Parkside’s developer draws wrath from client

I am an owner and resident of a condo developed by S.B. Coleman at 21 Battery Park Avenue. I am writing this letter to strongly urge county and city officials to block the construction of the proposed Parkside Condos.

 I agree with all I have read from concerned citizens about the sale of public lands and detraction from Pack Square renovation. In addition, I would like to highlight issues I have not heard raised to date that I am perhaps in a unique position to appreciate as an owner and resident at 21 Battery Park.

 1. 21 Battery Park was identified as one the more ugly buildings in Asheville due I am sure to the unsightly utility equipment located on the roof of the building detracting considerably from the city skyline. I am quite confident that the plans S.B. Coleman shared before construction did not show these unsightly pieces of equipment prominently visible from all over the city. If the plans did show this equipment shame on city officials for accepting the plan. What the proposed plans show for Parkside may not be what the final construction looks like.

2.  S.B. Coleman in my experience was a very unprofessional contractor. I learned while working with him that he could not be depended upon to do as he said he would. His management of my “condo unit project” was most unprofessional in regard to timing and finances. I was named in two separate civil suits resulting from S.B. Coleman’s failure to properly manage and/or pay subcontractors. It took over one year after completion to finally settle accounts and that was only possible after my giving up on ever getting a professional & comprehensive billing.

3. I have been involved in the 21 Battery Park Condominium Association and we have been unsuccessful in getting S.B. Coleman to correct building deficiencies that he verbally agreed to remedy.
In my experience, S.B. Coleman is not a developer/contractor I would ever want to work with again. In my opinion the city and county should be wary of entering into any agreements with S.B. Coleman that are based on an expectation of ethical business practices.

MICHAEL J. WALKER
Asheville

Volunteers needed for Soldiers Angels
to keep up morale via cards, letters, gifts

I’m writing this letter because I am trying to get the communities of Western North Carolina involved in something that I feel is very worthwhile.

I am a volunteer for an organization called Soldiers Angels. Their motto is “May No Soldier Go Unloved.”
This non-profit organization pairs up ordinary people with soldiers all over the world. The volunteers send cards, letters and packages to the soldiers to let them know that they are not forgotten.

There is a desperate need for “angel” volunteers. As of today, there are 200 soldiers patiently waiting to be adopted.

I am asking for any help you can give. People can either send in donations that will be used to benefit the soldiers or sign up to adopt a soldier of their own.

If you can help in any way, please do!! Their website is www.soldiersangels.org .

SHERRY STOKOE
Candler