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President and CEO Bianca Shoneman. “It was really great to see our city council support our legislators who created the law for us and then gave cities and counties the empowerment to enact it. Specifically, Senator DeViere was instrumental in getting that legislation passed alongside of the North Carolina Retail and Merchants Association. And we are proud of it, and we think that the social district will provide a sense of vitality to downtown Fayetteville that other metropolitan areas offer throughout the state, and really nation at this point, because it is an economic strategy many communities are using in a post COVID economy to generate sales and interest in their community post COVID.”
While the new Social District is expected to be an exciting addition to the downtown landscape, it doesn’t come without rules. According to an ordinance from the City of Fayetteville, a new Article 11 outlines the requirements of the Social District providing definitions and applicable restrictions including the Social District’s boundaries comprised of 26 addresses throughout downtown Fayetteville where open carry will be allowed.
One of the main specifications include the requirements for what cups must be used by businesses for the sale of open alcoholic beverages, including: a) The container clearly identifies the permittee from which the alcoholic beverage was purchased. b) The container clearly displays a logo or some other mark that is unique to the social district in which it will be consumed. c) The container is not comprised of glass. d) The container displays, in no less than 12-point font, the statement, "Drink Responsibly - Be 21." e) The container shall not hold more than 16 fluid ounces.
To meet these requirements, the CSDD is divvying up their first allotment of 5,000 customized cups to the 26 businesses that have signed up to sell alcohol in the district.
Shoneman shared that an additional 10,000 cups are being made thanks to the sponsorship of local law firm Smith, Dickey & Dempster P.A.
The temporary Downtown Social District officially launched on Dec. 1, with signage posted, businesses marked for their participation and cups distributed, and operates seven days a week from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
So far, there are 44 businesses in total participating in the district whether it’s by allowing guests to bring drinks in, purchase them at their establishment and leave with them, or are strictly not allowing open adult beverages in their stores. Specific signs are posted on all participating businesses to notify guests of their preferences by the verbiage: Welcomed Here, Sold Here, or Not Permitted Here.
While the temporary pilot of the district has been approved, there is still more work to do before making the change permanent. According to legislation text from the City of Fayetteville, the CSDD will present a progress report of the program’s impact every three months. At the end of the trial period in December 2023, the action will be reintroduced to rescind the pilot to create an ordinance amendment for a Social District.
City Council Member of District 2 Shakeyla Ingram voted in support of the Social District and said safety and having a solid plan in place to implement the program were some of the reasons she felt confident voting yes.
“Making sure we had clear guidelines, a footprint, making sure that
PHOTO PROVIDED BY: COOL SPRING DOWNTOWN DISTRICT Downtown Fayetteville has created 5,000 customized cups to be used throughout the Social District. Signs are posted in participating businesses so guests can know what areas are open carry.
our city partners were on board, and they felt heard, and most importantly making sure our merchants felt heard too. And I think considering it was a nine to one that, you saw that all parties involved, felt heard and felt comfortable to move this forward,” said Ingram. “Once the pilot is complete, we will review the stats that will come out of it and we will make a vote and say, ‘Hey, based off of what maybe Cool Spring is presenting, let's go ahead and do this.’ Or if the council chooses not to, that is also an option as well. But I think we'll be good to move forward because we'll be getting reports throughout.”
Along with the new social development in downtown, new real estate is in the works to help increase residential and commercial offerings.
A new project is currently under construction on Donaldson Street. The building is more than halfway done and is set to be a multi-use building adding 9,000 gross square feet in commercial development including living space and retail bays to the downtown area.
“That is being done by the Ammons Group, an architectural firm located in the Haymount District. This is one of the first infill projects to come out of the ground. So, it's a new construction project, that’s sandwiched between two existing buildings,” said Shoneman. “If you go down Donaldson, you can see he's already got the cinder in and he's done all his plumbing. It's very far along.”
Just up the street, progress continues on a new high-end luxury apartment complex under construction on Adam Street. The first phase of the project was completed in May of 2022 with two buildings with 20 two-bedroom, three-bathroom units. For phase two, the Adam Street complex is expected to add three additional buildings also with three bedrooms and two bathrooms that will be available for lease bringing 50,000 square feet of new residential development to downtown.
Another residential project in the works is a 150,000 gross square foot apartment building that will include 212 apartments and have an expected $65,000,000 impact on the downtown area.
“This project has been led by Jordan Jones, who’s a Fayetteville native. He also did the adaptive reuse project on the Prince Charles [building], which is, you know, a beloved building that has been part of our urban form since the early 1900s,” said Shoneman. “This project should begin in the near future. The lay down site has already started to be laid down and by that, I mean you'll see a crane come in in the next few weeks and construction should begin in the near future. Jordan’s development company is called Anchor & Pillar and they are leading this investment.”
Finally, 12 new condos are also under construction at 111 Maxwell St. in the Kress building.
“We love the idea of expanding residential opportunities in the downtown district. And so, to see that we have, you know, the 212 units, the 20 units from Adam Street and then these additional 12 units that really is going to provide a substantial boom and to our residential impact,” said Shoneman.
In total, 244 new residential developments have been completed, planned or were begun in Downtown Fayetteville between 2017 and 2021, adding 540,000 gross square feet of new residential real estate, a culmination of $210,000,000 in private investments.
Clarence Grier hired as new Cumberland County Manager
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners announced CLARENCE GRIER will serve as the next County Manager.
