12-05-2025
Mars Hill to meet with 3 developers for new restaurant mixed-use space downtown
MARS HILL - A new restaurant is coming to downtown Mars Hill, as the town will take applications for the mixed-use project this month.
Town Manager Nathan Bennett said the town will meet this month with three potential developers for the mixed-use project at 9 and 15 S. Main St., the former Robinson Building, located at the corner of Mountain View Road and South Main Street, next to the down gazebo.
Town Manager Nathan Bennett reported to the Mars Hill Town Board in its May 5 meeting.
Bennett said in September the overall concept plan of the site is a mixed-use development, with plans for a restaurant on the first floor, with multiple residential or professional offices on the upper or lower floors.
According to the town manager, at least five developers had inquired about the South Main Street mixed-use development project.
According to Bennett, construction has begun on the new bathrooms at Bailey Mountain Preserve and Park.
In November 2023, the town board voted unanimously to enter into a contract agreement with T.P. Howard's Plumbing for the project.
The scope of work for the project was to provide ADA-accessible hard sidewalks near the Smith Farm part of the property, as well as picnic areas, parking and driveway improvements, and also providing walkways to be used for an amphitheater.
Funding sources for the project include an N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant award for $268,536 for park renovations at Bailey Mountain Preserve and Park, which the town received in fall 2021.
In November 2023, Bennett recommended the town use local funds, including $321,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, supplemented by the more than $286,000 in state grant funding.
"Put that together with $268,536 from the state, and that would be $590,000," Bennett said. "That would be enough to do the permitted contract and the funds that were set aside are estimated to do the house renovations and the restroom renovations. That would be a complete project."
In his report to the board, Bennett said the town submitted a $500,000 Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant, a portion of the funds needed to purchase the 75-acre West Farm.
The town is working with local groups, including the Richard L. Hoffman Foundation, to purchase the 75-acre tract to be included in the Bailey Mountain Preserve property.
Bennett applauded the work of Lee Hoffman, the Richard L. Hoffman Foundation executive director, as well as Ryan Bell, chair of the Friends of the Bailey Mountain advocacy group.
According to the town manager, the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund recipients will be announced in August.
In January, the town put up $120,000 to secure the two-year option to purchase the tract — named after the West family who owns the land — which sits adjacent to the Bailey Mountain Preserve's Smith Farm property off Forest Street.
More: Mars Hill renames main trail at Bailey Mountain Preserve in honor of Richard L. Hoffman
More: New restaurant coming to downtown Mars Hill? Town approves requests for proposals process
More: Mars Hill approves Bailey Mountain improvements, Main Street gazebo walkway replacement
More: Mars Hill raising funds to protect Bailey Mountain Preserve against development
Additionally, the town was approved for $85,000 in reimbursement for FEMA public assistance program.
Bennett said the town's reimbursement will be transferred to the North Carolina Emergency Management division, which will then contact the town for the grant paperwork to be disbursed.
Johnny Casey is the Madison County communities reporter for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or jcasey@
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Mars Hill to meet with 3 developers for new restaurant mixed-use space
