WOODFIN - An 83-acre parcel adjoining Richmond Hill Park, overlooking the French Broad River, has been purchased for permanent conservation by an Asheville-based nonprofit. Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, which bought the property March 18 for $12.4 million, said the acquisition ends a yearslong legal battle over a permit for an "intensive" development proposed for the property. “This is a great outcome for this prominent forested bluff above a big bend in the French Broad River, especially in light of the shared desire among locals to support the river’s recovery from Hurricane Helene,” said executive director Carl Silverstein in a news release. The parcel sits just outside city of Asheville limits in Woodfin and was the prospective site for a controversial development that became the
subject of litigation, community frustration and deep environmental concern. Originally proposed as the "
The Bluffs on River Bend ," the project would have sprawled over 80 acres with 1,545 apartments, a 250-room hotel, an office building and several retail facilities. Estimated to cost around $500 million, the project at one point even proposed to build a new bridge across the French Broad. The project was scaled back to
672 apartments in 2022 . Community members, along with town of Woodfin officials, opposed the permit until the March sale signaled an end of the hard-won fight. Robert McGee, longtime resident of the nearby Rolling Oaks neighborhood, was among those who spent years fighting the development, called the sale a "wonderful outcome" for both current residents and future generations. “We’re not going to be able to save every forest, but that was certainly a very critical spot to keep from having a massive development," he said. Woodfin Town Manager Shannon Tuch said they were glad to hear the news of the purchase. Of the ongoing lawsuit between the developer and town over the conditional zoning approval process, she said while technically still active, "we have been in communication with the complainants and are expecting that they will be withdrawing the suit." Attorney Derek Allen, representing the developer, did not respond to request for comment by deadline.
'Huge relief'
The property was on SAHC's wish list for conservation for the past 20 years, according to a March 19 news release. The nonprofit ultimately hopes it can be added to the city's Richmond Hill Park, a wooded 160-acre campus threaded with walking trails, bike paths and a disc golf course. Michelle Pugliese, land protection director for the conservancy, described the acquisition as a "huge relief," its success made even more significant by the property's proximity to the city. To have the Richmond Hill parcel and
Deaverview Mountain slated for permanent conservation so close to an urban area is rare, she said. Pugliese and her dog, Maya, walked the property on a sunny afternoon in March. Though she had charted paths pre-Tropical Storm Helene, downed trees complicated the route into the thickly wooded forest. It was slow going — clambering over deadfall and pushing through thorny undergrowth, Maya bounding ahead. “It is a little bit surreal just knowing that I’m standing right here and this could have been under construction right now," Pugliese said. "In addition to my job, this is where I recreate, this is where I live. It really hits close to home.” Developing the property could have had "devastating" impacts, particularly for water quality, she said. Headwater streams and tributaries flow through the property to the French Broad River. A vernal pool at its northern edge plays host to a variety of wildlife, like salamanders and other rare species. The wedge-shaped property fronts about three-quarters of a mile along the French Broad River, Silverstein said. It was especially relevant for its habitat value, prominent viewshed and proximity to Richmond Hill Park. "Seeing hundreds of landslides as well as businesses and homes washed away in Hurricane Helene underscored the importance of protecting our floodplains and forested slopes to soak in and filter stormwater, protect important riparian species, and help reduce future flooding risk," Hartwell Carson, Clean Waters Director with MountainTrue, said in the release. Others noted the importance of large, forested areas in combating the urban heat-island effect, providing wildlife habitat and clean water. The tract is not open to the public. SAHC will assess damage to the land due to Helene, which will be addressed according to the property’s land management plan.
Future public park?
Parks and Recreation Spokesperson Christo Bubenik said March 20 that while the city has not yet spoken with SAHC, expanding offerings at the park or increasing its size are in line with its strategic goals. "However, land acquired by the conservancy is located in Woodfin town limits, so they would need to be brought into discussions. There are also other factors we need to consider including the land’s potential recreational use, impact on the environment, and if we have adequate staffing levels to properly take care of the space," he said via email. At Richmond Hill, he said partnerships with organizations like Pisgah Area SORBA and WNC Disc Golf Association have helped to expand the park's offerings. "It is a community asset in every sense of the word, so the community may have an impact on any action regarding the 83 acres recently acquired for permanent conservation by SAHC," he said. Richmond Hill Park remains closed after Helene. Several days with high winds have brought down large trees since the storm. Bubenik said they hope to share an update on reopening soon.
Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email [email protected] or message on Twitter at @slhonosky.
