The Proctor Creek Watershed, stretching across 38 culturally significant neighborhoods in Atlanta, is undergoing a transformation. Once a source of community pride, Proctor Creek has experienced decades of environmental degradation, including flooding, pollution, and habitat loss. Today, thanks to a series of innovative initiatives, the watershed is being restored to its former vitality.
One of the centerpiece projects in this effort is the Greensferry Stream and Floodplain Restoration Project, awarded to RES in partnership with Forest Park, GA-based Cleveland Carter Enterprises. This project focuses on restoring more than 1,500 feet of Proctor Creek near Boone Boulevard, replacing outdated concrete channels with natural stream designs and native vegetation. These improvements will reduce flooding, enhance water quality, and provide much-needed green space for the historic Hunter Hills neighborhood.
Innovative Funding Through Environmental Impact Bonds
The Greensferry project is part of a broader strategy funded by Atlanta’s first publicly issued Environmental Impact Bond (EIB)—a groundbreaking financing tool that supports green infrastructure. Only the second EIB in the United States, following one by DC Water in Washington, DC, this initiative is the first to be offered in the public bond market. The EIB provides $14 million in funding for green infrastructure projects to reduce stormwater runoff, increase flood storage, and improve the quality of life in Atlanta’s Westside neighborhoods.
EIB-funded projects are projected to reduce stormwater runoff by 55 million gallons annually, alleviate local flooding, and restore ecological balance to the watershed. These efforts also enhance public access to green spaces, improve air and water quality, support environmental education, and create green jobs in the community.
Proctor Creek’s importance extends beyond its environmental role. The watershed was a focal point of the Civil Rights Movement, home to influential leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and W.E.B. Du Bois. Today, the predominantly African American community continues to face challenges, including poverty and unemployment. Revitalizing the watershed is not just an environmental mission—it’s a step toward environmental justice and community renewal.
Building a Greener, More Resilient Future
RES is honored to contribute to this transformation. By leveraging innovative restoration techniques and collaborating with local partners, we’re helping to build a greener, more resilient future for Atlanta. Projects like Greensferry showcase what’s possible when communities come together to restore the environment while addressing social and historical inequities.
Proctor Creek is more than a watershed—it symbolizes resilience, history, and hope. The Greensferry project, alongside many others supported by the EIB, brings that vision to life.
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