The money used to purchase the property [across from the St. Lawrence Basilica] came from tax dollars. The income of the sale is less or equal to the original purchase price. You/the city will receive no room tax from the hotel. The sale will only benefit one out-of-state company for a short time.
The benefits are: a few service jobs for locals. Period. Construction will be done by large builder, with only some local hiring. The public resentment will be unending and remembered for generations. Remember buildings like the BB&T in high visual spaces and other recent uglies.
Tourism is Asheville's No. 1 business. Support it. Please. Leave a legacy that generations will enjoy. Don't be mute — support the citizenry.
— Alan van de Kamp
Asheville
