Announcement

that a crafts/home improvement store will take

over more than half of the old Wal-Mart building

on North Glynn Street has put new life into

Fayetteville officials' efforts to spark

redevelopment of the city's "forgotten

zone."

commercial building boom in the city has brought

new prosperity to areas north and south of

downtown, but as many older businesses have moved

into newer, nicer spaces in the new shopping

centers, the city's older shopping centers closer

to the Courthouse Square have become empty and

neglected.

The

city doesn't own the buildings, so city

officials' role has been to quietly work behind

the scenes, said city manager Mike Bryant.

"We

try to put people together," said Bryant. If

someone calls city hall for information on the

older buildings, city officials provide

information to all sides as groups of business

people try to negotiate a deal, he added.

News

that Wal-Mart will soon be occupied is

encouraging, Bryant said, adding that the city is

watching hopefully as other potential deals are

discussed.

Developers

are showing interest in the empty former Winn

Dixie supermarket and other spaces in the

shopping center next to Wal-Mart, he said, but

couldn't say more for fear of interfering in

negotiations. "We're hoping to be involved

in some discussions with folks who have got some

ideas," he said.

The

potential for redevelopment of the older spaces

is "very positive" if all the right

ingredients can be put in place, Bryant said.

"You just have to be patient," he

added.

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