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Council approves plan to activate MakerSpace in Peter Stewart building, funds interior work and starts operator search
Summary
Council approved moving forward with an approximately $450,000 budget to ready the Peter Stewart building (Rowan & Bragg) for use as a maker space, and directed staff to issue an RFP for an operator. Council members emphasized completing interior activation so partners and program operators can occupy the space.
Council voted to authorize staff to proceed with activating the former Peter Stewart building at the corner of Rowan Street and Bragg Boulevard as a makerspace. Public‑services and economic-development staff said roughly $450,000 remains from a prior allocation (the balance of an original $800,000 package) and that the funds should be used to make the building usable: roof and structural stabilization done earlier, and the next phase would fund interior work (bathrooms, electrical, basic gallery/entry improvements and warehouse shop space) so a nonprofit or private operator can run programs.
Planning and economic-development staff presented a master plan scheme the council had previously approved and recommended issuing an RFP for an operator to program and manage the space. Council members, citing a prior study trip to Winston‑Salem’s industrial maker district, urged prioritizing interior activation so partners (colleges, FTCC, Fayetteville State University, local nonprofits) can move in and use the space. Councilman Gibson said the city will focus the $450,000 on interior activation to attract operators and programs; the RFP will include expectations about fees and revenue models and staff said operators typically charge membership or program fees to cover operating costs.
A motion by Councilman Davis to receive the staff report and allow staff to proceed with the activation and operator RFP was seconded by Councilmember Banks‑McLaughlin and passed by the council. Staff said they would return within about 90 days with a recommended scope and RFP draft.
Council members asked staff to prioritize program partnerships and to avoid assuming ongoing city operating subsidies; staff said the intent is to activate the building to attract partners and revenue from operator fees rather than require a long‑term subsidy. The council also discussed how activated space could tie into the surrounding arts district, nearby youth programming and the city’s broader economic-development work.
