A periphery slope.

• Position: Western - Asheville, North Carolina - Brief article

The southern part of Asheville's central business district is experiencing a rebirth as startups and expanding businesses seek affordable property close to the city's more-expensive downtown. At least nine projects, a mix of residential and commercial, have been proposed or are in the works for the neighborhood, known as South Slope and full of run-down warehouses, former car dealerships and vacant lots. "It's downtown yet affordable," says Mike Rangel, owner of Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., which opened a location in South Slope in 2006. He debuted an event venue there in May.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

"If you are asking me today, I can't see there being a golf course."

--Greenville, S.C.-based Cliffs Land Partners LLC CEO Brett Johnston on the chances of his company building a golf course at High Carolina, a 1,000-home planned community in Buncombe County. The development received...