Board of Commissioners Chairman Glenn Adams said that Grier will assume the role of Cumberland County Manager on March 1, 2023, following the retirement of former County Manager Amy Cannon who served her last day on Nov. 30, 2022.
“We are excited to welcome Clarence Grier to Cumberland County to serve as our next County Manager,” said Adams in a press release. “He has roots in this area and his background and experience make him an exceptional choice to lead our organization and accomplish the Board’s priorities and objectives to continue our forward momentum.”
Grier serves as Deputy City Manager in Roanoke, VA, and has been with the City of Roanoke since 2021. Prior to that, he served as Deputy County Manager in Guilford County, NC, from 2015 until 2021 and as Assistant County Manager and Chief Finance Officer for Orange County, NC, from 2009 until 2015. He has 34 years of local government experience and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration from Campbell University. He is an International City/County Manager Credentialed Manager and is a Certified Public Accountant.
“I am excited and truly honored to be provided the opportunity to serve the Board and citizens of Cumberland County as County Manager,” said Grier in a press release. “I am honored and thankful for the Board’s confidence in my experience and leadership, and I am looking forward to becoming a member of the Cumberland County community and continuing the mission, vision and objectives of the Board and broader community.”
Grier
JOHNNY A. CARTER was inducted into the Cumberland County Agricultural Hall of Fame in a ceremony during the annual Farm City event hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville on Nov. 18. A Cumberland County local, Carter built a small hog operation that laid the framework for a long and rewarding 51 year-long career in agriculture in the 1970s.
Carter was one of the first farmers in Cumberland County to diversify his farming operation, from swine to row crops, and eventually included poultry. Carter’s forward thinking, willingness to change, calculated risk taking and receptiveness to new techniques resulted in a successful, streamlined farming operation that continues to thrive.
Carter now farms alongside his son, Adam Carter, and his grandson, Mason Canady. They own and operate J & A Farms, with farming operations in the Eastover, Godwin, and Wade areas.
Carter’s most significant contribution to agriculture is undoubtedly his commitment and involvement with the younger farming generation in Cumberland County.
“It is an honor to recognize Mr. Johnny Carter for his outstanding leadership and contributions to agriculture,” said Cooperative Extension Director Lisa Childers. “Johnny’s most significant contribution to agriculture has been his commitment to mentoring and promoting agriculture to our younger generation.”
What are you and your peers achieving? Have you reached a new goal? Have you acquired another business? Maybe your business has a new hire you would like to highlight. Greater Fayetteville Business Journal wants to hear from you and your business to shine a spotlight on your accomplishments.
To nominate someone for GFBJ’s Achievers section, email editor@bizfayetteville.com with the subject line “Achiever.”
PHOTO PROVIDED BY: CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Lisa Childers, Amy Cannon, Chairman Glenn Adams, and 2022 Cumberland County Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductee Johnny A. Carter.
Former Fayetteville official named Director of Government Affairs for Metronet
Former Assistant Manager for the City of Fayetteville TELLY WHITFIELD, PH. D has been named the Director of Government Affairs for internet provider Metronet.
Whitfield joined Metronet following his time with the city, where he was key in developing relationships and coalitions with stakeholders including elected officials, private industry, nonprofits, community-based organizations, and diverse populations throughout Fayetteville and beyond.
“After working with Metronet closely to ensure residents and businesses throughout the City of Fayetteville would have access to their state-of-the-art 100 percent fiber optic network, I am proud to join their team to help ensure that more communities have that same opportunity,” said Whitfield in a press release. “I look forward to working alongside this topnotch team that has
Whitfield worked tirelessly to bring service to small and mid-sized cities throughout the country.
Whitfield has more than 20 years of experience in public service and executive leadership throughout numerous Mid-Atlantic communities with proven results in planning and zoning, economic development, information technology, human services, neighborhood building, community development and more.
Raines named inaugural assistant vice chancellor for marketing and creative services for FSU
Fayetteville State University has a new inaugural assistant vice chancellor for marketing and creative services after promoting TINA RAINES to the positions starting Nov. 18, 2022. As director of marketing at FSU for the last six years, Raines conceptualized and implemented Fayetteville State University’s integrated marketing plan aimed at
Raines engaging internal and external audiences to boost attendance and support for the university. The integrated marketing plan includes official branding, recruitment marketing, fundraising marketing, internal and external communication, and event marketing.
Raines brings more than three decades of experience in engaging stakeholders to meet the goals of for-profit companies, non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher learning.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to integrate my passion for education and storytelling into marketing initiatives that will help FSU grow and continue its phenomenal momentum,” Raines said in a press release.
Some of the notable actions Raines has taken to encourage growth at the university include introducing advertising campaigns focused on recruiting traditional and non-traditional students, leading a website redesign effort, developing creative and impactful strategies to connect during the COVID-19 pandemic and marketing new fundraising initiatives to attract new donors and increase per capita giving.
Wheeler named on Security Systems News’ 40 under 40 list
Local Vice President LUKE WHEELER with Holmes Security Systems in Fayetteville is receiving industry wide attention after being recognized on the Security System News “40 Under 40” list for 2022. The publication focuses on content for security installers & dealers, product distribu-
Wheeler tors, central stations, engineers & architects, and security consultants & end-users.
The award has been recognized by SSN for over a decade and focuses on “outstanding young professionals who are making their mark in the security industry.” Candidates have to be nominated on the publication’s website in order to receive recognition.
