The owner of a Hendersonville restaurant is crediting a public outcry for saving his eating establishment from demolition to make room for road improvements.
Helge Gresser, owner of Haus Heidelberg, said he found out over the weekend that his restaurant would not have to move.
North Carolina Department of Transportation has had modernization projects planned for south Hendersonville over the past few years. One of those would wipe out Haus Heidelberg.
During an interview in November, Gresser said the NCDOT only wanted 1 foot of his land but needed a 75-foot construction easement, which would mean razing the restaurant.
When Gresser found out about NCDOT's plans, he went to social media to inform the community. But what he didn't realize was that the community was rallying behind him, urging NCDOT officials to allow Gresser to keep his restaurant.
"Apparently, hundreds of people called DOT complaining and writing in support of this restaurant," Gresser said. "Sometime last week, my lawyer called me and said there's a lot of support for your restaurant and DOT decided to change the plans."
News 13 is attempting to learn more about the NCDOT changes, but in the meantime, Haus Heidelberg will remain open.
STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSCommunity saves Haus Heidelberg, NCDOT revises road plans amid public outcry | WLOS
