In a move to shape the future of its Millennial Campus, UNC Asheville has appointed a new advisory committee. The 14-member group will guide development plans for properties that are currently at the center of environmental and community discussions.
Earlier this year, the university put a pause on negotiations concerning its Millennial Campus, including 45 acres of urban forest that many locals and students are advocating to preserve. The committee’s creation marks a significant step in assessing the campus’s development direction, with members being selected for their deep understanding of Asheville’s community, campus dynamics, and environmental considerations.
The committee features prominent figures such as Vic Isley, CEO of Explore Asheville; Nathan Ramsey, Executive Director of the Land of Sky Regional Council; former Asheville mayor Lou Bissette; and former state representative Chuck McGrady. Tasked with evaluating development options, the committee will provide recommendations but will not make binding decisions regarding property sales or developments.
“The purpose of the Committee is to evaluate options and develop recommendations,” a university spokesperson stated, emphasizing that no concrete decisions have been made. The group will be co-led by Peter Heckman, vice chair of the UNCA Board of Trustees, and Adam Walters from NC State University’s Pappas Real Estate Development Program.
Despite the committee’s formation, some community members, such as Chris Cotteta, president of the Five Points Neighborhood Association, have voiced concerns about the lack of representation from advocacy groups like Save the Woods. Cotteta remarked on the committee’s perceived lack of transparency, stating, “ I think it’s really difficult for the community to view the committee’s work as legitimate being that it’s conducted in, essentially, in secret.”
The advisory group will collaborate with HR&A Advisors to identify the university’s physical needs and regional stakeholder interests. Their work, conducted through the UNCA Endowment Fund Board, aims to ensure unbiased recommendations. Although meetings will be private due to sensitive discussions, the university promises to share meeting summaries and seek public input through alternative channels.
The committee’s monthly meetings will continue until May, culminating in an action plan developed by HR&A Advisors for university review. This process signals UNC Asheville’s commitment to balancing development with community and environmental considerations, even amidst ongoing debates.
