We’ve all heard the saying, “If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.” Unfortunately, it appears we have doubled down on the dig.
In 2013, during my tenure as chairman of the Cumberland County Commissioners, I presented a bold vision: a new Performing Arts Center to anchor and energize our downtown, a vision rooted in the 1996 Marvin Plan for downtown revitalization. Over the past three decades, additional studies by professionals have consistently supported the need for a large entertainment complex in our city center. This project had the potential to be transformational — the largest public investment ever made downtown. Yet here we are, once again watching politics derail a project that has broad support and proven economic potential.
How the Crown Event Center in downtown Fayetteville is funded
One of the most misunderstood aspects of the Crown Event Center is how it’s funded. The facility would be financed using restricted revenues from the Food & Beverage Tax and a portion of the Local Occupancy Tax. These funds cannot be used for public safety, infrastructure or social services. They are strictly designated for arts and entertainment projects and must be administered through the Crown Commission, which currently oversees the Crown Complex. Delays risk forfeiting access to these funds altogether, a long-term loss this community simply cannot afford.
Opinion Pitts: Let’s not mess around: Build the Crown Event Center in downtown Fayetteville…