News

Ask Matt ... about Kellogg Center, 'Green River,' rental store

By Matt Matteson, Published: September 27, 2015

Matt Matteson, the Lightning's intrepid research, answers readers' questions.

Q. What is the status of the Kellogg property on Broyles Road?

We reported on this shortly after the Kellogg Center was closed in September of 2013. Unfortunately, nothing has changed except that the owner, UNC-Asheville, has a new chancellor. Dr. Mary Grant did visit the property this summer but that’s all we know. College officials said that the use of the Kellogg property will be considered as part of the university’s strategic planning process which will take place in the fall and early spring. The 55-acre tract was once the summer residence of Kathryn A. Kellogg, who first gifted the property to Wake Forest University in 1969. After the property was passed on to UNC-Asheville, a small conference center was built on the site and used frequently by education and local government.

Q. Creedence Clearwater Revival did a song about Green River. Is that about our Green River?

Great song, wrong river. That creek is in California and it wasn’t even the Green River. John Fogerty, band leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival wrote the song about the river he swam in as a kid. It was actually Putah Creek near Sacramento. According to web postings, John’s brother, Tom, who played rhythm guitar in the band, revealed the whole story on the name. It seems that the song title came from old timey soda fountain syrup — the kind you pour over shaved ice. Tom’s favorite was lime flavored and called Green River. The song was released in 1969 and fell just short of hitting number one in the USA. John, who still tours, will release his memoirs in October in a book titled Fortunate Son John Fogerty.

Q. What is going up on the property behind BB&T bank on Dana Road that can be seen from MLK Jr. Boulevard?

That is a 1,200 sq. ft. metal building for Affordable Equipment Rental. The building fronts on the dead end portion of Tracy Grove Road. Plans call for additional land filling that will allow for an access drive to connect the site to U.S. 64, but at this time such access has not been approved by DOT. Affordable Equipment Rental sells and services Husqvarna chain saws, mowers and other power equipment. They also rent construction equipment as large as track hoes. The company plans to move out of the smaller building they now lease on Spartanburg Highway and into the new building in mid-December.

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Send questions to askmattm@gmail.com.