City Manager's Report

April 17, 2026 | FayettevilleNC.gov

The Latest from Doug

This week, I want to start by congratulating our City’s Marketing and Communications team on earning three North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) 2026 Excellence in Communications Awards. That kind of statewide recognition speaks to the work they put in every day, not just for the City, but for the residents they serve.

That connection is at the heart of what we do. Public engagement plays such an important role in shaping the future of Fayetteville, and we are committed to creating meaningful ways for residents to be involved.

One of those opportunities is Doug in the District, where I have the chance to hear directly from you—your concerns, your ideas and your priorities. These conversations help guide decisions, strengthen relationships and ensure our community grows in a way that reflects your needs. Last night, about 40 residents joined us in District 3, and I appreciate everyone who took the time to participate. Our next meeting will be held in District 4 on May 13, and I encourage you to attend.

We also invite you to Coffee with the Mayor, held every fourth Monday. This is a more informal setting where residents can sit down in a small group with the Mayor to talk about what’s happening in their neighborhoods.

I also encourage you to join the Office of Community Safety today from 5 to 7 p.m. at Massey Hill Recreation Center for the kickoff of their Safe Space Activations. It’s a great opportunity to connect with local organizations and access resources. These activations are designed to bring people together and strengthen safe, community-led spaces across Fayetteville.

There are many ways to stay engaged and informed in Fayetteville. Neighborhood watch groups allow residents to work alongside our police department to help reduce crime, while serving on a City board or commission gives you a direct role in shaping decisions that impact our community. You can also stay connected by following us on social media, watching FayTV, and listening to Radio Fayetteville, featuring programs like Fayetteville 411, FayPD Beat and Mic’d Up by the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council.

I encourage you to stay involved, stay informed and stay connected to your City.

Best,

Dr. Douglas J. Hewett

City of Fayetteville receives Excellence in Communications Awards

The City of Fayetteville was among a record 39 North Carolina jurisdictions to earn recognition in the North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) 2026 Excellence in Communications Awards. The City’s Marketing and Communications team won two first-place awards: Digital Technology - Website and Best Use of Humor, and a third-place award for Multi-Platform Campaign. READ MORE

Building safe spaces through community-led activations

Residents are invited to The Office of Community Safety’s Summer Kickoff event on Friday, April 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Massey Hill Recreation Center, 1612 Camden Road. This event marks the start of a summer of community-led Safe Space Activations taking place across Fayetteville neighborhoods. READ MORE

Fayetteville Next to host 2026 Next Generation Business Summit

The Fayetteville NEXT Advisory Commission, in partnership with Fayetteville State University’s The Matriculation Institute, proudly announces the third Next Generation Business Summit on Tuesday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. READ MORE

More City News

Now Showing on FayTV

The Making of Spiffy!

Iris Niang, the winner of our mascot design contest tells us how she came up with Spiffy! WATCH

FCYC mic'd up - Digital Safety

Join us in Episode 7 of 'Mic'd Up with FCYC' as we delve into crucial discussions on sexting, digital safety, and understanding boundaries in the digital world. With insights from both teens and professionals, this episode sheds light on the complexities of digital communication, the responsibilities it entails, and the real-life consequences of our online actions. Learn about digital footprints, peer pressure, and the importance of setting personal boundaries online. This conversation is essential for young people navigating the digital landscape today. WATCH

Splash Pads Open May 1

Splash pads in Fayetteville and Cumberland County will be opening on May 1st. To find locations and hours, visit FCPR.us/Aquatics. WATCH

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Dogwood Festival

Get all the details for the upcoming Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. It takes place the last weekend in April and it is a full line-up of entertainment, food, and family fun! WATCH

More Videos from FayTV

FayTV programming is at your convenience on the City's YouTube channel! Subscribe to get notified of new content. Click to Watch FayTV Live!

Tune into our latest Fayetteville City Council Meeting: City Council Special Meeting - April 8, 2026

You can listen to City of Fayetteville podcasts by subscribing to Radio Fayetteville available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TuneIn and Listen Notes.

Help us keep Fayetteville clean! Registration is now open for Fayetteville Beautiful on Saturday, April 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit FayettevilleBeautiful.com to register and help keep Fayetteville Beautiful!

Won't you be our neighbor and save the date for our 4th Friday on April 24? Step into a day of make-believe with the Cool Spring Downtown District! Cool Springs is bringing the magic of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood for 4th Friday, April 24 from 6pm-9pm at Ray Avenue from Franklin Street to Maiden Lane roundabout and the 400 Block of Hay Street.

Take part in the Mr. Rogers Look-a-like Contest (or dress up as your favorite TV neighbor) to win a Downtown e-gift card.

There will be bounce houses, games, a rolling puppet show (in partnership with the Cumberland County Library Main Headquarters), and other fun ways to enjoy a beautiful spring evening in our Downtown neighborhood. Grab your Daniel Tiger, King Friday, Lady Elaine Fairchild, and bring the spirit of make-believe to the District.

On behalf of the City of Fayetteville, Cool Spring Downtown District (CSDD) is delighted to announce the return of the 5th annual Juneteenth Jubilee. This community celebration of history, unity, and Black American contributions and culture will kick off in the heart of the downtown district in Festival Park on Friday, June 19, 2026 from 5PM-11PM. As always, the Juneteenth Jubilee is designed to offer a thoughtfully curated, inclusive, educational, and joyfully entertaining event for all. This year, we will be connecting the threads of the Black American experience from the past and the present, and turning towards the idea of am equitable, just, joyful, and limitless future The Jubilee will feature nationally touring headliners, local performance acts, food trucks, small-business and corporate vendors, artists/artisans, history, games and other entertainment for the whole family.

Come on out for a weekend of good vibes, great food, and entertainment that will make you want to stay for the next show. We are so excited about what we have planned and cannot wait to experience it with our community. For more information, schedule, upgrade tickets, and more please visit: Thedogwoodfestival.com

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