and By DAVE HAMRICK

[email protected]

A high-end restaurant anchoring

a master-planned revitalization of the west side of the Courthouse Square

in Fayetteville could result from recent property acquisitions.

Developer Mike Faulkner said

he is talking with "a well-known chef" and is having architectural

plans drawn for a restaurant in the former Travis Hardware location on

the west side of the Square and directly across from the County Administrative

Complex.

"I'm hopeful we're going

to make this happen," Faulkner said of the restaurant plan, but he

added, "We're not at the commitment point yet."

More parking, improved facades

and better access to businesses also are part of the continuing efforts

to improve the city's downtown region.

The city has purchased the

parking lot behind the shops on that side of the Square with plans to

improve and enlarge it. A large metal building that formerly housed a

hobby shop is now being torn down, according to Fayetteville Main Street

manager Nancy Price. Work on the interior of the building is in progress

and a demolition permit for the site has already been obtained.

Plans for the parking lot may

include a small park as well, she said.

The lot will extend to the

Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House near the northwest corner of the square. Structural

work on the house is expected to be completed by the end of the month,

at which time work will begin on the interior of the house.

City officials are in the process

of putting together a master plan for the downtown area, Price said, with

this specific location to get first priority because of the developments

there.

Officials are hoping for matching

grants to help fund the project.

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