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Affordable housing at the bus station? It's a possibility in Asheville


Asheville City Council will vote Tuesday night on whether to buy a parking lot next to the downtown bus station, where officials want to build affordable housing. (Photo credit: WLOS staff)
Asheville City Council will vote Tuesday night on whether to buy a parking lot next to the downtown bus station, where officials want to build affordable housing. (Photo credit: WLOS staff)
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The ups and downs of affordable housing continue for the city of Asheville. On Tuesday night, city council will vote on whether to buy a parking lot next to the downtown bus station, where officials are thinking about building affordable housing.

People who ride the bus in downtown Asheville said they’d love to be able to live near the bus station.

“I think it’d be a good idea,” said Weaverville's Lori Baker, who rides the bus every day to get around. “It’s so hard for me to get here."

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If city council decides to buy the Talbert Lot next to the bus station, the city is thinking about transforming the parking lot and bus station into a transit-oriented development to provide better bus service and affordable housing.

If the city purchases the 0.89 acre lot, it will have about 1.5 acres to work with.

David Nash, executive director for the Asheville Housing Authority, said it’s a great idea.

“That particular location is a fantastic location for centralized affordable housing and for other services,” he said.

The city has examples of what it's thinking about on council’s agenda.

It’s going to cost the city $2.5 million to buy the parking lot, but Dogwood Health Trust is committed to paying half.

“This is not the only solution, but it is an important solution. And it’s in an important location that was identified as a redlined neighborhood in the 1930s,” Nash said.

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The parking lot property was historically redlined where home loans used to be denied on the basis of race. If this project is approved, the city plans to advance racial equity through the development of the project.

“We need thousands and thousands of affordable units to solve the affordable housing crisis in Asheville,” Nash said.

As this proposal is pursued, 11 affordable housing units planned for Alice Clement Lane in Asheville don’t look like they are going to work out.

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On Tuesday, council will vote on whether to take back money awarded to the Juna Group, Inc.

News 13 spoke with the developer, who said lumber prices have tripled and they are no longer able to afford the project.

It’s a sign of the struggle that continues to provide affordable housing in Asheville.

If city council on Tuesday to approves the purchase of the Talbert Lot, the city hopes to close on the property in June.

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