Residents urge support for new arts space, YMCA facility and oppose College Lakes 7‑Eleven during public forum

At the Aug. 11 Fayetteville City Council meeting, dozens of residents and nonprofit representatives used the meeting’s 30‑minute public forum to ask the council for funding, hearings and city help for local projects, including an arts center for BIPOC artists, a replacement YMCA facility and a public hearing on a proposed 7‑Eleven in the College Lakes neighborhood.

Carmela McKellar, president and CEO of Region 6 Project Inc., told the council the nonprofit’s newly renovated three‑floor arts center at 100 Hay Street has hosted more than 300 visitors since a soft opening in June and “in a city that is at least 60% BIPOC, there has never been a place dedicated to documenting, holding, representing, or celebrating BIPOC culture and art.” McKellar asked council members to “come see what we're doing, come alongside us” and consider support for the organization’s programming.

Several speakers urged the council to prioritize replacing or upgrading the local YMCA building. Dr. Dion Felice, a retired general surgeon and patient advocate, said the YMCA is “the largest nonprofit community service in America” and called a new facility a “catalyst” that would let the YMCA expand health and senior services. Justin Chase, speaking for the YMCA of the Sandhills, said the…