Community meeting set to discuss Murchison Choice Grant
Published on February 09, 2026
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - City Council authorized City staff to move forward with reapplying for the Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant to revitalize the Murchison neighborhood by redeveloping Murchison Townhouses and Elliott Circle into vibrant, mixed-income communities.
A community meeting is set for Thursday, Feb. 12 from 5 – 8 p.m. at Senior Center East, 917 Washington Drive. This meeting is open to the public to discuss the Choice Neighborhood Transformation Plan, the Implementation Grant Process and anticipated timing and steps post-award.
In December 2020, the City, in partnership with the Fayetteville Metropolitan Housing Authority (FMHA), was awarded a HUD Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant for the Murchison neighborhood. Utilizing this grant, the City and FMHA worked with local residents and community stakeholders to create a forward-looking transformation plan with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. This plan was centered on the redevelopment of Murchison Townhouses and Elliott Circle, and aimed to replace 100% of the housing units in these developments with new mixed-income developments.
Elliot Circle was chosen as the primary site for redevelopment due to its proximity to Fayetteville State University and the City’s neighborhood parks and trails. This site is incredibly impactful to spur the revitalization of this neighborhood and address housing quality, public safety and economic opportunity for FMHA residents and the current residents of Elliot Circle.
This opportunity will also provide resources to ensure funding to create job skills training, educational opportunities and health benefits for the residents of both Elliot Circle and Murchison Townhomes.
The Murchison Choice Neighborhood Initiative was created based on feedback from local residents, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, institutions, supportive services agencies and businesses. There are three key elements of the plan: People, Neighborhood and Housing.
The City originally applied for the federal grant in 2024, and made it as a top finalist, but wasn’t granted the award.
Although the City was not awarded the grant, HUD scheduled a debrief with staff on September 19, 2024, where staff received feedback on areas to improve for the next funding round. On November 14, 2024, City staff held a meeting with the community to update them on HUD’s decision and next steps.
Since then, the City has partnered with Urban Strategies Inc. and Pennrose Development to strengthen the application.
Urban Strategies, Inc. will spearhead the people element of the plan and Pennrose Development will lead the housing plan.
Both partners are widely recognized for their work across the country, involving Choice Neighborhood redevelopment initiatives that include diverse mixed-income housing and people-focused development with measurable outcomes to increase job opportunities and economic mobility.
Residents can learn more about the Murchison Choice Neighborhood Initiative at: MurchisonChoice.com
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