The city of Fayetteville is purchasing a warehouse at 128 King St. off Person Street (formerly the Rock Shop) for conversion to a homeless day center. The design contract was awarded to Raleigh-based architectural firm IBI Group which designed Oak City Cares, the Raleigh day center that’s being used as a model for Fayetteville's day center. The building is a 12,800-square-foot warehouse that was built in 2006. $4 million has been provided by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s disaster recovery program. The money will be used to purchase the property, construction, design and equipment. Windows will be installed in the front of the building.
The center will also function as an emergency shelter when needed. Chris Cauley, the city's director of economic and community development said preliminary plans for the day center include shower and laundry facilities, a large community room for people to use computers and charge their devices, plus a warming kitchen and offices.