As another piece of public space might be named after a private organization, Ashevillians are again set to debate exactly who gets to name what in our changing city
Above: a rendering of the area in front of the Asheville Art Museum, which might be renamed “SECU plaza” in return for $1.5 million from the credit union’s charitable foundation.
We’ve been here before.
While controversy’s since faded into memory, in late 2011 Asheville City Council faced a barrage of criticism when it voted 6-1 to rename the Asheville Civic Center the U.S. Cellular Center in exchange for funds to help with the aging facility’s renovation.
This evening, Council will again consider renaming a swath of public space, with the State Employees Credit Union’s charitable foundation offering $1.5 million towards the museum’s renovation for naming rights for 30-years (including a sign in the area). While the SECU foundation, as the charitable arm of a credit union, doesn’t attract quite the same ire as a major corporation like U.S. Cellular, the move does come in the middle of a larger controversy over an overhaul at Pack Place and how the city deals with public space as the city increasingly gentrifies.
Already former Mayor Ken Michalove, who’s repeatedly criticized the city’s actions on Pack Place, has sent a statement to media criticizing this move as part of a “boondoggle” and “an attempt to avoid public discussion.” Criticism isn’t confined to those with a history of disagreeing with city and museum’s management. Throughout the weekend, local social media saw Ashevillians express concerns, including worries about privatization of public space and a lack of open discussion about the move before it hit Council’s chambers, especially as the land is on a major piece of public space like Pack Square, where previous disputes over the uses of public space have involved protests and even court battles.
City staff have endorsed the move, however, noting that the city, without much controversy, granted the nonprofit overseeing the Pack Square Park renovation naming rights over smaller features and that the funds will help renovate the museum (the city owns the building while the museum leases it). The letter from Art Museum Director Pam Myers to city staff about the proposal notes that the museum’s been “working closely with the SECU foundation since 2013 to secure support,” asserts that the funding is essential to completing the renovations and that “naming opportunities are key to most public and private capital campaigns.”
In each case, the critics’ assertions are similar: public space shouldn’t be named after (or sold to) a private entity, these deals are often kept out of the public eye until the last minute and there are better ways to get cash.
On the other side, the argument more or less boils down to “we need money and this isn’t a bad way to do it.” From this view, Asheville’s government, nonprofits and civic entities are strapped for cash and faced with aging infrastructure and facilities. To accomplish major goals like repairing the civic center or renovating the art museum, renaming a building or a swath of land is a small price to pay and besides, it’s become an increasingly common practice around the country.
Those are the arguments, at least. While “public-private partnerships” are invoked often by city officials as a general way to move Asheville forward, this is a notable way they actually play out on the ground, not always to everyone’s comfort. The latest chapter in that story starts with Council’s meeting tonight. If you want to weigh in, the meeting is at 5 p.m. on the second floor of City Hall.
—
The Asheville Blade is entirely funded by its readers. If you like our work, donate directly to us on Patreon. Questions? Comments? Email us.