The community is encouraged to attend a public hearing and sign up to speak in opposition to a request from the Town of Fuquay-Varina to transfer up to 6.17 million gallons per day of water from the Cape Fear River Basin to the Neuse River Basin on Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. in the FTCC Cumberland Hall Auditorium.
On Nov. 17, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to oppose the transfer based on cited concerns, including “impacts to the limited water supply in the Cape Fear River Basin, increased pollutant concentration and potential restrictions on future County growth tied to State regulations.”
At the meeting, commissioners emphasized the importance of opposing this transfer, which would significantly impact the Cape Fear River Basin and the communities that depend on it as their main source of safe and reliable drinking water. The transfer of moving water would reduce river flow, threaten water availability and potentially damage vital infrastructure.
If anyone wishes to speak at the public hearing, sign-in begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.deq.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/11/04/ncdeq-division-water-resources-hold-public-hearings-draft-environmental-impact-statement-fuquay.
City of Fayetteville
The Fayetteville City Council voted unanimously at their work session on Nov. 6 to request a state audit of six failed construction projects, some of which are under a separate criminal investigation by the District Attorney's office.
The projects include Fire Station No. 4, designed by the W.B. Brawley Company, and the Hay Street parking deck, previously handled by Prince Charles Holdings, Inc. The other four projects were contracted by Mohammad Mohammad and the Apex Contracting Group and include the Rosehill Road sidewalk, the Mable C. Smith Community Center, the Mazarick Park Tennis Center building and the new tennis courts at Mazarick Park. The criminal investigation is connected to those four projects.
The state audit, separate from the criminal investigation, is intended to provide an independent review and ensure transparency in the city's financial processes, particularly regarding the handling of millions of dollars in project funds.
In other news, council members approved an agreement (8-1 vote) at its regular scheduled meeting on Nov. 10 to complete the Stadium View Project with multi-family development residential units, hotel units, retail space and a long-awaited installation of elevators at 466 Hay Street downtown. The development is adjacent to Segra Stadium, home of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, and will be located above the current Hay Street parking deck.
The Stadium View Project began as Project Home Run back in 2016, but has since changed developers and is slated to begin construction in June 2026. Lansing Melbourne Group, operating locally as Fay Hay Master Venture, is anticipated to invest over $70 million to complete the space, according to city officials.
Joint 911 Call Center
The Fayetteville City Council and the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners both unanimously voted to merge 911 call services at a joint meeting on Thursday, Nov. 13, although the decision as to which agency would run the center is still up in the air.
The county proposed a joint board with three representatives from each the county and the city. The city, which now operates in City Hall downtown, would like to run the operation entirely. The costs are anticipated to be split evenly between the city and the county.
After much discussion, the decision ended in an impasse. The two governing bodies have attempted to combine 911 centers since 2007 and have been unable to agree due to “disagreements over governance and operational control,” according to officials.
The city and county managers have been directed to reconvene in January to “chart a path forward” for joint operations as they merge into the county’s current 911 center on Executive Place in Fayetteville.
National Civics Bee®
The National Civics Bee®, a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, will allow middle school students (6th, 7th and 8th grades) to participate for the first time in North Carolina this year, and Fayetteville, through the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, was chosen as a regional site. Applications for students are officially open. Students have until Feb. 3, 2026, to register.
For more information about the program, including educator resources and how to participate in the 2026 competition, visit www.faybiz.com/civicsbee.
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.