The City of Fayetteville has issued a Request for Qualification (RFQ) seeking an experienced development team to partner on the development of the Blount and Gillespie site, a 9.3-acre, city-owned assembly of 41 parcels located immediately south of downtown Fayetteville. The potential development site is located on the corner of Blount and Gillespie Street.

This RFQ represents the first phase of a competitive, two-step procurement process to identify a qualified development partner capable of delivering a catalytic, mixed-use project that expands downtown and strengthens connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods.  

“After resident input, we are confident that the fruition of development on the Blount and Gillespie site will bring not only great economic impact but also growth in our sense of community across the downtown area,” said Economic Development Manager Derrick McArthur in a press release.

The City’s vision for the site includes:  

• Mixed-use multifamily residential development 
• Ground-floor retail and commercial development 
• Publicly open space designed around the public facility E.E. Smith House 

This initiative marks a significant milestone in the City's ongoing effort to grow and enhance the downtown area, create new spaces for the community and bolster economic development in Fayetteville.

“This project aims to be the cornerstone for the future revitalization of the downtown. The RFQ is a call for innovative partners to transform this prime location into a vibrant, mixed-use hub that sparks economic vitality, increases housing diversity and truly reflects the aspirations of our community," said McArthur in a press release.

The RFQ submission deadline is July 1. All qualification materials must be submitted by this date to be considered. Only applicants who submit through RFQ will be eligible to advance. 

Applicants selected to move forward to the RFP phase will be notified by early fall 2026.   

Development teams wishing to respond to this RFQ must register through the City's Vendor Portal at the City's procurement website before submitting. W-9 and other tax documentation will be required at the development contract stage, not at the RFQ stage.  

Questions may be directed to Kim Toon, CLGPO, Purchasing Manager, at KimberlyToon@fayettevillenc.gov or (910) 433-1942. 

The RFQ can be reviewed at FayettevilleNC.gov/Bids.

A virtual information meeting will be held on Thursday, May 15, at 10 a.m. This session will provide prospective applicants with an overview of the project scope, submission requirements and an opportunity to ask questions. 

In 2025, the City initiated a study for the site to establish a feasible, market-responsive development concept. This process culminated in a final programming and design vision for a mixed-use development that integrates new housing, activated ground-floor uses, public space and cultural amenities. 

The Blount and Gillespie site has benefited from public investment over several decades. Beginning in 2008, the City utilized $6 million of local funding to assist with the revitalization of the project areas in partnership with a HOPE VI grant received by FMHA. Activities consist of infrastructure improvement, single-family housing development and a multi-year land acquisition strategy, assembling 41 individual parcels.