On October 25, 2024, Cumberland County broke ground on the new Crown Event Center, which will be located in front of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse. The center is scheduled to open in Spring 2027.
This required the closure of the parking lot in front of the Courthouse. While there are paid parking options available in the area, the County has also made accommodations to provide free parking as an alternative to the parking lot that was closed. The County wants to make sure the public is aware of these parking opportunities as some lots around the Courthouse are not free.
The primary free parking area for Courthouse visitors is located behind the First Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville. It can be accessed from the 200 block of Person Street. This lot is available for both County and Courthouse employees, as well as the public conducting business at the Courthouse on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
ADA accessible parking will continue to be available directly behind the Courthouse, and the drop-off lane will remain available for use in front of the Courthouse. Visitors using the Person Street lot can access the Courthouse using the front entrance. However, the most direct and accessible entry point will be located behind the Courthouse near the ATM.
The County advises visitors that the parking lots adjacent to the Historic Courthouse at 130 Gillespie Street and Veterans Services at 301 E. Russell St. are reserved for employees and visitors of those facilities. Using these lots for Courthouse parking will limit access for those needing to use these services. The County has also designated the County-owned gravel lots at 334 Person Street and 125 S. Kennedy St. for public use at no cost.
For additional parking options in the downtown area, the City of Fayetteville offers a detailed map on their website: http://www.fayettevillenc.gov/our-city/community/getting-around/downtown-parking
Future Parking Deck
The County is under contract for the design of a new parking deck to be constructed directly behind the Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center. This deck will provide sufficient long-term parking for various County facilities in the area, making up for any displaced parking and accommodating future growth. The parking deck is expected to be complete in 2026, prior to the opening of the Crown Event Center.