CityViewNC.com | 11
COVER STORY
Downtown
rebound
Visionaries' faith in city center
helped lead a turnaround
E
yes on the prize.
at's the mantra for
people who have a vision and
will stop at nothing in its
pursuit.
For Menno Pennink and Harry Shaw,
a focus on that vision helped achieve
personal goals. But beyond that, their
persistence brought renewed vitality and
investment to lead a transformation for
downtown Fayetteville.
Pennink led the renovation of the
landmark Prince Charles Hotel and
brought new life to other downtown
properties, including empty movie
theaters and lawyers' offices. Perhaps his
signature project is in the 300 block of
Hay Street, where condominiums and
commercial space now occupy land where
buildings had crumbled.
Shaw is remembered for his passion in
the development of Cross Creek Linear
Park, which snakes from Festival Park,
past Maiden Lane and through Cross
Creek Cemetery No. 1. Today, a nearly
three-mile stretch of walkways and
trails provides a haven for young families
and curious nature lovers, all in an urban
setting.
Pennink and Shaw were visionaries,
and they will be honored as such at the
2022 CityView Downtown Visionaries
Luncheon recognizing people who make a
difference downtown.
As Shaw told CityView's Bill Kirby Jr. in
an interview before his death: "is is our
town — our town. What it is is what we
make it.''
Some dreams live forever.
e 2022 CityView Downtown
Visionaries Luncheon is scheduled for 11:30
a.m. June 29 at Segra Stadium, 460 Hay
St. in Fayetteville. Tickets are available at
cityviewnc.com.
