Ultimately, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 to stop construction of the downtown Crown Event Center and chose instead to renovate the existing Crown Theatre and Arena on Coliseum Drive. Commissioners Marshall Faircloth and Jeanette Council, who had previously voted in favor of the downtown site, changed their votes to align with the three new incoming commissioners: Chairman Kirk deViere, Pavan Patel, and Henry Tyson. The decision to halt the project can aptly be described as a "hot mess," encapsulating how chaotic and polarizing the situation had become. Emotions ran high, with opinions sharply divided, creating an atmosphere charged with tension and uncertainty.
Many downtown merchants are understandably disheartened as they face losing what they believe would be a golden opportunity for revitalization and growth in their businesses. They had high hopes that an economic boost would breathe new life into their storefronts, attracting more customers and fostering a vibrant shopping atmosphere. Some stakeholders expressed their disappointment, claiming the process had been flawed due to a lack of clear communication and community involvement in decision-making.
Was the proposed project financially prudent? Did it represent a viable solution aligned with Cumberland County's long-term interests? While we may not have definitive answers to these critical questions, they warrant careful consideration.
While there are still uncertainties, let's take a moment to explore a few key truths that we do understand. CSL International conducted a market and financial feasibility study for the proposed multi-purpose event center in Cumberland County. A report on this study was submitted on September 13, 2021, to Mr. Trent Merritt, the Regional Vice President of Spectra Venue Management, located at 150 Rouse Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA.
This document is available for review on the Cumberland County Crown Center website: https://www.crowncomplexnc.com/assets/doc/Cumberland-County-Multi-Purpose-Event-Center_Feasibility-Study_9.15.21-ebbe11b6af.pdf
Note potential project site rankings on page 115: "Overall, the Crown Complex site was the most preferred site with an average rank of 1.8. The next most preferred sites were Downtown Fayetteville (2.20), Fayetteville Outer Loop (2.5), and "Other" (3.0). "Other" site suggestions most commonly included were Fort Bragg, Grays Creek, Haymount, Hope Mills, and Spring Lake.
This community survey challenges the misconception that downtown Fayetteville was the most favored location. Certain influential stakeholders supported this site for reasons that remain unclear and garnered backing from specific media outlets. What is even more concerning is that many elected officials and other stakeholders were unaware of the feasibility report's existence.
Did Cumberland County miss a golden opportunity, or did it miss being bamboozled? We may never know, but we will have to become more informed citizens if we expect to have the best government. A three-member subcommittee of the Board of Commissioners made the primary decisions regarding the proposed Crown Event Site. In hindsight, this may have been a mistake, as it should have involved a broader discussion with the entire community. We will learn from our errors and ensure we do not repeat them.