Fayetteville, NC — The long-anticipated Crown Event Center planned for downtown Fayetteville has officially been canceled. In a 5–2 vote on Wednesday, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners t
erminated all contracts related to the multimillion-dollar project. Instead, the County will redirect efforts and funding toward renovating the existing Crown Theatre and Arena on Coliseum Drive.
According to County Manager Clarence Grier, nearly $40 million had already been spent on the now-abandoned downtown initiati
ve. The original plans called for a 3,000-seat facility priced at $145 million, along with a $33 million, 1,100-space parking deck. The event center was projected to open in spring 2027, with the parking deck scheduled for completion in 2026. Both projects have now been fully scrapped.
Commissioners Glenn Adams and Vice Chair Veronica Jones cast the only votes to continue the downtown project. Those voting to cancel included Chair Kirk deViere, Jeannette Council, Pavan Patel, Henry Tyson, and Marshall Faircloth.
The decision comes at a pivotal moment for downtown Fayetteville. The Cool Spring Downtown District has experienced a cultural resurgence in recent years
with new murals, sculptures, and festivals energizing the area. Many local artists and business owners had hoped the Crown Event Center would become a marquee destination that showcased regional talent and attracted additional tourism.
Instead, the Co
unty will now move forward with a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) within the next 30 days to begin planning renovations to the existing Crown Theatre and Arena. The arena, which originally opened in 1967, and the Crown Ballroom, added in 1997, are expected to undergo substantial upgrades.
Public feedback on the decision has been mixed. Some residents support the shift in focus toward improving existing infrastructure, while others argue the County abandoned a tran
sformative project too soon.
The full press release and Board
of Commissioners meeting documents can be found at
cumberlandcountync.gov. Meetings are also available on the County’s YouTube Channel and CCNCTV Spectrum Channel 5.
Kres Thomas, FayToday News
