Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Crown Event Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cumberland County pauses Crown Event Project for up to 30 days after closed session review
Summary
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously March 5 to suspend work on the Crown Event Project for up to 30 days to review the project's scope, schedule and budget following an attorney–client closed session under North Carolina statute.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously March 5 to suspend work on the Crown Event Project for up to 30 days so staff and commissioners can review the project’s scope, schedule and financial budget.
The motion, moved by Vice Chairwoman Jones and seconded by Commissioner Tyson, said the suspension would last “for no more than 30 days for the purpose of reviewing and also investigating the scope schedule and the financial budget for this particular project.” The county had convened in a closed session immediately before the vote under the attorney–client privilege statute cited by the board (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143‑318.11(a)(3)).
Why it matters: The Crown Event Project is a major county undertaking tied to the Crown Coliseum complex and the board’s decision to pause work could affect project timing and contractor schedules. Commissioners did not provide further detail at the public meeting about what triggered the review; the motion followed the closed-session discussion.
What happened at the meeting: After returning from closed session, Vice Chairwoman Jones made the suspension motion and Commissioner Tyson seconded it. The board voted by voice and the chairman announced the motion carried unanimously.
What the motion directs: The motion instructs county staff to review and investigate the project’s scope, schedule and financial budget during the suspension period. The board did not specify criteria for resuming work or require an interim report to be delivered at a particular date in open session during the 30 days.
Context and next steps: The item came immediately after the board’s closed-session discussion citing attorney–client privilege under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143‑318.11(a)(3). The board provided no additional public timeline for the review or any immediate directive to contractors during the meeting. Commissioners may return to the item in a future open meeting once the review is complete or sooner if they choose.
Votes at the meeting: The suspension motion was approved unanimously.
