The bidding battle for airspace rights next to a Patton Avenue building being redeveloped under the coordination of Chuck Tessier continues, as the oranization People Advocating Real Conservancy submitted a new bid today (Monday, June 4).
At stake is airspace over the city’s sidewalk, where Tessier and his investors would like to add balconies to the old First Union building, which they are rechristening the Capital Center. Asheville currently handles such property by taking bids on a sale.
PARC’s new bid of $4,040 beats Tessier’s previous bid of $3,800, issued late last month. PARC representative Elaine Lite told Xpress the move is intended to raise awareness about the city’s practice of dishing out airspace at what she says is too low a price.
For some people, she acknowledged, “this is in some ways minutia—but in other ways, it represents something bigger.”
Informed of the new bid, Tessier had no comment Monday, but said he would probably have a response later in the week.
— Brian Postelle, staff writer
