By CECIL BOTHWELL

As I write this column, the City of Asheville is about to commence demolition of its decrepit buildings on Haywood Street (i.e. the Haywood Street Property, or HSP), across from the Civic Center. I don’t know anyone who thinks removal of those buildings isn’t long overdue.

But the land underneath those buildings is the subject of a longstanding public dispute. What, if anything, ought to be done with the property?

The land and buildings were purchased by the city, using transit funds, in order to build a multistory parking garage. The plan was approved by council and was slated to begin around 2005. 

The public reacted badly to the idea of a high-rise parking garage surrounding the Battery Park Apartments. When the Catholic Church demolished its St. Justin Center in 2004, opening the view of our majestic Basilica St. Lawrence for the first time in many decades, the public outcry increased. How could we justify a mega-structure that would overshadow an architectural gem? 

In the 2005 City Council election, Mayoral candidate Terry Bellamy and council candidates Robin Cape and Bryan Freeborn ran hard against the proposed deck. Bellamy and Cape won, with Freeborn narrowly losing to a massively funded real-estate candidate (who outspent Freeborn by 6:1)

The parking garage idea died.

Very quickly a once-discarded scheme arose: Let’s build a hotel! 

While the Civic Center had never been developed as a conference center (with the necessary break-out rooms and food court), it was suddenly imagined that it would become a conference center, if only there were hotel rooms nearby. Who cares if there are actual conference facilities available if you have a place to sleep? Right?

The city’s proposal for a hotel development on HSP became a formal request for proposals. When the dust settled only one company placed a bid. 

One company.

McKibbon Hotel Group was willing to pay a bargain-basement price for what is easily the most valuable piece of real estate in downtown.

One bid. Only one bid. (Am I alone in thinking that this is either an example of citizen disillusionment/disempowerment, or ... hmm ... insider trading?)

The city accepted, with a contract that required build-out of the proposed hotel/whatever by 2010.

McKibbon failed. Nothing happened.

That is until 2012 when McKibbon squeaked. (Against my vote) Council elected to extend the defunct contract. “We” (not I, to be clear)) gave them several more months to fail. They failed.

In December 2013 they failed to renew the (illegally extended) contract.. (Breathe a huge sigh of relief, you who give a damn about our fair city! McKibbon has already besmirched our downtown with the Soviet-style Aloft on Biltmore! Do we need more evidence?) 

McKibbon has decided to invest whatever economic clout they enjoyed into redevelopment of the ghastly BB&T building with some sort of hotel component up top. (As many folks commented to me: better that McKibbon screw around with the universally despised BB&T than to be given license to further screw up our downtown space.)

But here’s the thing: We can now decide to create a wonderful downtown park, a logical extension of the Civic Center for free and community events, a view-shed for the internationally recognized Basilica of St. Lawrence, an enhancement of the cool, hip, historic, quirky, chill reputation of Asheville. Or we can sell the parcel to some developer with all of the artistic sensibility of McKibbon. Asheville’s downtown can be just one more piece of high-end dirt for sale to the highest bidder. No matter the outcome.

The important matter here is that you can make a difference. This is your city, whether you are a resident and taxpayer or a frequent visitor. You can shape where the city goes with the idea of sell-out or sell-up.

What we are and become over the next century will be a direct outcome of what  you want our city to be and become.

Are we for sale to the highest bidder? Are we a community with a dedication to common goals? Are we “anywhere USA”? Are we proudly Asheville and a leader in the Southeast and nation?

Your call, Asheville. Your call.

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Cecil Bothwell, author of nine books, including “She Walks On Water: A novel” (Brave Ulysses Books, 2013), is a member of Asheville City Council.