As a lifelong resident of Cumberland County, I want to set the record straight: The groundbreaking for the downtown Fayetteville Crown Event Center did not take place under the current Board of County Commissioners.
Instead, it was orchestrated by the outgoing commissioners just before the election—an apparent attempt to push the project forward so that the newly elected board would find it too late and too costly to reconsider. This tactic mirrors what Fayetteville city officials did with the Parks and Recreation bond projects, which, during my 3 terms (7 years) on the City-County Parks Commission, I saw result in excessive and unnecessary spending.
The previous Board of Commissioners’ decision to break ground was expensive, but the newly elected board—comprised of newcomers Henry Tyson, Pavan Patel, and Chairman Kirk deViere—deserved time to fully assess the project and explore practical alternatives that better serve Cumberland County residents.
Importantly, the funding for the Event Center comes from a hotel tax paid by visitors, not from county taxpayers. I support redevelopment efforts that avoid property tax increases, ensuring that investments are both fiscally responsible and beneficial to the community.
As a preservationist, I have great memories of the events held in the historic Cumberland County Memorial Auditorium and Civic Arena. Rather than spending an estimated $175–$200 million on a new downtown facility & expensive parking garage, why not restore and repurpose these existing structures?
Doing so could free up tens of millions of dollars to build a much-needed aquatic center and a high-quality conference center with a first-class hotel—on prime land with ample space and parking. Pursuing these alternatives now could save the county $100 million or more while still enhancing our community.
I believe the public would support such a plan once they see that the new Board of Commissioners is prioritizing their best interests by thoroughly examining all options. The most important consideration should be ensuring that Cumberland County taxpayers are not burdened with excessive costs.

— Darden Jenkins
Fayetteville, NC

(Above: An artist's rendering of the proposed new Crown Event Center in Downtown Fayetteville (courtesy image)