Cumberland County leaders consider new ideas for vacant lot across from courthouse

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — Cumberland County leaders could soon take the next step in reshaping a controversial downtown Fayetteville property once slated for a major public project.

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The Fayetteville-Cumberland County Economic Development Foundation is expected to present new ideas on Monday night for the vacant lot across from the Cumberland County Courthouse, the same site where county leaders once planned to build the $145 million Crown Performing Arts Event Center.

County commissioners scrapped those plans last year after more than $30 million had already been spent on site preparation and materials for the proposed venue.

Now, county leaders are exploring whether private developers may be interested in transforming the property into a mixed-use development that could include a hotel, convention space, retail and parking.

A portion of the lot is currently used as temporary parking for the courthouse. 

According to Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere, the county is looking for a project that could help grow downtown Fayetteville while reducing the financial burden on taxpayers.

“Hopefully, [the project will] increase the tax base and bring a private partner to the table, so there is not just public dollars going into a space in downtown Fayetteville,” deViere said.

The county’s economic development team revisited a previous downtown study that focused on convention and hotel space in Fayetteville’s urban core.

Officials are now expected to present updated concepts and possible development opportunities to commissioners during Monday night’s meeting.

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The discussion comes just one week after Mitch Colvin pushed the Fayetteville City Council to pursue a separate downtown convention center study.

deViere said he understands the mayor’s interest in growing the city’s downtown footprint.

“The mayor and I had a conversation about it before he brought that forward to the council,” deViere said. “I understand his passion and he wants to see downtown Fayetteville grow.”

According to county leaders, several possibilities remain on the table for the site.

“Everything from retail to convention to hotel — there are a lot of different options they can bring back,” deViere said.

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. on Monday and can be streamed on the Cumberland County, NC Government YouTube channel.

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