The Golden LEAF Foundation board awarded $1 million in funding to the City of Fayetteville earlier this month for the design and construction of the Blounts Creek Stream Enhancement project. This initiative is a key piece of the Russell-Person Street Bridge Replacement Project aimed at enhancing local infrastructure and environmental sustainability.

The Russell-Person Street Bridge was heavily damaged by fire in downtown Fayetteville in December of 2023. The City of Fayetteville is seeking to make improvements to its storm drainage network and potentially reconstruct the banks of Blounts Creek which could alter the design of a new bridge. NCDOT officials and the City are working together on the design process.

“The Golden LEAF Foundation was entrusted by the N.C. General Assembly to implement a program for local governments seeking to mitigate flooding in their community,” said Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton, in a press release. “We are pleased to support the City of Fayetteville with stream enhancements including floodplain benching and bank stabilization to increase flood storage capacity throughout sections of Blounts Creek helping homes and businesses to be removed from the floodplain to reduce incidents of flooding.”