In his search for land to build his scientific research and learning center, Cline came across the Rosman station, which was taken over by the Department of Defense in 1980 when the country’s space program ended. He said he tried to get the president of the University of North Carolina system to acquire the site, but was told funding was not a solid option.
Individuals can’t buy land from the government, but they can trade land for land, he said. Cline found three parcels of private land the Forest Service was leasing, including one with 7,000 feet of frontage on the French Broad River, where a developer was planning to build condos. Cline bought the pricey land and worked with Congress to trade it to the Forest Service, forever protecting the land along the river, and in turn setting up PARI.