Former NASA facility in western NC on the market for $30 million

The western NC facility played a key part in NASA sending astronauts to the moon, but you can own it for a bundle.

The educational nonprofit that owns a former NASA satellite tracking facility near Rosman has released more information about the future of the site amid a $30 million real estate listing for the facility.

In an update on its website, the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, or PARI, addressed the fact the property had been listed for sale in August but said the facility will remain “fully staffed and open for visitors, STEM education and outreach programming.”

“While the listing describes what a full sale of the facility would entail, the option to purchase or lease only a portion of the site is also available,” the statement read.

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The facility opened in 1963 in the Pisgah National Forest and was said to be the “eyes and ears” for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as the federal agency made strides toward launching astronauts to the moon, according to a Oct. 20, 1963, edition of the Asheville Citizen. Rosman was selected for its remote location and lack of radiological interference.

The facility was sold by the federal government in 1998 for $2.4 million to Don and Jo Cline, who reopened the site as PARI. Since it was established, PARI has offered courses on astronomy, allowed research institutions to use telescopes and radio arrays, and provided opportunities to view and learn about rare astronomical events, like the 2017 total solar eclipse that passed over Western North Carolina. It was listed for sale at $30 million in August, but the listing does not preclude partial sale or leasing of the property, the nonprofit announced on social media Oct. 16.

“The site has served many purposes in the past, from a NASA ground station, to Department of Defense facility, to its current role as a center for learning and research. Of the three, the site has been owned by the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute since 1998, making our STEM mission the longest the site has ever served.  The decision to offer some or all of the property for sale was made to help give PARI the flexibility and resources to continue this mission for decades to come,” the statement posted to the nonprofits website said. PARI did not respond to Citizen Times request for comment Nov. 4.

 

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In October, Enrique Gomez, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Western Carolina University, noted the site is still one of the premier facilities for radio telescopes given its location in a valley.

“I would like, if at all possible, for there to be some kind of arrangement with whoever purchases it to retain the telescopes,” Gomez told the Citizen Times Oct. 16. According to PARI, a potential sale would not impact the nonprofit and the organization is “confident” that the preservation is the “top priority” for those who would have to approve the sale, which includes PARI’s Board of Directors and the North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson.

Under North Carolina law, the state’s attorney general must approve any major merger or transfer of assets, such as the complete sale of PARI. However, some property has already been sold by the nonprofit this year, according to the Transylvania County Register of Deeds, with the nonprofit deeding roughly 10 acres of the property to McCall’s Grading & Construction in August.

The property has been listed by NAI Piedmont Triad, a Greensboro-based real estate agency. The listing notes the facility comes with two NASA-built radio dishes, two radio telescopes, two radio arrays and an 8-meter transient array. In total, PARI comes with more than 25 optical telescopes. The listing notes possible buyers of the “scientific landmark” could use the facility for AI research, space communications, science education or quantum computing.

“This potential sale will not affect the existence of the 501(c)(3) organization of the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI).  PARI will continue to offer STEM education, outreach, and research opportunities to learners of all ages.  PARI’s museum collections, artifacts, archives, learning resources, and exhibits will continue to be available to the public. Though our physical footprint may change, we will still be providing the engaging and exciting experiences you’ve grown to expect from us,” PARI’s website reads.

Upcoming PARI events

Though the PARI property is listed for sale, the nonprofit is still hosting events like overnight stays on the property and educational classes at the facility, according to the nonprofit’s website. For more information, visit pari.edu/calendar.

Reporting by Will Hofmann, Asheville Citizen Times / Asheville Citizen Times

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