Cumberland County’s Crown Event Center Committee voted April 20 to accept the project framework presented by the consultant for a new multipurpose event center.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Cumberland County’s Crown Event Center Committee voted April 20 to accept the project framework presented by the County’s consultant for the site selection, design, and construction of a new multipurpose event center to replace the Crown Theatre and Arena.
With the theatre and arena anticipated to close in November 2025, Spectra Venue Management, the company that manages the Crown Complex for Cumberland County, hired Conventions, Sports and Leisure International in January 2020 to conduct a feasibility study related to replacing the two facilities. The consultant studied the regional market, similar facilities and communities and gathered feedback from public input forums, interviews with key stakeholders and an online public survey.
The research showed that stakeholders and the public desire a sustainable venue that brings top events and provides space for community users. The study’s recommendation is to build an 89,000-square-foot multi-purpose venue with a maximum capacity of 2,500 people. The estimated cost, in 2021 dollars, would be $75-$80 million and does not include the purchase of a site.
Crown Event Center Committee Chairwoman, Cumberland County Commissioner Jeannette Council, met with Commissioners Jimmy Keefe and Glenn Adams, along with the rest of the Committee and Project Delivery Team to listen to the consulting firm, MBP, outline the proposed framework for the project schedule, committee structure, site selection process and a recommendation for the next steps.
The project schedule outlined general timelines for site selection, land procurement, as well as design, construction and moving into the new building.
During the meeting, commissioners expressed interest in making sure the project is completed by the October 2025 deadline, obtaining an updated cost estimate for the project, and ensuring the public has sufficient input into project development.
The next step is for the Board of Commissioners to discuss the committee structure and outlining authority levels, finalizing the guiding principles, site selection and developing a design and creating a construction request for quotes (RFQ) during the May 2 regular meeting. This meeting will be at 9 a.m. in Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Courthouse located 117 Dick Street in Fayetteville.
Meetings are also live streamed on CCNC-TV though the County’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov, YouTube Channel and on Spectrum Channel 5. You will find meeting agendas, minutes and links to the videos under the Board of Commissioners tab on the website. They are also rebroadcast on the same platforms.