CityView Magazine

26 June 2023 L ike many before and aer him, Bruce Daws was introduced to Fayetteville by the U.S. Army. And like many soldiers, he served his four-year hitch. But unlike many who then leave the city to pursue life elsewhere, Bruce Daws stayed. His passion for history and architecture led him to become one of the foremost authorities on the history of Fayetteville and its downtown buildings. Daws, who retired on Dec. 31 as the historic properties manager for the city, has been a vital component in the revitalization of downtown from its shuttered buildings and topless bars to the robust business and entertainment center it is now. Or, as he calls it, he's been a piece of the puzzle. "I've always had an interest in history and historic preservation and architecture," the 71-year-old Daws says. "To me, it's like taking a jigsaw puzzle and dumping pieces on the table. Every building downtown and every project downtown is one puzzle piece, and every puzzle piece has to be in order for the puzzle to come out. "To make that happen, I played a minor role compared to many other people. It was a team effort. I've worked with many great, great people. So, I certainly cannot take credit or a large part of the credit. I was just one of the people around the table helping to put the jigsaw puzzle together." Daws is one of three people who will receive the third round of Downtown Visionaries awards presented by CityView Magazine. A luncheon recognizing them will be held June 22 at Segra Stadium. Also being honored are Molly Arnold, co-owner of Rude Awakening coffee house on Hay Street and a key organizer of the Downtown Alliance, and Mac Healy, a businessman and chairman of the committee that worked with consultant Robert Marvin to develop the 1996 Fayetteville "Once & For All" plan for downtown. Hitting the streets Daws, who grew up near San Jose, California, arrived in Fayetteville in 1972 as a soldier assigned to Fort Bragg. America's involvement in the war in Vietnam was winding down. Instead of training for a war overseas, Daws took to the streets of Fayetteville as a member of the military police. A piece of the puzzle As a champion of preservation and a walking encyclopedia of Fayetteville's history, Bruce Daws has pursued his passion for building on the past. BY GARY MANGUM | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAUL RUBIERA COVER STORY Bruce Daws Bruce Daws

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