ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — During Tuesday night’s Asheville City Council meeting, officials addressed plans for a potential entertainment and arts facility on a 2.43-acre lot located between Marjorie and Eagle Street.

The council approved a two-year hold on the lot, which is currently used for city parking. This hold allows time for community input and stops any other development on the property.

“Everything is still up in the air. So, what we’re doing is getting that community feedback,” said the city’s communications specialist, Kim Miller.

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Public feedback was front and center during Tuesday night’s meeting, as residents expressed concern over preserving the cultural and historical significance of Eagle Street.

“My concern is that they’re going to erase a part of Black Asheville that is just historically substantial. For not only the survival and the thriving of Black Ashevillians, but any one period,” said Michael Hayes, executive director of Umoja Health Wellness and Justice Collective.

MARCH 24, 2026 – Public feedback was front and center during Tuesday night’s Asheville City Council meeting, as residents expressed concern over preserving the cultural and historical significance of Eagle Street. (Credit: Asheville City Council)

“A lot of things were changing in this city as I grew up here, so I witnessed a lot of changes here. I witnessed a lot of Black families be displaced because of the effects and long-term effects of urban renewal,” said Nina Ireland, a local hairstylist.

Despite opposition, both Hayes and Ireland were thankful no final decision was made.

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“Our proposal was to hold the land. Let us gather our people together. Let us gather those organizations that can be beneficial and having a voice on what should be there,” Hayes said.

However, they would like the facility to ultimately be moved to a different location.

The City of Asheville will have control over the site for the next two years. If a facility is ultimately approved, the city said it would include parking.