Page 18 - The Fayetteville Press Newspaper June & July 2025 Edition

Page 6b The Fayetteville Press June/July 2025 Edition

Community Barber Shops & Sports

Washington Drive and Cross Creek as the

Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park

By Stanley L. Ford - Chairman, Board of Directors
Fayetteville Cumberland County Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee

Around several decades ago, the city council responded to ongoing efforts by a group of citizens (Mrs. Lula G. Crenshaw,
Reverend Aaron Johnson, and other committee members associated with Mrs. Crenshaw and Reverend Johnson) to create such a
memorial by establishing the 13 acres defined by Washington Drive and Cross Creek as the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park. In
1998 the city sent out an Architectural Request for Proposal (RFP) with the purpose of hiring an architect to provide a master plan
along with the elements appropriate to such a project. The LSV Partnership led by Walter Vick was selected for the design of this very
important project. Following preliminary investigations of similar projects, a daylong workshop was held involving multiple races and
ages, as well as community representatives, including members of the City Council and the County Board of Commissioners. Through
their day-long interactions ideas emerged for the park, including the notion that it should celebrate not only the accomplishments of Dr.
King, but people in this community who have made a significant difference to the lives of others as well. Finally, a theme emerged “No
one shall enter and leave unchanged”. This was a tall order for the designer of the memorial and park.
In due time, the concept and design currently underway materialized. It was presented and approved by the MLK committee
and thereafter by the City Council. Unfortunately, the City Council did not budget for the full project at that time though it did continue
to provide funds to supplement the donations used to construct various aspects of the project, including the entry sign and fountain and
the MLK statue and amphitheater. However, the focus of the project remained stalled due to the lack of funds. Then, along comes the
Black Lives Movement, which, with the encouragement of the MLK committee eventually resulted in a response from the city, county
and state in the form of funding for the MLK project. Because the various political forces behind the project were eager to see results,
the decision was made to do the project in two phases with the plan being to get the most significant and invisible part of the memorial,
the spire, in place as soon as possible. Recognizing how the political winds blow, everyone involved wanted to drive the stake in the
ground as soon as possible to discourage any second thoughts.
Significant, worldwide respected consultants were hired and were making good progress before the project hit a snag. Keep in
mind, this project was conceived decades ago. Very few of the people involved as well as records and agreements are still around.
Without going into a lot of detail, (2022 October-2024, April 17, 2024 a letter from the FCCMLK Committee Chairman, provide a letter
to the City of Fayetteville, about relocating the MLK Spire Project back to the original site) because of a conflict between the parties
about locating the spire and powerlines have been dragged on for more than a year with no resolution despite many proposals.
Eventually, the FCCMLK Chairman sent a request to the City of Fayetteville to relocate the memorial spire back to the original location
which had been abandoned in 2022 to facilitate the reconfiguration of Cross Creek. As it turned out the creek relocation was not as
invasive of the site as originally proposed. With the approval of this change, April 2024, we are back on track. The FCCMLK
Committee had to conduct the topographic and GEO Survey back over because of the delays.
January 2023-April 2024
The MLK Spire was projected to be built over the power lines in MLK Park, there were unexpected delays for the Spire Project
to be enacted because the City Engineers, PWC and other parties were uncertain about moving the project back to the original design The MLK Spire
site recommended by the MLK Committee. adamite. The meetings and phone calls with the City of Fayetteville had a significant
impact on the power line decision. The disagreements between the FCCMLK Committee and the City of Fayetteville had an impact on
the project’s ability to move forward because of disputes between the parties involved. Due to the delay, the FCCMLK Committee Suburban Jewelry Repair & Sales
asked the City of Fayetteville to relocate the MLK Spire back to its original site, and in April 2024, the City of Fayetteville complied.
The FCCMLK Committee promptly got in touch with firms to assist in moving the MLK Spire Project forward. The Timmons Group, 1207-B Murchison Road * Fayetteville, NC 28301
ARUP and ECS Southeast Companies. ESC Southeast, LLC carried out a water and soil survey, drilling, and ensured that the Across the street from Fayetteville State University
foundation is capable of supporting the structure. A topographic survey was conducted to identify existing easements, utility lines, and Gold &
water flow at MLK Park, as well as wetland delineation and stream data analysis. This process had to be redone over because of the
delay moving the project forward. The ECS Southeast results from April to August 2024, were emailed to the Board of Commissioners, Sterling Silver
The City of Fayetteville, and the State of NC. Bracelets
September-November 2024 Chains & Rings
The torch construction lighting design is being completed. Lighting design concepts for illuminating monuments were provided by
the company. Developed lighting design concepts for a monument torch. The specifications of the fixture were provided. Coordinated FASHION JEWELRY
the positioning of lighting fixtures with Walter Vick. SOLD HERE

