Cumberland County
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners hosted a press conference following a closed session on April 14 to update on the Crown Event Center.
The board requested the project team present an updated timeline and associated costs for the final construction package. They also had received an update on the project’s financing plan, including how the financial model is designed to accommodate anticipated cost increases.
The Commissioners also instructed staff to contract with Raleigh-based Davis Kane Architects to develop cost estimates for renovating and modernizing the existing Crown Theatre and Arena. The goal is to evaluate how those facilities might be updated to offer similar programmatic features as the planned Crown Event Center according to county officials. The last estimate for a rehabilitation of the facilities was from 2015.
The board had previously voted on March 5 to suspend all work on the 3,000-seat Crown Event Center, approved in 2022, for 30 days in order to review and investigate the scope, schedule and budget for the project. It was budgeted at $144.5 million and scheduled to open Spring 2027.
On April 7, after the suspension of the project was lifted, Chairman Kirk deViere announced contractors would be allowed to resume work without any restrictions. Attorney J. Scott Flowers of Hutchens Law Firm in Fayetteville served as neutral counsel and provided an assessment of the status of the project, including an “additional architect’s fee” of $1.9 million from EwingCole, which had been flagged for concern according to the board.
On April 8, Chairman deViere updated the public that Flowers submitted an over 1000-page investigative report and it was under review by County Commissioners during their closed sessions, which took place over a week.
Crown Event Center updates continue to be ongoing and can be viewed at www.cumberlandcountync.gov/crowneventcenter. New costs and construction updates are estimated to be available in 30 to 60 days.

In other Cumberland County news
On April 21, the board approved a request from the Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation for an easement to install a transmission line on the property of New Century Middle School and replaced 26 Sheriff’s Office vehicles that had been declared total losses by the County’s insurance provider. County staff told the board that the insurance proceeds would help offset the estimated cost of $2,260,738.74. The board approved the vehicle replacements and associated budget amendment with a total cost not to exceed $2,252,243.76 or $86,624.36 per vehicle. The board also approved a construction contract for constructing wells in the Gray’s Creek area in the amount of $660,000
In other news, Chairman deViere will deliver a State of the County Address on April 29 at 6 p.m. in the Cumberland County Historic Courthouse on Gillespie Street. deViere will provide an update on the County’s progress, current updates and future vision. It will be livestreamed on the County website www.cumberlandcountync.gov.

City of Fayetteville
On April 14, the Fayetteville City Council approved the Fayetteville City Council Strategic Planning Retreat Debrief, which identified accomplishments and included updating priorities for the new fiscal year.
Accomplishments from City staff included lowest crime rates in a decade and new community programs including a mental health resource center. The council also looked at collaborating more with others and infrastructure opportunities such as a future I-685 route through Cumberland County.
The five council strategic priorities include:
• Enhancing economic growth throughout the City
• Committing to an on-going, comprehensive approach to community safety
• Continuing the City’s commitment to revitalization efforts and housing needs
• Increasing Parks and Recreation opportunities for youth engagement and interaction
• Evaluating and expanding transportation and other connectivity for residents
The board also approved the renaming of Woodrow Park to Haymount Park at Woodrow.
In other City news, Fayetteville Outfront, a series of town hall question-and-answer sessions led by Assistant City Managers Kelly Strickland and Jeff Yates will take place on Tuesday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kiwanis Recreation Center. Staff will be ready to discuss stormwater fixes and community safety among other topics.
The City of Fayetteville also plans to make repairs to the historic Market House in downtown Fayetteville, replacing deteriorated woodwork, including the louvers, windows, trim and wooden columns and repainting the clock tower. The work will be done by American Woodworkery, which specializes in historic preservation, and will take approximately five months to complete. According to City officials, the two-story brick Market House, built in 1832, is a National Historic Landmark and one of North Carolina’s most photographed civic buildings.
Joint City of Fayetteville — Cumberland County Liaison Committee
On Apr. 21, the Board of Commissioners met with the Fayetteville City Council in a Joint City of Fayetteville - Cumberland County Liaison Committee meeting. The committee received updates related to public transportation from the Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Fayetteville Area System of Transit. The committee also discussed the closure of the Salvation Army of the Sandhills Region shelter. The next meeting will be held on May 19 and will focus on childcare.

About the Greater Fayetteville Chamber
Advocacy is a cornerstone of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Every week, the Chamber dedicates staff to attend City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County meetings as well as monitoring updates on the state and federal levels. We monitor legislation locally, statewide and federally to protect our community’s business interests. With 91% of U.S. adults recognizing a Chamber of Commerce's impact on growth, membership ensures a strong voice shaping policies, driving economic success, and building a thriving business community—together. To learn more, visit www.faybiz.com or email jmclaughlin@faybiz.com.

(Photo: The proposed Crown Event Center in downtown Fayetteville is shown here in an artist's rendering from EwingCole)