Government

County issues Request for Qualifications for Crown project Construction Manager at Risk

By Staff Report, posted 1 month ago

Cumberland County has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), seeking qualified firms to provide Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR) services for the modernization and renovation of the Crown Theatre and Arena, collectively known as the Crown Complex.

This key step marks continued progress in the County’s plan to transform the existing Crown facilities into a modern, accessible and first-class event venue that supports the region’s cultural and economic vitality.

The selected firm will serve as the County’s representative, overseeing daily coordination, schedule review, construction progress and quality assurance. Responsibilities will include assisting with contractor and architect selection, budget monitoring and ensuring that all project milestones are achieved on time and within scope.

On June 4, 2025, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted to discontinue construction of the previously proposed Crown Event Center in downtown Fayetteville and instead pursue full renovation and modernization of the current Crown Theatre and Arena. The updated project will build on prior feasibility studies, community engagement and the Board’s Guiding Principles, ensuring alignment with the County’s vision for accessibility, functionality and fiscal responsibility.

Cumberland County encourages responses from local, minority-owned, women-owned, Veteran-owned, disabled Veteran-owned and small diverse businesses, as well as firms that have not previously worked with the County.

Key Dates

  • RFQ Issued: Jan. 28, 2026
  • CMaR Info Session: Feb. 17, 2026, at 10 a.m.
  • Mandatory Pre-Proposal Meeting: Feb. 20, 2026, 9 - 11 a.m. in Conference Room A at Cumberland County Department of Social Services, 1225 Ramsey. St., Fayetteville (use Hillsboro Street entrance)
  • Questions Due: Feb. 20, 2026, by 5 p.m. EST and must be emailed to Gena Buhler and Cumberland County Director of Engineering & Infrastructure Ken Griffin at kgriffin@cumberlandcountync.gov
  • Addendum Responses Published: Feb. 23, 2026, by 5 p.m. EST
  • Proposals Due: Feb. 27, 2026, by 5 p.m. EST (five hard copies and one digital PDF on a flash drive)
  • Evaluation Committee Shortlist: March 13, 2026
  • Interviews: March 2026

The complete RFQ document, submission requirements and supporting materials, including prior studies and meeting minutes, are available at www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/commissioners-group/commissioners/crown-event-center-committee.

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
fayetteville-state-university elizabeth-hunt headshott

Fayetteville State University leads campus-wide CPR and AED preparedness push

Elizabeth Hunt - Assistant Vice Chancellor for Risk and Compliance, Fayetteville State University
united-way-of-cumberland-county scott-embry headshott

Gratitude: Honoring the generosity of a community by maximizing impact

Scott Embry - Executive Director & CEO, United Way of Cumberland County
north-carolina-military-business-center lee-moritz-jr headshott

Where Warfighter Needs Meet Textile Innovation: Why FEDTEX 2026 Matters

Lee Moritz, Jr. - Federal Business Development, North Carolina Military Business Center

In The Current Issue

From soldier to realtor: Jamel Williams' mission to serve Fayetteville's homebuyers

Jamel Williams transitioned from active military duty to the civilian workforce in 2018. He entered into the field of real estate with the hope of helping other military personnel find their home, as he knew from firsthand experience the challenge th


AFCEA NC powers innovation: 2026 Innovation Summit fuels defense collaboration and stem investment

rom Concept to Capability panelists (L to R) Dr. Paul Baker principal deputy (A) of the Army Science Division Army Research Office, Klinton Snead, extramural staff director for the Army Research Office, panel moderator Phil Williams, VP of corporate


Publisher's note: Rooted here, growing here

Photo by Tierra Mallorca / Unsplash Buying a house is not for the weak. This year, my husband and I decided to begin the hunt for a home. When I tell you January was one of the most stressful times in my life, I mean it from the bottom of m