JULY 12-18, 2017 UCW 9
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
NEWS DIGEST
Fayetteville City Councilman Jim Arp thinks it's
time Fayetteville built a new city hall. e three-story
city offices at 433 Hay St. are undergoing $4.5 million
in renovations to carve out additional office space.
City Hall was opened in 1992. Arp has mentioned his
idea at least twice in public meetings recently.
"We ought to find space for a larger building
outside the immediate downtown area," he said. He
cited Harnett County's government complex, which
was built away from the congested downtown area
of Lillington, the county seat. e future baseball
stadium across from City Hall on Hay Street is going
to put public parking in the vicinity at a premium.
A city-owned parking lot adjacent to the train
station will be lost to developments associated with
the ballpark. City Council rejected an idea from City
Manager Doug Hewett that a multi-million dollar
parking garage be built behind City Hall. Arp's idea
for a relocated city hall hasn't gotten any traction
from colleagues.
Bright Future for
Industrial
Vocations
Not all well-
paying jobs require
a four-year col-
lege degree. Cities
across North
Carolina will need
an estimated 700 building inspectors over the next
couple of years, officials say. Many experienced
employees who've had long careers in local govern-
ment are retiring. Fayetteville Deputy City Manager
Kristoff Bauer fears there may not be enough quali-
fied people to replace them.
"ese folks earn good wages," Bauer said. Build-
ing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, heating and
air conditioning inspectors earn $30,000 a year
to start. Experienced level-three inspectors make
$50,000 plus a year. ey are responsible for all as-
pects of commercial and residential building plan re-
view on new construction, alterations, modifications
and additions to existing structures; and inspections
on general construction, plumbing, heating, me-
chanical, and electrical installations. "We have to get
them trained now," Bauer said.
at's where Fayetteville Technical Community
College comes in. "We provide the workforce devel-
opment pipeline," said Stefanie Schroeder, FTCC's
dean of corporate and industry training. e city has
not developed "a succession training program" with
FTCC, according to Schroeder, but the college stands
ready to help. FTCC has curriculum and continuing
education programs in the trades and also taps into
"a strong skill-set of soldiers" at Fort Bragg who are
leaving the service, Schroeder added. Fayetteville
Interim Inspections Division Director Michael Bailey
talks with FTCC student groups as time allows. Bailey
said the City of Fayetteville currently employs 25
inspectors, many of whom will be retiring soon.
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Approved for
VA Yellow Rib-
bon Program
FTCC has been
approved by the
Department of
Veterans Affairs
to participate in the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Bill Education
Enhancement Program. e agreement permits FTCC
and the VA to provide matching funds for tuition ex-
penses that exceed either the annual maximum cap for
private institutions or the resident tuition and fees for
a public institution. e institution can contribute up
to 50 percent of those expenses and VA will match the
same amount. e objective is to cover all or a portion
of the outstanding amount of established charges not
covered under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. FTCC will be in-
volved from August 1, 2017 to July 31, 2018. Visit www.
benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/yellow_ribbon/Yellow_Rib-
bon_Info_Schools.asp to learn more.
Is It Time to Replace City Hall?
by JEFF THOMPSON
WEDNESDAYS 10A - 2P •CHEF DEMOS!
BRONCO SQUARE MURCHISON RD
Across from Campus of Fayetteville State University
Broccoli, Bok Choy, Non-GMO Corn,
Cucumbers, Green Beans, Onions, Red Potatoes,
Sweet Potatoes, Squash, Tomatoes, Zucchini
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