Cumberland County leaders broke ground Friday on the new Cumberland County Crown Event Center.
“This is not only is it great for arts and culture and entertainment, but it’s also an economic driver, an image enhancer, and it will benefit our community in so many ways,” said Cumberland County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe.
With the ceremonial turning of the soil, the community reflected on its past as it moved forward. The new, 134,000-square-foot facility at 117 Dick St. in Fayetteville will replace the old event center along Highway 301, which was originally built in the 1970s.
“Fayetteville was a small town back then. We are a thriving and growing city right now,” said Fayetteville City Council Member Kathy Jensen. “We a beautiful downtown. It is the living room for our city. And so this is just the perfect place and perfect spot for it.”
The facility, set to open in spring 2027, will accommodate about 3,000 guests and will feature a rooftop terrace along with cutting-edge performance spaces.
“This allows us to be more flexible and offer something unique that other performing arts centers can’t, making us more competitive in the industry,” Jimmy said.
The project also includes a new parking deck, scheduled for completion in 2026, just ahead of the Crown Event Center’s grand opening.