While most of us are pretty darn upset with what is occurring with Arrowmont, rightfully so, solid information is scarce. In reading the last few newspaper articles and the attached comments from people all over, however, we’ve noted some compelling points that we (well, a few of us) think should be brought into the discussion. Gatlinburg doesn’t seem to want them, and even if the resort monstrosity carved out their section and left Arrowmont in place, the haven that people seek there would no longer exist anyway. A move to a new place, possibly in a different, quieter Smoky Mountain town, may be just what is needed for their survival. These are comment excerpts from various sites; some were too rude to include here, however. What do you think? We’ll be posting comments here as they appear (or are found) elsewhere.
“Can you blame them for wanting to abandon that low class, polluting, right wing crap hole that feeds off of and destroys its host organism, the Smokies. I say take the millions from the developer guy and let him go into debt, sit on the money and build in Townsend. It has at least five more years before it morphs.”
Posted by SmokiesHiker on August 22, 2008 at 8:30 p.m.
“in response to the question of where are the pi phi’s…? i have been in contact with several within the organization who are outraged at this potential sale; they are putting as much pressure on the grand council as they can. plenty of pi phi’s have signed the petition to save arrowmont.
the other concern, however, is the probability that the developer will at the very least gain access to the surrounding land; this could prove disastrous as well for the school- it being essentially choked out from all sides by some new flashy attraction.
this is a difficult position, no doubt, for arrowmont and the pi phi’s fighting it from the inside. the situation was not handled properly, yet it may prove that a relocation for arrowmont could be the best for their secured future.”
Posted by cdc13 on August 22, 2008 at 10:55 p.m.
Please do not take Arrowmont to Townsend. The school children of Sevier County need it too much. Art reach has made such an incredible positive impact on so many of the kids in our county.
Also as far as moving Arrowmont goes I fear the downtime that is involved in rebuilding. Although I do see the issues of trying to survive in downtown as it gets worse and worse.
this was posted on the petition by an arrowmont employee who signed for a lady who came into the school looking for a way to be heard.
Pat came into Arrowmont after a newspaper article alarmed her about the proposed land sale that the school sits on. She was a very sweet lady and just wanted to sign a petition. She explained she does not have a computer so she was at a loss as to what she could do that might discourage the sale. I offered to go on line and put her name on the petition. All I thought of was how many people are in her same position and cannot voice their opinion. Maybe someone needs a written petition for the locals to sign along with the ipetition. Sunday’s paper just about did me in. I am so sick of even thinking about it. I just want it to go away. Yes, Arrowmont could move on into the future somewhere else. I can even except that more now, but its the idea of what is to come. Why are we going to let this happen. SAVE ARROWMONT, SAVE THE LAND, SAVE GATLINBURG, SAVE THE GREAT SMOKY MTNS. This is for Pat and all the others out there….
also, on a different note…how generous is “up to $9 million” out of 50 times that amount? for a century-old establishment started by the pi phi’s? doesn’t sound generous enough to me at all.
When you have an excellent thing of which you can be proud, why on earth can’t you leave it alone? Are you so strapped for funds? I would never have visited Gatlinburg had it not been for Arrowmont and without the school I will, in all probability, never visit again. Of course a developer would love to get his hands on such a splendid piece of real estate but must the whole city be nothing but hotels and trinket shops?
I believe that except for Arrowmont, Gatlinburg is an example of the worst that America has to offer.
What a waste of money to have to rebuild the magnificent workshops, library and other facilities that already exsist so some developer can speculate on making more money. I belive the the town of Gatlinburg will be the poorer ifthis sale takes place.
Hannah M Voss, artist/enamelist.
It seems that the developer has scads of cash and will be buying their way into Gatlinburg and the City Fathers are welcoming this devastation.
It also appears that with the buildings on the National Historic registry the use if the redevelopmentof the land could be tied up for years. Unless some tragic disaster occured to those buildings.
I have seen too many developers just forget about the regulations, rules etc and pay the minimum fine and bulldoze areas.
Gatlinburg and Sevier County lack the forsight to protect any property. I say the Tennessee State Legislature needs to vote in (an emergency measure if need be) a zoning restriction and protective measures for this property.
Be proactive and avoid a situation like NC had with Sugar Mountain development.
I too am ENRAGED at the possiblity of losing Arrowmont. I know I will fight this with any means at my disposal, and so will many more locally and statewide. I do have to disagree with Ms. Voss on one point however, I moved to Gatlinburg many years ago for things just like Arrowmont, the National Park, and so forth. I cannot accept that Gatlinburg is “an example of the worst that America has to offer.” We may be misguided (like the decision to allow the artisans to be pushed into the wastelands of Glades rather than supported and nurished under the wings of downtown) we may be a bit greedy, but if there isn’t anything worth saving, why bother? Gatlinburg is a promise, a hope, a dream of many. Certainly we need some work, but there is the chance for Gatlinburg to become another Maggie Valley, not Myrtle Beach.
Gatlinburg better wake up and fast.
It is time to preserve the history and what is left of the essence and heart of this town before is gone.
This kind of mega development belongs in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville – both towns who no longer have any of their original mountain charm and are both a conglomerate of strip malls, outlet stores, chain restaurants, entertainment complexes and way too much traffic.
It is sad to see an institution sold out that has been supported by many for so long – just for the all mighty dollar – sickening.
Keep building the way you are here and eventually no one will come.
One of the most valuable assets of natural beauty and biodiversity in the world is right at your doorstep and one by one the gateway cities all falling into a state of irreversible tackiness, over development, ecological and socially irresponsible urban sprawl.
Thank the greedy developers and local politicians whose short sighted thinking got us into this mess.
Who now will get us out?
Christopher Hibbard
Owner and President
YourSmokies.com – YourSmokiesNews.com
Mr. Hibbard,
Are you support Arrowmont or advertising the cheap overnight cabins that have contributed to the ruin of the mountains?
Does anyone know what will happen to the Ogle cabin?
Carl,
My prime interest is in protecting the Smoky Mountains, both culturally and ecologically.
I had contacted Save Arrowmont outside of this post offering my professional help.
My news web site accepts no advertising and I have been on a self funded 3 year scientific and cultural exploration and documentation of the Smokies identifying areas in most urgent need of preservation and protection.
I created a business in the area to fund my charitable work and which also allowed me to relocate here.
Feel free to read my news web site YourSmokiesNews.com and see what I support editorially as well as my information site YourSmokies.com which heavily sponsors the park as well as other local charities. Last years contributions were more than 40% of our net profit.
By the way Carl, I strongly appose all new high density commercial, residential and rental construction. There is more than enough developed land already in the gateway towns. More building will only drive down values of existing land and strain the already burdened water tables, roadways and infrastructures.
Excellent site savearrowmont.wordpress.com and I am really pleased to see you have what I am actually looking for here: this .. as it’s taken me literally 2 hours and 34 minutes of searching the web to find you (just kidding!) so I shall be pleased to become a regular visitor :)