Thread by @DavidForbes

So @CityofAsheville just canceled public meetings about an unpopular land swap they'd planned to do with Duke Energy. Would destroy one of the last dense patches of trees in downtown and one of the last parking lots locals can easily access... #avlgov #avlnews

Wide backlash to project in recent weeks, from locals and some biz owners. Sizable city hall parking lot is right next to the current substation and could easily be used to expand it, but that would mean #avlgov bureaucrats would lose their special job perk parking spots #avlnews

There's also the role that Asheville city government's rubber-stamping of rampant hotel growth has played in straining downtown's infrastructure. When #avlgov says "critical to power reliability" they mean "we must feed the hotels" #avlnews

Unknown if scrapping the public meetings means Asheville city gov is backing off this substation plan or just trying to avoid a public confrontation that would go poorly for them. #avlgov #avlnews

Addendums: Asheville city government is ridiculously cozy with the coal ash barons over at duke energy, and have repeatedly let them basically dictate #avlgov environmental and energy policy.

Asheville's rapidly losing its tree canopy, especially in areas like downtown #avlnews

Here's an image of the site. You can clearly see two parking lots (both owned by Asheville city hall) flanking the current substation. The trees and public parking lot #avlgov and duke energy want to demolish are across the street. #avlnews