The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Crown Event Center Committee voted last week to move a revised set of guiding principles forward for the project to construct a new multipurpose event center. The decided principles will be used to establish a common direction for the project and serve as high-level goals to inform future project decisions.

The owner’s representative for the project, MBP Carolinas, presented the Committee with the recommended guiding principles. Project stakeholders reviewed drafts and provided feedback so that revisions could be made. The Committee, which is composed of Commissioners Jeannette Council, Jimmy Keefe, and Board Chairman Glenn Adams, voted to approve the proposed guiding principles as amended and move them forward to the full Board for consideration at their upcoming meeting scheduled for Sept. 6.

- According to a press release from Cumberland County, the recommended guiding principles for the Crown Event Center project include:

- A local and regional asset that builds upon existing economic development infrastructure and is a catalyst for existing and new businesses to flourish.
- A venue that enhances and elevates our community as a premier destination for entertainment, events, and gatherings.
- A quality, evolving, and efficient venue that provides a first-class experience with a lasting impression.
- Premier, welcoming, and accessible experience available to all patrons.
- Flexible and functional venue with multiple spaces to accommodate a variety of programming:
         - Capitalize on market gap for 500-3,000 capacity
         - Diverse programming that appeals to broad ranges of interests
         - Affordable spaces to accommodate local and regional cultural programs hosted by schools, universities, arts organizations, and community organizations.
- An engaging community amenity that is financially self-sustaining.

For the next step in the project, the board will be asked on Sept. 6 to approve a Request for Qualifications for an architect for the project. 

MBP aims to organize an informational session next month for local architects, engineers and contractors to advocate for local participation and provide an opportunity for them to connect with regional and national firms that are interested in the project.