Greetings,

Around several decades ago, the city council responded to ongoing efforts by a group of citizens (Mrs. Lula G. Crenshaw, Reverend Aaron Johnson, and other committee members associated with Mrs. Crenshaw and Reverend Johnson) to create such a memorial by establishing the 13 acres defined by Washington Drive and Cross Creek as the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park. In 1998, the city sent out an Architectural Request for Proposal (RFP) with the purpose of hiring an architect to provide a master plan along with the elements appropriate to such a project. The MLK Project the FCCMLK started a partnership led by Mr. Walter Vick, and he was selected for the design of this very important MLK Spire Project. After conducting preliminary investigations on similar projects, a daylong workshop was held that involved community representatives, including members of the City Council and the County Board of Commissioners. Through their day-long interactions ideas emerged for the park, including the notion that it should celebrate not only the accomplishments of Dr. King, but people in this community who have made a significant difference to the lives of others as well. Finally, a theme emerged “No one shall enter and leave unchanged”. This was a tall order for the designer of the memorial and park.

In due time, the concept and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statue design currently underway materialized. The MLK committee presented and approved it, and then the City Council gave it their approval. Unfortunately, the City Council did not budget for the full project at that time though it did continue to provide funds to supplement the donations used to construct various aspects of the project, including the entry sign, and fountain and the MLK statue and amphitheater. However, the focus of the project remained stalled due to the lack of funds. Then, along comes the Black Lives Movement, which, with the encouragement of the MLK committee eventually resulted in a response from the city, county and state in the form of funding for the MLK project. Because the various political forces behind the project were eager to see results, the decision was made to do the project in two phases with the plan being to get the most significant and invisible part of the memorial, the spire, in place as soon as possible. Recognizing how the political winds blow, everyone involved wanted to drive the stake in the ground as soon as possible to discourage any second thoughts.

Significant consultants from around the world were hired, and the project made good progress before it came across obstacles that prevented it from moving forward. It is worth noting that this project was create decades ago. Very few of the people involved as well as records and agreements are still around. Without going into a lot of detail, (2022 March-2024, slow progress because of building the MLK Spire over power lines). On April 17, 2024, a letter from the FCCMLK Committee Chairman, provide a letter to the City of Fayetteville, about relocating the MLK Spire Project back to the original site) because of a conflict between the parties about locating the spire and power lines have been dragged on for more than a year with no resolution despite many proposals. The FCCMLK Chairman eventually asked the City of Fayetteville to move the memorial spire back to the original location that was abandoned in 2022 to facilitate the reconfiguration of Cross Creek. As it turned out the creek relocation was not as invasive of the site as originally proposed. With the approval of this change, April 2024, we are back on track. The FCCMLK Committee had to conduct the topographic and GEO Survey back over because of the delays.

I took over the Chairman of The Board around October 2022. The organization was under the leadership of Dr. Wilson Lacy and Attorney Ronnie Mitchell. The organization had the funds around the beginning of 2022.

January 2023-April 2024
The MLK Spire was envisioned by the City Engineers to be constructed above the power lines in MLK Park. This cause major unexpected delays for the Spire Project because the City Engineers, PWC and other parties were uncertain about moving the project back to the original design site recommended by the MLK Committee and Engineer.

Meetings and phone calls with the City of Fayetteville were instrumental in determining the power line decision. The disagreements between the FCCMLK Committee and the City of Fayetteville had an impact on the project’s ability to move forward because of disputes between the parties involved. Due to the delay, the FCCMLK Committee asked the City of Fayetteville to relocate the MLK Spire back to its original site, and in April 2024, the City of Fayetteville complied. The FCCMLK Committee promptly got in touch with firms to assist in moving the MLK Spire Project forward. The Timmons Group, ARUP and ECS Southeast Companies. ESC Southeast, LLC carried out a water and soil survey, drilling, and ensured that the foundation is capable of supporting the structure. To identify existing easements, utility lines, and water flow at MLK Park, a topographic survey was conducted, which involved delineating wetland areas and analyzing stream data. The delay in moving the project forward necessitated a redo of the process after a 15-month delay with the City of Fayetteville and the MLK Engineer regarding the erecting of the MLK Spire.

