Asheville, North Carolina, July 30, 2025
News Summary
The UNC System’s Board of Governors has approved a controversial development plan for a 54-acre site at UNC Asheville, which includes apartments, retail spaces, and a soccer stadium. The project will take 99 years with a lease price of $1 per year, generating potential revenue for the university while local residents voice concerns over environmental impacts. The development aims to meet off-campus housing demands and support regional economic growth, despite pushback from advocacy groups concerned about greenspace loss.
Asheville, North Carolina: UNC Asheville Secures Approval for Controversial 54-Acre Development Including Soccer Stadium
The University of North Carolina System’s Board of Governors has approved a major development plan involving a 54-acre site at UNC Asheville, which includes apartments, retail space, and a soccer stadium. The lease agreement allows the university’s endowment fund to utilize the land for just $1 per year over the course of 99 years, enabling the institution to engage a developer for the project.
The developer will take charge of the entire process, which encompasses financing, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the project. As part of the agreement, the endowment fund is set to receive rents starting at $1.69 million in 2030 and escalating to $4.69 million by 2075. Chancellor Kimberly van Noort noted that this initiative would not lead to any debt or out-of-pocket costs for UNC Asheville, instead promising potential cash inflow for the university.
Despite its anticipated benefits, the project faces significant pushback from local residents who express concern over environmental issues, particularly the loss of trees and greenspace. Local advocacy group “Save the Woods” has raised alarms about the forest area, citing its importance for community health and environmental sustainability.
UNC Asheville officials argue that this development is necessary to address the increasing demand for off-campus housing for students, stressing that it will bolster regional economic development and reinforce university-community bonds. The entire project is expected to require a total investment of $204.1 million, with the stadium alone estimated to cost around $59 million. The plan includes a partnership with a local amateur soccer club to construct a 5,000-seat stadium, which will also serve the university’s soccer team.
In addition to stadium construction, approximately $29 million in public grants will be sought to support the stadium’s development. The project is anticipated to unfold in two phases, with construction starting with the soccer stadium followed by the housing and retail spaces. The completion of the stadium is projected for the end of 2028, while the housing phase is expected to be operational by spring 2029.
Some members of the Board of Governors have expressed reservations regarding the project, emphasizing the need to address community concerns and the potential impacts this development may have on local property values and environmental sciences education. Board member Swadesh Chatterjee opposed the project, citing stagnant enrollment and questioning its effectiveness in attracting new students. Others, like board member Sonja Phillips Nichols, have called for tighter oversight to ensure that community fears are adequately addressed.
The development plan echoes similar millennial campus initiatives previously undertaken by other universities, such as NC State, aiming to cater to modern educational and housing needs. For the fiscal year 2025-26, UNC Asheville has an all-funds budget of $109.8 million, illustrating the university’s financial capacity to support these substantial developments.
Key Features of the Project
- Location: 54 acres at UNC Asheville
- Lease Duration: 99 years at $1 per year
- Expected Total Investment: $204.1 million
- Soccer Stadium Cost: Approximately $59 million
- Rent Increases: Starting at $1.69 million in 2030, £ increasing to $4.69 million by 2075
- Funding for Stadium: $29 million in public grants
- Completion Dates: Stadium by end of 2028, housing by spring 2029
- Community Concerns: Environmental impact, property values
FAQs
What will be developed on the 54-acre site at UNC Asheville?
The site will include apartments, retail spaces, and a new soccer stadium.
How much will the lease for the land cost?
The lease will cost $1 per year for a duration of 99 years.
What is the expected completion date for the soccer stadium?
The soccer stadium is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.
What are the community concerns regarding the project?
Concerns include environmental impacts, loss of greenspace, and potential effects on local property values.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 54 acres at UNC Asheville |
| Lease Cost | $1 per year |
| Investment | $204.1 million |
| Stadium Cost | $59 million |
| Rent Increase | Starts at $1.69 million in 2030, increases to $4.69 million by 2075 |
| Funding | $29 million required for stadium construction |
| Completion Timeline | Stadium by end of 2028, housing by spring 2029 |
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4: UNC Asheville Plans for New Stadium, Housing, Retail Space
- Business North Carolina: UNC System Bog Boosts Asheville Soccer Stadium Project
- NC Newsline: UNC Board of Governors OKs Plans for Asheville Stadium
- The Center Square: UNC Asheville Stadium Plan Advances
- Wikipedia: University of North Carolina at Asheville
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