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Government Watch: Cumberland County, City of Fayetteville updates
- Details
- Tuesday, 10 June 2025
- Written by Jami McLaughlin
Cumberland County
On June 4, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 to discontinue the downtown Crown Event Center and terminate all contracts associated with the project. The board moved to have staff draft a Request for Quotation to renovate and modernize the existing Crown Arena and Theater at 1960 Coliseum Drive.
“This decision was not made lightly,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere. “But it reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparent governance, and practical solutions that serve the long-term interests of our residents.”The proposed 3000-seat Crown Event Center had been approved by the board to be built downtown in 2022. Construction started shortly after a groundbreaking ceremony was held in October 2024. It was budgeted at $144.5 million and scheduled to open Spring 2027.
However, in March, the board voted to suspend all work on the facility for 30 days to review and investigate the scope, schedule, and budget for the project. The status assessment of the project included an “additional architect’s fee” of $1.9 million from EwingCole, which had been flagged for concern, according to the board.
In the last few weeks, the board worked through hours of meetings to go over research including a 1000 page investigative report from attorney J. Scott Flowers of Hutchens Law Firm in Fayetteville who had served as neutral counsel and other reports including a Crown Theater Modernization and New Facility Comparison, a Multi-Purpose Event Center Parking Assessment, an Evaluation to Modernize the Crown Arena and more. These reports can be found on the Cumberland County website.
At the meeting on June 4, County Manager Clarence Grier said that the new price for the Crown Event Center would be $152 million, which was an increase of $7.7 million from its original estimated cost of $144 million. The timeline had also changed its opening from April 2027 to February 2028.
Grier also presented the board with Guaranteed Maximum Price3, the third and final cost estimate provided by the contractor, which the board ultimately rejected.
The board ultimately determined that the estimated cost of the Crown Event Center was too high and that looking at the renovation of the current 4,500-seat Crown Arena at $71.9 million and the 2,400-seat Crown Theater, which varied from $24.7 million (just for renovation) to $118 million depending on modernization and expansion would be more prudent for the community. The total costs for both facilities ranged from $96.5 million to $192.2 million.
Commissioners voting to discontinue the downtown Crown Event Center Project and terminate all contracts, reject the GMP3 amendment and direct the County Manager to develop an RFQ for development framework for the renovation of the Crown Arena and Theater within 30 days and bring it back to the board, included Chair Kirk deViere and Commissioners Jeannette Council, Pavan Patel, Henry Tyson and Marshall Faircloth. Voting to continue the project with the increased price tag were Commissioner Glenn Adams and Vice Chair Veronica Jones.
Adams, deViere and Tyson have businesses in downtown Fayetteville and the entire board voiced continued support for the downtown revitalization.
City of Fayetteville
Roberto E. Bryan, Jr., has been named the next chief of the Fayetteville Police Department. Bryan, a 30-year law-enforcement veteran and current Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief of Police at Fayetteville State University, will assume command on July 7. Bryan succeeds Chief Kemberle Braden, who retired after nearly three decades of service to the City of Fayetteville.
Residents are invited to attend a community conversation for site development at Blount and Gillespie Streets on Wednesday, June 11 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the J.S. Spivey Recreation Center at 500 Fisher Street. This effort is part of a broader initiative to ensure that land development strategies align with community needs, economic opportunity, and long-term impact. During the meeting, attendees will receive background on the ongoing site study, learn about the planning process, and can weigh in on what they would like to see developed.
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 Cumberland County Commissioners held a meeting, June 4, to decide the fate of the downtown Crown Event Center. Photo courtesy of Jami McLaughlin)