September-November 2024
The finalization of the lighting design for the torch construction is underway. The company supplied lighting design concepts for lighting monuments. Developed lighting design concepts for a monument torch.

February-March 2025

The Site Group SOW was responsible for creating the building specifications for the mandatory site work that will be submitted for review for the City of Fayetteville. The project design will be based on the sketches provided by them, which will depict the spire statues, their pavilion base, and waterfall features. The plans will be consistent with the current concept and incorporate any revisions based on Fayetteville’s comments. The scope of their services encompasses the proposed work within the inner circle of the Spire, which includes designing the drainage system and providing electric utility services to the spire.

They examined the project site, scope, and supplied documents regarding survey coordination. The Site Group provided the cleanup survey. They Generate CAD file of site and the GIS Data. They coordinated the drainage and floorplan data/information progress to the City of Fayetteville.

May 15, 2025

The Site Group sent the building permit application and the plans for the Project-MLK Jr. Spire to The City of Fayetteville, and the application was accepted by the City of Fayetteville.

June 2, 2025

ARUP Scope of Work (SOW) is about competing structural engineering and lighting design by delivering the construction documents for the lighting disciplines (MLK Torch).

June 18, 2025

The City of Fayetteville asked for a meeting with The Site Group, Mr. Vick about the application permit and the review comments, such as the light poles, building review, variance for the height of the MLK Spire, and electrical plans.

July 2025

The Site Group, Raleigh NC, coordinated the power for the transformer, variance application, the MLK Spire Base, and the drainage process with the City of Fayetteville, NC.

September 2025

The Site Group follow up about the Variance Height Hearing Meeting, with ARUP and Mr. Vick.

October – November 2025

The FCCMLK Committee and Mr. Vick, the Lead Engineer Consultant, The Site Group, and ARUP are having meetings with the City of Fayetteville, Parks & Recreation, and Mr. Matt Milano (Project Manager) has become a constructive FCCMLK Spire Collaboration Team that has been instrumental in moving the MLK Spire forward.

November 2025

The FCCMLK Engineer, The Site Group and ARUP are reaching out to contactors to provide the pre-bidding for the MLK Spire Project. They have been strong supporter to ensure the project is quality and the project meet the State and City requirements.

Remember

The MLK Spire project, which has been in progress for decades, is finally coming to fruition for the First Stage. The MLK Spire Project is undoubtedly due, and the people of Fayetteville and the surrounding counties should highlight the rich history of The All-American City by starting construction soon.

The FCCMLK Committee needs your help to move forward with The MLK Spire, please contact your City Council Members, Board of Commissioners or your District Representatives to assist in moving this inspiring project forward. Therefore, please request for the MLK Spire ground breaking. We appreciate the service that the communities have provided and we look forward to their continued support.

In 2021, the State awarded the FCCMLK $2,500,000, with the City of Fayetteville contributing $2,200,000, and the Board of Commissioners contributing $2,500,000 to construct the MLK Spire. The parties involved have control of their funds to assist in the MLK Spire Project. FCCMLK has spent $352,212.11 as of today’s date. As of August 2025, the State stated that the FCCMLK is complying with the State’s Scope of Work about the MLK Spire Project.

I express my appreciation to the FCCMLK Members who stood by the FCCMLK Spire Project, Mr. Walter Vick is the Consultant Lead Engineer, The Site Group, ARUP, The City of Fayetteville, The Board of Commissioners, The Fayetteville Parks & Rec, and surrounding communities & counties of Fayetteville, my family, and most importantly, God.

Sincerely,
Stanley L. Ford