Chimney Rock park for sale ??????? (Lake Lure, Ruth: real estate, houses, buy)

[kpfmaus]

I am not sure if this topic was already discussed in this forum, but I read yesterday in a magazine that Chimney Rock Park was for sale, something like 55 thousand acres for 55 million dollars? How can that be, I thought all those wonderful parks are owned by the state? Could just any developer swoop in buy it and destroy it all and built houses ? I hope not, does anybody know anything if it is protected form somethng like that or not?

[mm34b]

Chimney Rock Park has always been privately owned as are Grandfather Mountain and the Biltmore Estate.

A thread from last July.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/north...ock-park.html?

http://www.savechimneyrock.net/

[Rjesarver]

Unfortunatly, it is true. The park is for sale. From what I have learned, it is being sold by a very reputable real estate firm who are suppose to be very good at "selling it to the right people". The folks who have owned Chimmney Rock since 1902 are also talking with the state parks. You can try to contact Enviornmental North Carolina. That is to be my next stop actually. I am planning on contacting them about this via their website. Hopefully the state will step in and protect one of our natural wonders.

Joanne

[YorkshireLass]

Hi all,

Since we're talking about my "area" I wanted to post a response. Some of us Rutherford County residents are extremely worried that a developer will "snap" the park up. The State did make an offer early on that was rejected by the family. There are some that think the State may take some of the park by the power of eminent domain if a developer makes an "acceptable" offer. I've been told that there are also some "deed restrictions" in place that will preserve the park once conveyance is made.

[kpfmaus]

Oh boy, I hope it will stay what it is now. It would be a sad outcome if suddenly houses instead of trees would rise. I hope the state can do something. And Rjesarver I will try to contact Environmental NC as well and see how normal people that don't have millions to offer can be pro active.

[kpfmaus]

Also, one more question, I guess I have not done too much reading on this park, but how can such a big piece of land still be owned by one family privately? Is this still form a hundred years back?

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by kpfmaus

Oh boy, I hope it will stay what it is now. It would be a sad outcome if suddenly houses instead of trees would rise. I hope the state can do something. And Rjesarver I will try to contact Environmental NC as well and see how normal people that don't have millions to offer can be pro active.

There's already a citzen's group established with suggestions on what you can do to help.

www.savechimneyrock.net

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by kpfmaus

Also, one more question, I guess I have not done too much reading on this park, but how can such a big piece of land still be owned by one family privately? Is this still form a hundred years back?

Sure, just passed down from generation to generation.

[kpfmaus]

Wow, I wished they would have just gone for the offer from the state, I don't like gridy people.

[YorkshireLass]

I agree with you, greed is a terrible thing. But, on the other hand, if you owned property in such a highly sought after area what would you do? I believe the State offered something around 30 million (I may be off on the figure). Having grown up in Rutherford County (and currently living here) I remember when you couldn't "give land away" in Lake Lure. A lot of people built homes in that area before Dirty Dancing, Last of the Mohicans and finally HGTV introduced it to the world.