Three months ago, we began an initiative to bring back the bus stop that was destroyed last year by a drunk driver. There was no money forthcoming from the City of Asheville, so if we wanted it back, we had to do it ourselves, raise the needed money on our own. Success depended on how important and meaningful the bus stop with its Montford history board was to our neighborhood.
I can now announce that we have succeeded! Montford came through! The bus stop will be back; plans are being made for the reconstruction.
I can also announce that the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County has given the Bus Shelter Initiative a grant for $2,000 — and we are so grateful for their seeing the good in this project and being so generous. That brings our total collections to $17,128. This also includes a contribution by the Montford Neighborhood Association of $2,200 on top of what was collected for this campaign — and I’m sure I’m speaking for the neighborhood when I say thank you so much for that, MNA!
By far, the greatest chunk of the money raised came from Montford residents, who told me time and time again that the bus stop was such a wonderful addition to our neighborhood. There were also donations and fund raising events from Montford based businesses — Chiesa, Hyatt (Montford Rooftop Bar), Little Jumbo, Mantis Gardens, Montford Family Law, Nine Mile, The Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic, and The Montford Corner Store — as well as businesses outside of Montford, namely, Groce Funeral Home and Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack. A huge thank you to all who donated.
And a super big thank you as well to the volunteers who delivered flyers to Montford porches to get the message out: Rachel Stein, Bob Thompson, Trudy Galynker, Cherie Morris, Liz Kenemer, Vic Fahrer, Jenny Wilker, Mary White, Millie Farmer, David Bailey, and Alice Weldon.
A final gigantic thank you goes to the designers of the bus stop — Michael McDonough, Sharon Fahrer, and Ross Terry — to its constructor Tina Councell (Iron Maiden Studios), and to the Montford Neighborhood Association for welcoming this project with open arms and facilitating it at every turn.
I will keep you informed about the schedule of the rebuilding. Final details are being worked out with the city, with insurance issues, and then with the constructor’s schedule. Stay tuned.
WE DID IT!!!
Lewis Rothlein