Cumberland County
The Crown Event Center has remained a major topic for the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. After a two-day closed session, Chairman Kirk deViere announced that the suspension of the project has been lifted, allowing contractors to resume work without any restrictions.
The Board of Commissioners voted on March 5 to suspend all work on the new 3,000-seat Crown Event Center, approved in 2022, for 30 days to review and investigate the scope, schedule, and budget for the project. Currently, it is budgeted at $144.5 million and is scheduled to open in Spring 2027.
Attorney J. Scott Flowers of Hutchens Law Firm in Fayetteville served as neutral counsel and provided an assessment of the status of the project, including an “additional architect’s fee” of $1.9 million from EwingCole, which had been flagged for concern according to the board.
On April 8, Chairman deViere updated the public that Flowers submitted an over 1000-page investigative report, and it was under review by County Commissioners during their closed sessions.
“Yesterday, the Board directed County Attorney Rick Moorefield to notify the contractors of the lifting of the suspension on the Crown Event Center,” said deViere. “The Board took action under its contractual obligations; our staff informed the Crown Event Center Project Team of this action and requested an update on the current status of the project. There are no restrictions on the contractors performing their work.”
He also shared that the County had received an architectural analysis of the project’s scope and budget from another third-party architect.
Currently, the county has $35 million invested in the Crown Event Center to include architectural design, site work and preliminary planning according to deViere.
The Cumberland County Ignite Internship program also introduced its Spring Cohort with ten new interns for a ten-week internship in departments ranging from human resources and community development to ITS and solid waste management.
The Ignite Internship Program gives high school and college students real-world skills, professional mentorship and an inside look at public service operations in a professional government environment. Job opportunities are open spring and fall.
On April 11, Assistant County Manager Faith Phillips and Local and State History Manager Joseph Westendorf presented the selection process for a mural to be installed at the Headquarters Library. The mural, funded by a $25,599.56 America 250 NC Grant, will celebrate Cumberland County's history, including the Liberty Point Resolves and key Revolutionary War events. Seven artists submitted proposals, and the highest-scoring design was submitted by artist Max Dowdle. The mural will be installed on the southwest side of the library by June 2026.

City of Fayetteville
On April 7, the Fayetteville City Council discussed a College Lake Dam redesign and proposed solutions for Carvers Creek Watershed at their regularly scheduled work session. The College Lake Dam experienced damage from Hurricane Florence in 2018 and a conceptual spillway configuration for the dam was developed to meet the NC Dam Safety requirements. The Carvers Creek Watershed Study identified 18 proposed solutions, including pipe upsizing.
The second item presented to the council was a Stormwater Impervious Area Analysis and Tiered Rate Study. The study evaluated the current utility rate structure and developed recommendations for a fair and equitable tiered rate structure that would generate sufficient revenue to support program goals and mimic a rate structure that is comparable to other municipal storm sewer systems. The primary difference noted in the benchmarking is that Fayetteville has a flat rate for residential rate payers vs. various tiered rates for peer communities such as Durham, Raleigh, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Columbia, South Carolina. The consensus from the board was to move to a budget work session to determine the best tier structure and add an educational component.

In other news
Cape Fear Regional Theatre celebrated a historic expansion and renovation of the facility at 1209 Hay Street dubbed “Act 2.” The capital project will increase capacity from 20,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet and expand youth educational offerings with two studios for programming. Other features of the renovated theater include a new lobby with a mezzanine for private events and a rooftop event space with a bar and second stage for live music. It is expected to reopen in winter 2026. Currently, Cape Fear Regional Theatre is performing on an alternate stage at 1707 Owen Drive in Fayetteville.

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.

(Photo: Cape Fear Regional Theatre's ground breaking ceremony involved throwing confetti in the air with shovels, April 7. The theatre is currently operating at an alternate stage at 1707 Owen Drive, with plans to reopen on Hay St. in 2026. Photo courtesy of Cape Fear Regional Theatre)