News and Press Releases

Behind the beauty, there is purpose. You may have noticed the Person Street Innovative Stormwater Greenscape located on Person Street. It is between Cool Springs Road and Blounts Creek Bridge. The Greenscape is not only a site to see, it is a stormwater retention system that includes Bioretention Basins, Silva Cells, and Permeable Pavement. The system serves to retain stormwater as well as improve quality before that water reaches Blounts Creek.

The project was awarded a $309,500 grant in 2014 design, construction, and planting in collaboration with North Carolina State University.  “City staff members have learned a lot since then in terms of understanding how the system functions as well as how to manage a system like this,” Stormwater Project Manager Alicia Lanier said. “You might have noticed a few dead trees and sparse vegetation in places. We are in the process of replacing those trees as well as adding more vegetation.” Parks and Rec staff members are collaborating with the Fayetteville Technical Community College horticulture program to grow ornamental grasses and other plants in their greenhouse.  This Fall, students and staff will plant that vegetation and more trees.

Multiple City departments are involved in the reinvigoration of the Person Street Greenscape including Parks and Recreation and the Street Maintenance and Engineering Divisions of the Public Services Department. “With such a large team it would be difficult to name everyone involved,” Lanier said. “However, special thanks go to Anthony Ramsey (Landscape Architect) and Robbie Goins (Crew Supervisor) in taking the lead on the replantings and continuing to strengthen the City’s relationship with our community partner, Fayetteville Technical Community College.”