TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Jay Toland, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Yamile Nazar, Director
Diversity Equity & Inclusion
Human Relations Department
DATE: August 1, 2022 - Council Work Session
RE:itle Fayetteville Market House Repurposing Update
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 4: Desirable Place to Live, Work and Recreate
Executive Summary:
Information is presented to the Council involving suggested options for the repurposing of the Fayetteville Market House.
Background:
At the request by City Council on March 28, 2022, the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission was directed to collect further community input on ways to repurpose the Market House. The Commission held three in-person public input events, and attended various affinity group meetings in order to promote the survey and have these groups to share the survey link with their entire membership. The affinity groups include, but are not limited to, NAACP, Ministerial Alliance, Millennial Commission, various community watch meetings, and Divine 9.
If strategically repurposed, the historic Market House has the potential to make a significant contribution to local and regional African-American history, positive community race and human relations, residents’ quality of life, as well as municipal tourism and the regional economy.
Issues/Analysis:
Top recommendations from residents throughout the City of Fayetteville:
Top Four Responses in Order
Education / History
§ Compile and publish true and accurate information about the history of the Market House utilizing the research of reputable historians and sociologists.
§ Change the language of the Market House plaque to reflect the involuntary nature of the enslaved.
§ Provide history using multiple media options (written and digital) and in formats that are accessible to those with sight and hearing limitations.
Artistic Displays
§ Market House: Commission local artisans to create temporary exhibits that depict the history of the Market House and Fayetteville, with a prioritization on Black history.
§ Market House: Commission local artisans to create temporary exhibits that depict the history of the Market House and Fayetteville, with a prioritization on Black history.
Marketing / Communication
§ Regularly publish communication that provides the community with updates on progress related to repurposing.
§ Encourage continued community contribution by releasing “casting calls” for local artisans to develop artistic displays and, when possible, allow the community to informally vote on creative options.
Budget Impact:
Unknown at this time.
Options:
Select options from the USDOJ City SPIRIT and community input recommendations for repurposing the Market House (recommended).
Do not approve the proposed repurposing options provided in the USDOJ City SPIRIT and community input recommendations.
Recommended Action:
City staff recommend that repurposing options that can begin implementation be considered. This action is consistent with the intent and spirit of the Human Relations ordinance which provides guidance to the Human Relations Commission and City Staff in support of its efforts aligned with Goal 4 which promotes Fayetteville as a desirable place to live, work and recreate.
Attachments:
Repurposing Recommendation - PowerPoint Presentation