Let's Wise Up!
Infrastructure
Over the last couple of years we have made significant progress in rebuilding our antiquated infrastructure systems, especially with water delivery lines. Our continued infrastructure development must be a top priority moving forward. For far too long the city has taken a reactive stance on key infrastructure issues and it has became a war of attrition. We are facing critical issues with our antiquated sewage treatment plant that can no longer be fixed with by savaging used parts from other abandoned plants. There has been criticism with the City for spending time and money on examining engineering costs for a replacement plant. In order to understand the complexities and costs of a new sewage treatment plan, we have to have comprehensive engineering. In my professional experience, any project that is not carefully studied at the front end ends up taking more time and more money in the long run. That being said, there are still hurdles to overcome with funding and scope. Luckily, under the current Presidential administration, there are a number of new infrastructure grants available.
We also have major issues with our water delivery system that we need to address. Our job is to find and listen to the people that do and find a path forward for them and the city.
Additionally there are other infrastructure issues like sidewalk repair and installation that should always be moving forward. A connected, walkable city is far more accessible to our citizens.
Housing
Multi-Family:
This is a primary concern. The newly adopted Brevard Comprehensive Plan is a solid plan moving forward and has already been tested on a couple of cases. We are desperate for multi-family workforce housing. It cannot be overstated how important it is to our community. There is a common misconception that multi-family housing will somehow change a neighborhood into a “ghetto”, as one speaker called it in a recent City Council meeting. History teaches us this isn’t true. Our workers have the right to live in the place they work. We cannot provide that for them and it is a massive failure. I have also been to many city council meetings where people said they were in favor of this housing, just not near them. There is very little developable land in the city, and so we have to work with communities to better understand and realize the benefit of multi-family residences.
Affordable Housing:
This is as important, if not more so, than multi-family development. We have almost no options for working people or people who need assistance. They all deserve a safe home as much as anyone else. We need to create homes so people can work AND live in the community. At this stage in the game, because we are so desperate, I’m in favor of mandatory development with incentives. The city also needs to focus on educating the community on what workforce housing really is, why it is important, and how it can enrich our community.
Smart Growth
We are incredibly lucky to live in a place with the natural beauty that we have here. We should be working to capture more of the outdoor recreation market that is naturally here and recruit small to medium manufacturing from industry that naturally want to be here. Bike builders, gear makers, trail makers, outfitters, etc.
areWe have some exciting opportunities on the near horizon that could truly catapult these efforts. Two examples:
Ecusta Trail:
The Ecusta Trail is an 18 mile Rails to Trails project connecting Brevard and Hendersonville. The project has been ongoing on the Henderson County side for years, but our County Commission refused to support it until it was eventually spearheaded by the City of Brevard. I am proud to serve on the Ecusta Trail Advisory Board through the City of Brevard.
-Funded by federal grants and non-profit funding, not local tax dollars
-Requires no special tax incentives or additional infrastructure
-Non-polluting adaptive reuse of abandoned rail corridor
-Potential economic impact of tens of millions of dollars to community
-Economic driver for small to medium industries
-Major health and welfare benefits for our community
-Look to the Swamp Rabbit Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail for nearby examples of what these projects can do for small communities like ours. Both of these these projects have brought millions of dollars in economic development and jobs into their communities.
Estatoe Trail:
The Ecusta Trial is going to be a critical economic engine, but it won’t reach its full potential until we complete the Estate trail. This will serve two purposes: Greater connectivity within the City and a connection to and from Brevard to the end of the Ecusta Trail in Pisgah Forest. We have to make sure folks using the Ecusta Trail don’t just stop in Pisgah Forest, but can come all the way into the downtown core.
Together these projects serve as a massive economic driver for the City of Brevard. It increases connectivity, brings in business and manufacturing, and beautifies the city.
Working Together
Six years on the Transylvania County Planning Board and well over 20 years as an Architect has provided me with an exceptionally well suited set of tools we need to tackle the issues ahead. I understand building, zoning, planning, complex projects and budgets. We have many challenging issues ahead of us, but working together as a community, we can make progress and move forward. I’m excited to roll up my sleeves, but I need to hear what is important to you. Let us know, contact us and I would be delighted to talk.