Fayetteville Development Closer to Reality for Revitalized Downtown

Fayetteville, N.C. — Real estate agent Suzanne Pennink remembers the days before downtown Fayetteville's historic Hay Street fell from grace.

"This was the place we came on Saturday s to do our shopping," she said.

"During the Vietnam War, it was just full of horrible bars and – just awful things," Pennink said.

There were strip clubs, prostitutes and rowdy beer joints.

"I would have never even dreamed to walk down here.

But Hay's glory days are coming back with the opening of 300 Hay, a prestigious high-end development that when complete, will includes 41 homes.

Set to open are five penthouses worth up to $1 million each, 16 condominiums (all but five are sold) and 10 townhouses, at least $200,000 each. Ten additional townhouses are planned for next year.

Some of its first homeowners are expected to move in by the end of the month.

"It's a community now where people want to live – a full-service community where people don't have to drive their cars to do things," Pennink said.

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Latest Comments

I'm glad I dont live in Fayetteville anymore... they were in the process of annexing (sp?) the area we were into the city limits as well. But it didnt pass... oh well they can try, try again... we're gone! LOL

Jayne
January 5, 2008 1:20 p.m.

Ah yes, worth every penny now being collected from 43,000 new tax paying residents who had no desire, what so ever, in becoming Fayetteville citizens. Now we can see where their money is going and they aren't real happy seeing it go toward making realtors such as Mrs. Pennick wealthier, while no, zero city services have been extended to them going on 3 years later.

TheWB
January 4, 2008 10:57 a.m.

Downtown may have been dirty, but it was vital and alive. There were bars at the end of the street, but closer to the center was Penney's, a Sears store where you could find ANYTHING and the employees knew what you needed, Rayless's, McRory's, Kress's, The Capitol, Point News and Brady's where I sat every Saturday with the best hotdog and Coke while reading a comic book. There was the Carolina, Broadway and Miracle theaters that provided my beloved Saturday morning double feature.

All that died when a crooked city closed Hay Street for 6 months while Cross Creek Mall got up and running. It was MURDER for hire ... pure and simple. They killed my town ... warts, memories and all.

ghimmy47
January 3, 2008 7:42 p.m.

True, in "the good old days" on Hay Street, there were excesses from time to time, but thanks to the great efforts of MPs from Fort Bragg, off-duty soldiers were able to enjoy some occasional weekend R&R in a safe and clearly delineated commercial zone right in the downtown area of their base's home city.

And the offices of The Fayetteville Observer and The Fayetteville Times were right on Hay Street, where we were just footsteps away from a hearty plate lunch at Cleo's U.S. Cafe. It may not have been "haute cuisine" but it was a great place to dine with friends and colleagues.

Best of all, you could see the passing Amtrak trains pulling into the station right out the window of our editorial offices at The Observer.

So forgive us a few memories of "the good old days" in downtown Fayetteville when "the better angels of our nature" were in the majority.

And here's to all the military personnel at Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base then and now.

David McKnight--Durham

davidpmcknight
January 3, 2008 7:36 p.m.