The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has authorized the Crown Event Center project to move into the next phase of construction, approving a contract amendment with the Construction Manager at Risk following a recommendation from the Board’s Crown Event Center Committee.

The item was one of several approved by the Crown Event Center Committee, followed by the Board of Commissioners during a Special Meeting. To view the agendas and supporting materials for both meetings, go to www.cumberlandcountync.gov/bocmeetingmaterials.

The following decisions were made at the meeting:

Approval of budget amendment: On Feb. 5, 2024, the Board approved a Budget Ordinance Amendment to increase the total project budget for the Crown Event Center by $12,752,122 to $144,455,422. The budget for Construction was increased by $10,038,211 and the remaining $2,713,911 was added to the Contingency line to be used for other items including contract amendments with the Owner's Agent and Architect. The project budget also included $2 million for "Other Expenses," which was intended to be used for acquisition and demolition of the Yarborough Law Office to expand the footprint of the Crown Event Center. Staff requested a Budget Ordinance Amendment to move the funds from Contingency and Other Expenses to their appropriate lines within the project budget. Haney noted the Budget Ordinance Amendment does not increase the total project budget of $144,455,422. Both the Crown Event Center Committee and Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the budget amendment.

Approval of contract amendment with MBP Carolinas: On April 4, 2022, the Board of Commissioners approved a contract with MBP Carolinas to provide Owner's Representative Services for the Crown Event Center project. The contract was in the amount of $2,201,500 based on the original project budget of $82.5 million. On May 15, 2023, the Board approved an increased building program of 131,500 square feet and total project budget of $131,703,300. The change in project scope necessitated adjustments to the County's contract with MBP Carolinas. Staff requested a contract amendment with MBP increasing the contract amount to $2,566,718.50 based on the increased program. Funds are available within the project budget. Both the Crown Event Center Committee and Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the contract amendment.

Approval of contract amendment with EwingCole: On Nov. 28, 2022, the Board of Commissioners approved a contract with EwingCole to provide Architectural Services for the Crown Event Center project. The contract was in the amount of $6,414,012 with an additional $135,500 in reimbursable expenses and was based on the original project scope and budget of $82.5 million. On May 15, 2023, the Board approved an increased building program of 131,500 square feet and total project budget of $131,703,300. The change in project scope necessitated adjustments to the County's contract with EwingCole. Staff requested a contract amendment with EwingCole increasing the contract amount to $8,424,851 and increasing the amount for reimbursable expenses to $152,100 based on the increased program. Funds are available within the project budget. Both the Crown Event Center Committee and Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the contract amendment.

Approval of GMP-2 contract amendment: On Sept. 18, 2023, the Board of Commissioners approved a contract with the joint venture of TA Loving/Metcon to provide preconstruction services for the Crown Event Center project. At the time, it was stated that at the end of the project's design phase, a GMP (guaranteed maximum price) amendment to the contract would be brought forward to finalize the cost for construction. Given the time-sensitive nature of this project, bidding has been split into three phases. The Board of Commissioners approved a contract amendment with TA Loving/Metcon for the first phase, which consisted of sitework and demolition, on Sept. 16, 2024, allowing construction to begin following the issuance of a limited notice to proceed on Oct. 28, 2024. The second phase consists of an early structural package, including aggregate piers, concrete and structural steel. The Project Delivery Team presented the bid results for phase two and requested approval of a GMP-2 contract amendment, which incorporates the combined amount for phases one and two of $29,080,291. Bidding is currently underway for the third and final phase of construction, and Haney said staff anticipates bringing the final GMP and contract amendment to the Crown Event Center Committee and Board of Commissioners for approval in Jan. 2025. Both the Crown Event Center Committee and Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the contract amendment.

Approval of easement: Construction of the new Crown Event Center requires the relocation of a PWC transformer and utility boxes which are currently located on County property near the corner of Gillespie St. and Ottis F. Jones Pkwy. The County has acquired property across the street from the site at 117 Gillespie St. where the equipment will be relocated. To relocate the equipment, an easement with the City of Fayetteville through PWC is required. Both the Crown Event Center Committee and Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the easement and to allow County Manager Clarence Grier to sign the easement.

The Crown Event Center Committee is comprised of Cumberland County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe, who chairs the Committee, Board Chairman Glenn Adams and Commissioner Jeannette Council, along with Cumberland County Civic Center Commission Chairman McBryde Grannis, who serves in an ex officio capacity. The Project Delivery Team (PDT) is made up of County staff, and staff from the County’s owner’s representative MBP Carolinas, project architect EwingCole, construction manager at risk (CMaR) TA Loving/Metcon and Crown Complex Manager Oak View Group (OVG).

For more information on the Crown Event Center project, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/crowneventcenter.