When conversations turn to what’s happening in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, the topic du jour centers around the proposed $145 million Event Center project percolating since 2014. Fast forward eleven years, and one of the most prolific questions that still needs to be addressed is not whether we need or want the 3,000-seat complex, but rather: Where should it be located?
It’s a topic that stimulates some very interesting and sometimes controversial conversations. Currently, at least at this writing, no decision has been made since the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners is still waiting to review some revised cost estimates and perhaps options that may be more conducive and beneficial to Cumberland County taxpayers.
This is my opinion, because after attending and listening to Board Chairman Kirk deViere, it currently sounds more in line with the board's commitment to prioritize the needs of the entire county and be fiscally responsible to the residents who have placed their trust in them. deViere’s message at the April 29th State of Cumberland County presentation resonated enthusiastically with the audience and throughout Cumberland’s nine municipalities. This commitment was demonstrated in real-time weeks prior when the three newly elected commissioners, local businessman Pavan Patel, commercial real estate professional Henry Tyson, and entrepreneur and former North Carolina Senator Kirk deViere, led the charge to pause the costly event center project. They wanted to vet the process just to be assured that they were moving the project forward in the spirit that was in the best interest of all the resident taxpayers.
This decision that was rightfully applauded by many vocal and concerned Up & Coming Weekly newspaper readers, who are still reeling in frustration, anger and dissatisfaction over the City of Fayetteville’s lack of responsibility when they issued three major construction contracts for the Mabel Smith community center, sidewalks on Rosehill Rd. and the $11.5 M Tennis Center at Mazarick Park to Muhammad Muhammad’s Construction Company, LLC or later known as Apex Contracting Group who received payment from the City then walked off all three projects without completing any of them.
Unfortunately, it gets worse: The two required surety bonding companies that are supposed to protect the customer and ensure the construction projects are completed were BOTH owned by the same contractor, Muhammad Muhammad.
To the dismay and frustration of many Fayetteville residents, no one from the City of Fayetteville, the Mayor, City Manager, City Attorney, or the Director of the Fayetteville Parks & Rec has taken responsibility for such a careless act or has been transparent as to what actions are being taken against Mohammad Mohammad. It’s irresponsible and unexplainable activities like this that have the new Cumberland County Board of Commissioners wanting to make sure everything is in order before they move forward with the project.
deViere’s State of the County Address confirmed and reiterated their commitment to this kind of competency and transparency in their governance. We applaud this active and aggressive style of positive leadership. It resonates with confidence with county residents and builds consensus on the major priorities and concerns facing Cumberland County's future.
Dr. Jeannette Council, whose homegrown wisdom has graced the board for over twenty-five years, and Commissioner Veronica Jones, unanimously voted in as Vice Chair 5 months ago, along with newcomers Pavan Patel and Henry Tyson, all sat smiling attentively and nodding in agreement as the new board chairman listed the emphasized issues and priorities that would lift Cumberland County making it more livable and prosperous for us now and for future generations.
Priorities addressed were: Clean water as a fundamental right; education, as in investing in teachers and new state-of-the-art schools; public safety by providing proper law enforcement resources and equipment, and pursuing a unified 911 Communications Center; health and wellness; economic vitality, with a focus on roads, highways, and infrastructure, the development of small businesses, and housing accessibility.
deViere’s strongest and most endearing topic was the need for community collaboration, and rightfully so. Community collaboration and engagement are essential for achieving long-term goals that impact quality of life. Governments do not, and cannot, build livable communities on their own. They need community partnerships with local elected officials, beginning with transparent communications and trust.
Cumberland County residents are experiencing a more involved, professional, transparent, and empathetic leadership team, injecting intelligence, common sense, and ethical business savvy into the management of Cumberland County. They are in with the new and out with the old ways of thinking and acting on important county issues.
While it was encouraging to see the courtroom full of enthusiastic residents, organizations, businesses, and county employees at the State of the County Address, the conspicuous absence of former chairman Commissioner Glenn Adams and Commissioner Marshall Faircloth cast a shadowy hint of stubborn resistance to the new board’s style of open citizen engagement, transparent government operations, and free and frequent communications with the Cumberland County community.
Yes, I liked this board's tone of optimism and the reaching out for the unity of all parties. deViere’s message was clear and succinct: by community involvement and working together on the priorities they have set, “making the right decisions, for the right reasons” will come naturally, adding to the success of obtaining a strong and bright future for Cumberland County.
The fate of the $145M downtown event center, and where it will eventually be built, will be decided after the proper vetting of the project has been completed. One thing you can count on with this new board of commissioners, whatever is decided, they will own it!
Stay tuned and thank you for reading the Up & Coming Weekly newspaper.

(Photo: Kirk deViere speaks during the State of Cumberland County address on April 30, 2025. Photo courtesy of Cumberland County NC Government Facebook page)