Good morning. The City of Fayetteville is wrapping up the first phase of renovations to the Market House this week.
This phase focused on restoring the structure of the nearly 200-year-old historic landmark, which sits in the middle of a roundabout in downtown Fayetteville. The building and its imagery have long been associated with the city. In recent years, local residents have called attention to the building’s dark history as a site where enslaved people were once sold, and have called for it to be torn down.
The Market House repurposing project, which began in 2021 and was drafted from public feedback, includes upgraded signage, pedestrian islands and crosswalks, as well as interactive kiosks featuring historical information about the building. The upgrades are critical to the Black Voices Museum and Centers for Equity, which will sit a few hundred feet away from the landmark. Read more in our lead story.
Welcome to CityView Today. Cumberland County commissioners voted unanimously yesterday to offer a $363,550 grant to SteelFab Inc., a steel fabrication company, to persuade it to bring 42 jobs to Fayetteville. “Project Superman,” as it’s being called, is a $22 million plant expansion that would add to SteelFab’s operation on Country Club Drive near Murchison Road. The grant is in addition to another approved by the city in September — together totaling over $690,000. Plus, bilingual columnist Claudia Zamora shares her thoughts on connecting over a cup of coffee as she invites families to a children’s Bilingual Storytime at the Spring Lake Community Library on Saturday. Read her latest piece, available in English and Spanish below.
Thanks for reading,
Maydha Devarajan
Editor-in-Chief
With most structural repairs complete, Fayetteville’s Market House enters its second phase of renovations
The City of Fayetteville’s Market House repurposing project enters a new phase of its renovations as it wraps structure restoration and moves to install new LED lights.
More from CityView
Cumberland commissioners offer $363,550 grant for steel plant expansion
Fayetteville is competing with Virginia and South Carolina for 42 jobs with $22 million SteelFab Inc. project.
Column: The art of listening over coffee and building community
“There is something almost sacred about the pause for coffee. It’s not just a hot drink or a daily routine. It’s a small ritual of connection.”
Columna: Cafecito, comunidad y el arte de escucharnos
“Hay algo casi sagrado en la pausa del cafecito. No es solamente una bebida caliente ni una costumbre cotidiana. Es un pequeño ritual de encuentro.”
Events
CULTIVATE AND CONNECT: GARDENING WORKSHOP
- Where: Main Library, 455 McKinney Parkway, Lillington
- When: Noon-1 p.m. today
- What: Learn from an expert master gardener from the N.C. Cooperative Extension as they share their wealth of knowledge on various gardening topics.
ARTIST CIRCLE SESSION: DIGITAL ART
- Where: Arts Council Galleries at Campbell House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines
- When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. today
- What: Learn how to create art using a digital drawing app!
BACKWOODS TERROR RANCH
- Where: Sweet Valley Ranch, 2990 Sunnyside School Road, Fayetteville
- When: 7:30-11 p.m. today
- What: Backwoods Terror Ranch returns this fall at Sweet Valley Ranch!
Obituaries
Claude James Farrington III
Claude James Farrington III, 77, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 2.
Irving Ray Drake
Reverend Irving Ray Drake passed away on Monday, Sept. 22.
Hattie Bell Fowler
Hattie Bell Fowler, 90, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Until tomorrow!
🏈 This week is Fayetteville State University’s Homecoming! While student events kicked off this past weekend, events for alumni begin on Thursday, culminating in the Fayetteville State-Livingstone College football game on Saturday. For a full schedule, click here.
~ Maydha
