Fayetteville approves removal of Market House from city seal

Fayetteville leaders are moving closer to removing the market house from its city seal.

Tonight they voted for a plan to remove it.

All council members voted in favor of removing the images from city flag and trash cans, but they’re working on a timeline for this project that could be pricey.

The divisive symbol is now bringing people together as people gathered in front of the Market House today to make bold statements of solidarity by painting "End Racism Now" and "Black Lives Do Matter" on the street that circles the building.

"It may bother some people, but I think what it does for other people and making them feel more included is more important," said Fayetteville resident Malia Allen.

In the nineteenth century, residents of Fayetteville sold goods at the Market House, but it also served as a spot to buy and sell slaves.

With the image of the building featured in the city seal, the city flag and trash cans, Mayor Mitch Colvin proposed having it remove. It's a move that lifelong resident Keith Collins wants to see.

"Removing this from the seal is a step in the right direction," he said.

Councilman Johnny Dawkins supports the proposal, but shared concerns over a hefty price tag to remove the images.

"I want us to do this right," he said. "[I] don't want us to come back four years from now and say, 'Oops, we missed one," he added.

Councilwoman Shakeyla Ingram suggests a new emblem should reflect the essence of Fayetteville today.

"As we move forward, this is a diverse community," she said. "We need to be mindful that we are moving with the future of the city and mindset."

City leaders want to be mindful of how much they spend to make these changes. One councilman pointed out it would cost more than $3.5 million just to replace garbage carts that bear the image.