Fayetteville wants new public facilities authority

The Fayetteville City Council has endorsed a plan to create a new public facilities authority to help facilitate its plans for downtown growth.

By a 5-0 vote on Jan. 3, the council approved a resolution that asks five state legislative representatives to bring the measure before the General Assembly for approval. City Manager Ray Gibson said the matter has already been discussed with Rep. Josh Bonner and Rep. Derrick Jackson. The authority board would consist of five members appointed by the mayor and council, who (along with city staff members) would also be eligible to serve on the authority.

The board would serve as a government entity in partnership with the city to arrange financing and ownership of major city developments, including the new city hall project.