What's next for MLK Fayetteville-Cumberland spire project after parade postponed and resignation?

FAYETTEVILLE, NC.. (WTVD) -- Questions continue to surround the Fayetteville-Cumberland Martin Luther King Jr. Committee following a week of major developments that have shaken the organization's leadership and cast uncertainty over one of its most ambitious projects.

Earlier this week, the committee postponed its annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade. Then, just last night, Chairman Stanley Ford stepped down amid mounting pressure from city and county leaders to provide financial documentation related to the committee's multi-million-dollar MLK Spire project.

Now, the committee faces a turning point as it works to determine new leadership, restore public trust, and decide the future of the long-planned monument.

Many of those questions were addressed by Cleopatrice Lacy-Robinson, daughter of the late Dr. Wilson Lacy, who first envisioned the 30-foot spire at MLK Park on Blue Street. Despite the uncertainty, she says the mission her father began decades ago is far from over.

"The dream is still alive. All is not lost," Lacy-Robinson said.

For years, the Fayetteville-Cumberland MLK Committee has worked to honor Dr. King's legacy through community events and initiatives. But recent weeks have brought unexpected challenges, including internal disagreements and calls for greater transparency.

Lacy-Robinson says she was surprised by the leadership changes but believes the decision to step aside may ultimately help the organization move forward.

" I had no idea that they were moving in that direction. But I commend Stan, Mr. Ford for recognizing that you know, maybe he's not the person to move the committee forward."

Few people know the committee's inner workings better than Lacy-Robinson. Her father, Dr. Wilson Lacy, served as chairman for 15 years and was a familiar presence at the annual MLK parade.

"If you knew my dad, you knew that he wore a three-piece suit and a hat. And so I remember him getting up at 5:00 in the morning saying, we've got to go to the parade."

After Dr. Lacy's passing in 2022, Lacy-Robinson, an architect, stepped in to help carry his vision forward. She says he lived long enough to see the project funded, even if he did not see it completed.

"He was lucky enough to see the funding come, but, you know, not lucky enough to see it built. I negotiated changes to the memorandum of understanding MOU that we had with the city and I signed the memo you on behalf of the Martin Luther King Committee so that we can start construction activities, get the design completed, and move forward."

The decades-long project has drawn significant support from leaders at both the state and local levels. In 2021, the state awarded the committee $2.5 million, with Cumberland County matching that pledge. Additional grants brought the total investment to more than $7 million.

County officials say their support remains firm.

"We fully support the project. This board has supported it. What we did late last year was to reaffirm that, to say, yes, we will extend this, you know, these dollars again," said Cumberland County Chairman Kirk deViere.

But former committee members say the recent turmoil has been difficult to watch. Elmer Floyd, who spent decades involved with the organization, calls the situation heartbreaking.

"I spent 40 years in this process. So this is not my first 40 years working in this community, too, to honor Dr. King and to see us at this point. It is heartbreaking."

Last week, city and county officials pressed former chairman Stanley Ford to turn over financial records tied to the spire project. Committee members also issued a cease-and-desist letter. Before stepping down in late August, Floyd says he pushed for clearer communication and accountability.

"The only thing that the committee wanted to do was to improve communication so that the project can go forward and provide transparency and accountability to the board."

Ford did not respond to requests for comment.

Despite the leadership shakeup, Lacy-Robinson says now is the time to turn the page, not only to honor Dr. King's legacy, but her father's lifelong work as well.

"He worked on it till literally till he passed. I think it would be a disservice to the community not to move forward, as I said, is we need a ray of sunshine and we need hope now."

Looking ahead, the committee must select a new chairperson to guide the project and future initiatives. Lacy-Robinson says engineers approved updated renderings this week, and she remains hopeful the spire can break ground later this year.

The MLK parade has been rescheduled for April 4th, the anniversary of Dr. King's assassination. The city, in conjunction with the committee, will also host a candlelight vigil and parade to commemorate his life and legacy.