Leaders tour Fayetteville to draw attention to the need for incentives to revitalize cities statewide
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Leaders in Fayetteville say they're committed to bring new life to the downtown area. Now, they're launching a plan to revitalize the heart of the city.
Downtown Fayetteville is a story of success, preserving and revitalizing many of its old buildings. Developers said tax credits are a crucial part of that plan and without them restoration plans in Fayetteville and in other cities could grind to a halt.
State Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz took a walk in the past Tuesday. She got a guided tour of Fayetteville's rich history. It's one that developers say is crumbling.
"These buildings can't be the byproduct of a governmental argument -- a differing philosophy -- because these building are crumbling as we argue about whether tax credits work," said downtown developer John Malzone.
Malzone has developed many businesses in downtown Fayetteville. He says government tax credits are crucial to the city's revitalization and restoration of old buildings.
"We have got between 15 and 20 projects that will benefit from tax credits," said Malzone. "So we know it looks good now but could look better with another 15 projects."
That's the message developers hope Kluttz takes to Raleigh. She's touring cities across the state that have historical buildings their communities are trying to save.
"I think that sometimes it gets lost in the talk of tax credits and tax reform, but North Carolina has this rich history, and people across the state value that property," said Kluttz.
One of those properties is Fayetteville's Prince Charles Hotel, which is vacant now and showing its age. However, Kluttz said in Fayetteville and other cities she doesn't see crumbling buildings, but challenges.
"I just see here... that there is still so many wonderful things have happened," said Kluttz. "That would not have happened without tax credits. I continue to hear that not just in Fayetteville, but everywhere all over the state, and it's critical they continue."
Kluttz is touring the state hoping to motivate local leaders and citizens to tell state legislators to put the tax credits back into next year's budget.
