting on the topic at West Hendersonville High School at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 28.

Volk and Oliphant said that city and Friends of the Ecusta Trail leaders have encountered opposition from landowners along the proposed trail route, and they hope results of the two studies will help ease their concerns — namely that they don’t like the idea of so many people walking along their property.

Perhaps more worrisome for trail supporters, however, is lack of support from Norfolk Southern, which has “still not agreed to any of this, . . . We have been told they have no interest in giving this (rail line) up and no interest in even talking about it,” [Friends of the Ecusta Trail President Mike] Oliphant said of Norfolk Southern. “They are still hopeful it will be put backback in service at some point.”