ASHEVILLE – The “Parkside” property near City Hall and The Block is being targeted for potential redevelopment into a new downtown performing arts center, according to a Feb. 24 presentation to Asheville City Council. Four sites in downtown were considered in the search for a property.
“This site rose to the top because of the four they found in downtown that would fit a 2,500-seat theater, this is the only one the city already owns and operates,” said Chris Corl, Asheville’s director of community and regional entertainment facilities, during City Council’s Feb. 24 policy, finance and infrastructure work session. The property has been targeted for redevelopment for over 20 years.
City Council had previously sought to develop the site into a $85 million performing arts center in 2008, passing a resolution to set aside the 2.4 acre property south of City Hall for the project. That resolution expired in 2013, the Citizen Times reported. The property was obtained between 2006 and 2007 to evaluate the feasibility of a performance hall on the site, according to a timeline from the presentation…