Architectural Firm Sues Cumberland County Over Unpaid Fees in Event Center Project

Lawsuit Filed Over $1.32 Million Dispute

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — An architectural firm hired to design the Crown Event Center in downtown Fayetteville has filed a federal lawsuit against Cumberland County, claiming more than $1.32 million in unpaid fees.

EwingCole, Inc., based in Pennsylvania with offices in Raleigh, filed the suit Oct. 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The company alleges the county failed to pay for work completed before the county halted plans for the downtown facility earlier this year.

County spokeswoman Diane Rice confirmed the lawsuit in an Oct. 31 statement, calling it a “billing dispute related to the discontinued Crown Event Center project.” She said the matter is now in active litigation and declined to comment further on legal advice from the county attorney.

Background on the Crown Event Center

The Crown Event Center was originally planned as an 89,000-square-foot facility at Gillespie Street and Ottis F. Jones Parkway. It was expected to cost $82.5 million and seat between 2,500 and 3,000 people for concerts, shows, and other events.

EwingCole was selected for the project in late 2022 and agreed to provide architectural, structural, and engineering services for a base fee of $6.41 million. The firm’s work was divided into several design and construction phases, from concept development through construction administration.

Over time, cost estimates increased. By mid-2023, county consultants projected the project would cost between $110 million and $126.8 million as the design expanded to roughly 164,000 square feet. By early 2024, estimates rose again, reaching nearly $156 million for a scaled-back version of the facility.

Dispute Over Payments and Change Orders

The lawsuit details a series of contract adjustments, known as change orders, that EwingCole said were approved as the project evolved. A July 2023 change order added $2.01 million in services, and a March 2024 change order raised the total architectural fee to $10.5 million.

EwingCole claims the county never directed the firm to stop work on these revisions and continued to pay invoices until July 2024. After that, payments allegedly stopped, even as the company continued to provide design and administrative services.

According to the complaint, the county later approved one change order but rejected another without explanation. The firm said it provided documentation to justify its billing in February 2025 but received no response.

EwingCole eventually suspended its services in March 2025, citing unpaid invoices. The county soon lifted its suspension of the project but did not resume payments, the lawsuit states.

County Ends Project, Firm Seeks Payment

In June, county commissioners voted to abandon the downtown construction and instead renovate the existing Crown Arena and Theatre along U.S. 301. EwingCole’s contract was formally terminated soon after.

The firm says it is still owed for design, construction document, and administrative work performed in 2024 and early 2025. It contends the county has not disputed the quality or completion of those services.

Cumberland County has reportedly paid EwingCole $977,615 of the outstanding balance, less than half of what the firm claims is due. The remaining $1.32 million includes more than $329,000 in accrued interest.

Rice said information about the discontinued project and related payments is available on the county’s financial transparency website.