Jami McLaughlin’s comprehensive report and recap of the June 4 meeting of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners confirm their decisive 5-2 vote to discontinue the proposed downtown Crown Event Center project. Instead, the Board will proceed with the modernization of the existing Crown Theater and Arena. McLaughlin, Director of Government Relations and Military Affairs for the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and author of the "Government Watch" section in Up & Coming Weekly newspaper, provides an accurate and factual account, directing readers to the sources and facts that ultimately led to the Board's decision.
Her detailed reporting is crucial for residents seeking accurate information amidst a deluge of inaccurate content posted on Facebook and local social media. We strongly encourage residents to view the June 4 meeting at www.cumberlandcountync.gov or on YouTube before posting or sharing a social media opinion about their decision.
The June 4 meeting unequivocally affirmed Chairman Kirk deViere’s integrity, patience, and resolve in leading the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and looking out for the interests of all county residents. Chairman deViere demonstrated exemplary and respectful statesmanship, maintaining calm and decorum throughout a highly intense and sometimes rude and disrespectful discussion.
Equally commendable were the presentations by Commissioners Henry Tyson and Pavan Patel, who took the time and made the effort to do personal inspections of the Theater and Arena and cross-referenced their findings with the architects' reports.
Commissioner Tyson's presentation was particularly compelling, presenting evidence that indicated grossly inflated renovation cost estimates for the existing properties, which were suspect and appeared designed to render it financially unfeasible. It cannot be definitively determined whether the advocates of the downtown Crown Event Center intentionally manipulated these figures, however, the commitment of Chairman deViere and Commissioners Patel and Tyson to safeguard Cumberland County assets and resources and direct them to improve the quality of life for all Cumberland County citizens—a core tenet of their political campaigns—remains clear.
All three were initial supporters of the downtown Event Center project; however, upon assuming responsibility for the proposed $145 million endeavor, they prioritized and initiated a thorough vetting process for the sole purpose of ensuring judicious expenditure of taxpayer dollars and addressing emerging concerns.
This action led to a pause in construction as significant "red flags" began to materialize. Concerns about parking, escalating construction costs, accusations of "side deals," and potential conflicts of interest relating to county contracts negotiated and approved with sitting commissioners. These were questions and concerns that needed to be addressed with comprehensive answers. They were, and consequently led the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners to vote 5-2 against moving forward with the downtown Crown Event Center project. It was determined that the way the project was structured it would have primarily benefited a select few, but it was not in the best interest of the county’s 335,000 residents.
I applaud the Board of Commissioners for their hard work. It is this caliber of intelligent, honest, and dedicated leadership that will provide the vision necessary to propel our community forward into a prosperous 21st Century and elevate Cumberland County beyond its Tier One status. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly newspaper.
—Bill Bowman, Publisher

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.
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.
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.
Read the rest on page 7.

(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)