Riverside Rehab

A Beautiful Industrial Rehab!


Image by melystu
Now, the W. H. Mull Bldg., Metropolitan Sewerage District Headquarters (MSD), Buncombe Co., NC..

The following from the MSD internet site.
&quotThe Elk Mountain Steam Plant was built (c. 1900) on the banks of the French Broad River by Captain W.T. Weaver, who also built the Craggy Dam and Marshall Hydroelectric Plants to supply electric energy throughout the Asheville area. In the early 1960s Burlington Mills bought the plant in conjunction with its close by mill and mill village and utilised the plant for some minor manufacturing and storage till the early 1990′s. Regrettably, in 1980 the unique smokestack was demolished. The house was purchased from Burlington Mills by a group of investors who converted the vacant mill into a mixed use commercial center named Riverside Company Park [now up coming door]. The Park, which is nevertheless in operation, consists of a series of shops and companies. The Steam Plant, which was found on the mill property, was not component of the Park conversion.In the mid 1990′s,

Ben Slosman, a regional leader, true estate developer, member of the Metropolitan Sewerage District Board and an advocate for cost-effective developing reclamation, brought to the board the vision of getting and renovating the vacant Steam Plant for use as its centralized offices. At that time, the MSD was operating out of 5 distinct locations spread throughout the region. Mr. Slosman argued that the plant was in a central location, was an critical aspect of nearby background, and could accommodate the requirements of the MSD offices. The Board agreed with Mr. Slosman’s vision and bought the plant and some adjacent home in 1996 for five,000. The rehabilitation and retrofit took almost two years and was devoted in honor of lengthy-time executive director, William H. Mull. Mr. Slosman, who passed away in 2000, in no way saw his dream by means of to completion. The project has been widely hailed as a achievement, producing a much more efficient operation of the MSD. Its retention saved an essential piece of the area’s constructed surroundings and has provided a 1st class facility and unique functioning surroundings that is significantly appreciated by the two employees and guests who come to transact organization.&quot
(And, I may possibly add, place residents who are free to appreciate the grounds!)

The structure sits proper on the bank of the French Broad River. The grounds are accessible there is a significant parking lot and several picnic tables near the water. On weekends, when the District offices are closed, it’s a wonderful spot to picnic and appreciate the river.