February-March 2025
The Site Group SOW was responsible for creating the building specifications for the mandatory site work that will be submitted Custom (Name Plates)
for review for the City of Fayetteville. The project design will be based on the sketches provided by them, which will depict the spire Dorothy McAllister Wednesday thru Friday
statues, their pavilion base, and waterfall features. The plans will be consistent with the current concept and incorporate any revisions (910) 488-3601 10am to 5pm
based on Fayetteville’s comments. The scope of their services encompasses the proposed work within the inner circle of the Spire, Satisfaction Guaranteed Saturday
which includes designing the drainage system and providing electric utility services to the spire. They examined the project site, scope, 10am to 2pm
and supplied documents regarding survey coordination. The Site Group provided the cleanup survey. They Generate CAD file of site
and the GIS Data. They coordinated the drainage and floorplan data/information progress to the City of Fayetteville.
May 15, 2025 Jason Buys Houses
The Site Group sent the building permit application and the plans for the Project-MLK Jr. Spire to The City of Fayetteville, and the
application was accepted by the City of Faythe described work to be performed. The Site Group proposed the following, a Martin
Luther King Jr. Memorial Structure, existing parking across Blue Street, electrical will tie into the existing utility lines, and erosion
control measures.
June 2, 2025
ARUP SOW finished providing structural engineering and lighting design by delivering the construction documents and lighting
disciplines.
June 18, 2025
The City of Fayetteville asked for a meeting with The Site Group, Mr. Vick about the application permit and the
review comments, such as the light poles, building review, variance for the height of the MLK Spire, and electrical plans.
The MLK Spire project, which has been in progress for decades, is finally coming to fruition for the First Stage. The City of
Fayetteville and the Board of Commissioners must be able to help with the MLK Spire Project and the Black History Museum without
hesitation. The Old Senior Building on Blue Street will be where the Black History Museum is expected to be located, from what I
understand. To my understanding, Blue Street will serve as the entrance to FSU from Brag Blvd. The MLK Spire will be visible on this
gateway, and it will be a source of inspiration, encouraging and supporting cultural collaborations to enhance the surrounding counties,
resulting in change, wealth, and growth. The MLK Spire Project is undoubtedly due, and the people of Fayetteville and the surrounding
counties should showcase the rich history of The All-American City by starting construction soon. We Buy Houses
The FCCMLK was given a $2.500.000 grant by the State, (2021), with the City of Fayetteville contributing $2.200.000, and the
Board of Commissioners contributing $2.500.000 towards the construction of the MLK Spire. The parties involved have control of
their funds to assist in the MLK Spire Project. FCCMLK has spent $276,413.27 as of today’s date. AS IS
I will inform the readers that this has been an arduous task, The MLK Spire, however, with the committee members on board
now, the ride is not as bumpy. Few words can express this “we are our own worst enemy”, therefore, “coming together is a beginning, No Low Offers
keeping together is progress, working together is success.”
I express my appreciation to the members of the FCCMLK Committee, Mr. Walter Vick is the Consultant Lead Engineer, The
Site Group, ARUP, The City of Fayetteville, The Board of Commissioners, The Fayetteville County, and surrounding counties of FAIR PRICE FAST
Fayetteville, my family, and most importantly, God.
The FCCMLK Committee needs your help to move forward with The MLK Spire, please contact your City Council Member,
Board of Commissioners or your District Representatives to assist in moving this inspiring project forward. We appreciate the service
that the communities have provided and we looks forward to the continued support, such as the MLK Parade, Meet and Greet, Food Call Jason Williams
& Clothing Drive, Candlelight Vigil, Pillow Donations to Seniors and Students, and additional events to promote the MLK Park, such as
Family Day, Wellness Programs and additional exciting events coming soon. (910) 910-475-8549
Please do not hesitate to contact the FCCMLK Committee at stanleyfordfccmlk@gmail.com or the MLKL website:
https://mlkmemorialpark.org.