RALEIGH, NC (July 22, 2025) — Today, the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal submitted a public comment to the UNC Board of Governors questioning UNC Asheville’s proposed stadium development on its millennial campus.
The proposal, which involves a 99-year lease of university land to the UNC Asheville endowment for just $1, would enable private developers to construct and operate a mixed-use commercial complex—including a 5,000-seat stadium, market-rate housing, and retail—on more than 50 acres of university property.
In its comment, the Martin Center criticized the project as an inappropriate use of public resources. “This plan does not advance the academic mission of the university in any meaningful way,” said Martin Center President Jenna A. Robinson. “Instead, it diverts public land to serve private interests—something that undermines public trust and may violate the spirit of the Umstead Act.”
The full comment is attached below.
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