Cumberland County Seeking Architects for $164M Crown Theatre and Arena Upgrades

Cumberland County is now seeking builders and designers to transform the aging Crown Theatre and Arena complex. The $164 million project aims to bring new life to facilities built in the 1960s.

"We're looking for interested vendors that want to be part of a modernization and renovation product project for the arena and the theater," said Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere, according to The Fayetteville Observer.

Before asking for bids, officials will meet to set clear spending limits and project scope. Davis Kane Architect's latest estimates range from $132.9 million for a smaller 2,400-seat setup to $163.7 million for a larger 3,000-seat design.

Current venue operator Oak View Group will weigh in on future uses and income potential. They've managed the site - and the Crown Coliseum and Expo Center, which are not impacted by any of the Arena and Theatre changes - since before work started on a now scrapped downtown center last year.

Ten years ago, studies showed fixing the theater would cost about $35 million - close to the $37.7 million price of building fresh. Without updates, the buildings faced shutdown largely due to inadequate facilities for the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The county must still figure out where potential shows will go during construction. "It's one of the questions as we work through this process and look at the timing, which is why we want OVG at the table," deViere said.

Two officials - Vice Chair Veronica Jones and Commissioner Glenn Adams - opposed fixing the old buildings instead of starting fresh.