Over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, Fayetteville received $40.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding from the federal government. In the years since, the city has primarily invested the funding in three areas: business and economic vitality; housing and community livability; and infrastructure and community investment.
On Oct. 9, the Fayetteville Police Accountability Community Taskforce (PACT), a local nonprofit focusing on police accountability and social justice issues, honored the Fayetteville City Council for its “outstanding use” of ARPA funds. Taskforce group members presented an honorary letter at the Oct. 9 City Council meeting but said they will also present the council with a formal award at a later date.
Two major projects in the city’s ARPA portfolio have been completed so far and 12 more are expected to be completed by June 2024. In addition, 14 projects are scheduled for completion in fiscal year 2025 and 12 projects are scheduled for completion in fiscal year 2026.
The ARPA projects planned so far range from affordable housing projects to public safety initiatives:
- Commercial corridor improvement grant program: $930,000.
- Covid small business assistance grant program: $2 million.
- Workforce development programs: $1 million.
- Housing trust fund for affordable housing projects: $4 million. The City Council approved projects to move forward in August that will likely take several years to complete.
- Homeless Day Resource Center: $1.6 million; completed.
- Mazarick Park Tennis Center: $5.5 million; active, with expected completion in fiscal year 2025.
- Playground repairs/refurbishing: $795,000; active, with expected completion in fiscal year 2024.
- Community center: $1 million; in contracting process.
- Violence interrupter program, PROOVE Project: $399,000; active.
- Phoenix Center contract for sexual assault victim support: $150,000, contracting.
- Gunshot detection technology $197,000; active.
- Public safety initiatives: $3.8 million; active, expected completion in fiscal 2025.
- Citywide security access control: $796,000; active, expected completion in fiscal 2025.
- Dam safety/preservation project: $320,000; active.
- Bridge preservation program: $352,000; active, expected completion in fiscal 2024.
- Ramsey Street pump station replacement: $250,000; active, expected completion in fiscal 2025.
- Homeless and urban camping impact reduction program: $265,000; ongoing.
- Picnic shelter replacements: $250,000; active, with expected completion in fiscal 2024.
- Public building maintenance: $1.9 million; active, with expected completion in fiscal 2025.
- ADA compliance project for city infrastructure: $525,000; active.
- Blanton Road extension design: $500,000; active, expected completion in fiscal 2025.
- Parking lot resurfacing: $390,000; active, expected completion in fiscal 2024.
- Multiuse lanes: $90,000; active, expected completion in fiscal 2024.
The award presentation comes after Fayetteville PACT produced a documentary film, released on March 29, that called for the funds to go to residents of Fayetteville “who are suffering the most,” according to the film’s IMDb page. The documentary was produced independently.
Jackie Elliot, a member of Fayetteville PACT, read the letter from Kathy Gregges, the charity’s executive director, to City Council members at last week’s meeting.
“The city of Fayetteville’s stewardship of ARPA funds has made a significant impact on our community while addressing the critical needs of our residents,” Elliot said.
“We continue to navigate through challenging times,” she added, “and it is refreshing to know that our local government cares enough to listen.”
Mayor Mitch Colvin thanked Fayetteville PACT members for honoring the council’s efforts.
“It’s a community effort, and thank you for your part that you play in the community,” Colvin said. “Ms. Greggs and others, you are very adamant about making sure that we are accountable and transparent — we thank you for that as well.”
Elliot, reading from the letter, said the PACT’s goals had “almost been met,” noting that the group is still seeking funding for an LGBTQ+ center, which would cost about $5 million.
Local governments must have allocated ARPA funds by the end of 2024 and disbursed the funds by the end of 2026, according to federal guidelines. To see a detailed breakdown of the city’s ARPA funds, click here. Across North Carolina, ARPA authorized the disbursement of more than $8 billion in state and local recovery funds. At the local level, elected officials are responsible for determining how funds are spent within their municipality.
Evey Weisblat can be reached at eweisblat@cityviewnc.com.
