Fayetteville authorizes reapplication for HUD Choice Neighborhoods implementation grant
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Summary
Council authorized staff to apply for a Choice Neighborhoods implementation grant to advance redevelopment of Murchison Road and surrounding neighborhoods; the grant maximum was noted as $26 million under current federal rules, and staff announced a community meeting and March application deadline.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — City Council on Feb. 9 approved a staff request to reapply for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods implementation grant to support redevelopment work in the Murchison Road area.
Chris Colley, the city’s economic development lead, told council that the city and the Fayetteville Metropolitan Housing Authority have partnered on a renewed application and that the federal program’s maximum award under the current administration is $26 million. Colley said the team is updating the earlier application, has recruited Penrose (a nationally experienced mixed‑income housing developer) to the effort, and will seek local leverage similar to previous submissions. He asked council to authorize staff to apply and to adopt associated budget ordinance amendments.
Why it mattered: The Choice Neighborhoods implementation grant supports neighborhood‑level redevelopment, mixed‑income housing, infrastructure and social‑services investments. Colley said the city has a competitive plan and was shortlisted in an earlier round; HUD’s new maximum award alters strategy but could improve fit for Fayetteville’s scale.
Council action and next steps: Council voted to authorize staff to submit the application and to proceed with budget and special revenue ordinance adjustments. Staff announced a public meeting on Feb. 12 at Senior Center East (917 Washington Drive) and said a follow‑up presentation with more detailed housing and neighborhood plans will return to council in a future meeting. Colley said the application window is short — with materials due in early March — and the staff team is working with Urban Strategies, Penrose and a grant writer to finalize materials.
Context and details: Colley described prior planning and a 3‑year planning grant, earlier HUD feedback and neighborhood components such as parks, trails, facade improvements, and mixed‑income infill that could be included in the application. The city previously spent planning funds and expects to request modest leverage to support submission.
