"Asheville's de facto motto was: 'That will never work here - don't even try.'"

Where have I heard that one before?

Asheville Just 'Happened' to Develop a Nice Downtown—Or Did It?, by James Fallows (The Atlantic)

In the immortal words from Liberty Valance, "when the legend becomes fact, print the legend." Herewith the legend and reality of Asheville.

... Now the expected further shoe has dropped, with readers from Asheville writing in to say: We drifted our way into success? Hah! Some "drift!"

Here is a sample, from J. Patrick Whalen, who has lived in Asheville since the mid-1970s. I'm quoting him at length because the issues he mentions connect the stories we've heard in every corner of the country. I'm also including some of the photos Mr. Whalen sent, of Asheville before-and-after its recent renaissance.

Today's reading for CM Blair: "Wal-Mart: An economic cancer on our cities."

You can lead a banker to information, but you can't always make him read. Let's hope this is an exception. Scott: When you're finished, can you pass on this link to David Duggins? I think he needs to read it, too. Thanks.

Wal-Mart: An economic cancer on our cities, by Charles Montgomery (Salon)

In Asheville, N.C., a dense downtown generated jobs and tax revenue and restored the city's soul

Excerpted from "Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design”

Most of us agree that development that provides employment and tax revenue is good for cities. Some even argue that the need for jobs outweighs aesthetic, lifestyle, or climate concerns—in fact, this argument comes up any time Walmart proposes a new megastore near a small town. But a clear-eyed look at the spatial economics of land, jobs, and tax regimes should cause anyone to reject the anything-and-anywhere-goes development model. To explain, let me offer the story of an obsessive number cruncher who found his own urban laboratory quite by chance.

Beer, bicycles and economic development in Asheville, NC.

Here's another one to utterly baffle the troglodytes: A city that recognizes the value of mountain biking and craft beer in the context of economic development. But don't listen to me; slop down another Bud and hop in the car for a fifteen-yard commute to the foot of your driveway to collect your junk mail.

Are bikes the next beer for Asheville economy?, by Dale Neal (Asheville Citizen-Times)

... Local companies like Cane Creek Cycling Components and Industry Nine have refined the mountain bike with their innovations in suspension forks and rear-end suspension coils, headsets and fancy wheels, making it possible for riders to tackle ever-more ambitious terrain. Bikes and beer go together as those thirsty riders often celebrate the end of the ride with a local brew back in Beer City USA.

Many can remember in Asheville when a fancy beer was maybe a Molson’s from Canada, long before Highland Brewery founder Oscar Wong heard of hops or Joe Eckert began experimenting with craft brews at the Green Man Brewery.

Now Asheville is home to a dozen microbreweries, employing a number of folks and drawing thousands of thirsty tourists downtown each year ...