Choosing Your Location
Downtown Fayetteville Overview
Section titled “Downtown Fayetteville Overview”The Historic Downtown District spans 0.55 square miles with:
- 200+ existing businesses
- Award-winning restaurants
- Growing residential population
- 795,000+ GSF in public/private investments
Location Considerations
Section titled “Location Considerations”Historic District
Section titled “Historic District”Many downtown buildings are in the Historic District, which means:
| Requirement | Impact |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Appropriateness | Required for exterior changes |
| Design Guidelines | Signage, paint colors, facades must comply |
| Review Process | Additional 2-4 weeks for approvals |
Zoning
Section titled “Zoning”Contact Planning & Zoning (910-433-1707) to verify:
- Your business type is allowed at the location
- Parking requirements
- Signage limitations
- Hours of operation restrictions
Foot Traffic
Section titled “Foot Traffic”Use the Downtown Guide for:
- Foot traffic predictions by day
- Event calendar (affects traffic)
- Weather impact on visitors
Finding Commercial Space
Section titled “Finding Commercial Space”Contact Downtown Development
Section titled “Contact Downtown Development”Phone: 910-433-1599
They maintain listings of available commercial spaces and can match you with properties that fit your needs.
Questions to Ask
Section titled “Questions to Ask”- Lease terms - Length, renewal options, rent increases
- Build-out allowance - Will landlord contribute to improvements?
- Historic status - Will you need COA for changes?
- Previous use - What permits are already in place?
- Utilities - Are they included? Separate meters?
- Parking - Customer parking? Employee parking?
Parking Considerations
Section titled “Parking Considerations”Customer Parking
Section titled “Customer Parking”- 2,000+ public parking spaces downtown
- Paid parking 9am-5pm Monday-Friday
- Free evenings and weekends (verify current policy)
Employee Parking
Section titled “Employee Parking”| Option | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Lease | $50/month | Contact Park Fayetteville |
| Hospitality Permit | $25/month | For service industry workers |
Contact: Park Fayetteville or 910-222-0302
Next Steps
Section titled “Next Steps”- Contact Downtown Development (910-433-1599)
- Tour available spaces
- Verify zoning compatibility
- Check Historic District status
- Review lease terms with attorney
Utilities Setup
Section titled “Utilities Setup”Fayetteville Public Works Commission (PWC)
Section titled “Fayetteville Public Works Commission (PWC)”PWC provides electric, water, and wastewater service for downtown businesses.
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Customer Service (24/7) | 910-483-1382 |
| Establish Service | faypwc.com/establishing-service |
Before signing a lease, verify:
- Utility meters are separate or shared
- Service capacity for your business type
- Grease trap requirements (restaurants)
- Water/sewer connection fees