With the onset of spring, the vegetation and foliage around West Columbia is getting some attention. At different points in the city, new landscaping is coming, or it has already been installed. And another long-anticipated project will soon be undertaken.

“We will soon be planting the new medians on Hwy 1,” said Jamie Hook, West Columbia Assistant City Administrator of Public Operations. That big project includes a partner, the West Columbia Beautification Foundation.

“We are also working on the Highway 1 project in conjunction with the City of West Columbia,” said Kathy Whetzel, president of the West Columbia Beautification Foundation. The next step is to put water in, for irrigation. That has already started. We’re eager to get that going. It’s a beautiful plan.” Whetzel said the WCBF partnered with the city because of the large scope of the Highway 1 project.

Flowers also part of the city’s to-do list for spring. “We will soon be replanting all of the hanging baskets, flower pots, and flower beds throughout the City,” Hook said. “And we are going to update our plantings at Carraway Park.” Shade sails are being installed at Carraway Park to keep the park breezy and shielded from the sun.”

Some areas of West Columbia have already been improved by the West Columbia Public Works Department.

“We recently redesigned and upgraded the landscaping in front of the Public Works facility on 12th Street,” Hook said. “We also redesigned and upgraded the landscaping at the Welcome sign on Meeting St near the Gervais Street Bridge.”

Hook also said the WCBF will soon be starting a beautification project on the corner of 12th and Meeting Street.