Beautification of Gordon Highway starts with litter cleanup

Gordon Highway and its aging array of eyesores could be transformed into a scenic thoroughfare under a long-range beautification project planned by area businesses.

"The initial goal is a thorough cleanup of garbage and old signs," said Henry Frischknecht, a member of a committee assembled by Pride & Progress and Acura of Augusta. "We want this to lead to a complete beautification project with tree plantings and landscaping."

The project officially launches at 6:30 a.m. June 27 when volunteer groups will assemble at Southgate Shopping Center to pick up garbage.

Mr. Frischknecht said hundreds of volunteers will be needed for the cleanup. The committee is asking 409 businesses along Gordon Highway for assistance.

Augusta commissioners are providing bags for the litter, and groups that plan to participate include church organizations, Scout groups and garden clubs. Prisoners might be deployed to help with the labor, too, he said.

"This communitywide project is an effort to bring consumers back to the Gordon Highway and maintain a beautiful place to work and live," Acura of Augusta manager Rick Brady wrote in a letter sent to Gordon Highway businesses.

The Augusta-Richmond County code-enforcement office has already been at work along Gordon Highway removing hundreds of signs illegally placed along rights of way. Letters also are being sent to owners of permanent billboards and signs asking that they repair or remove those that are no longer in service.

"Most of the businesses that have received individual letters have been very cooperative and/or have already repaired or removed signs, or are working on them," an e-mailed update from the code enforcement office said.

The upcoming litter cleanup is a precursor to more of a longterm effort at beautification that will affect the highway from the Savannah River to the Columbia County line, Mr. Frischknecht said.

"It's going to be a big project, and it's going to take some time," he said.

The project will include tree plantings, landscaping and other activities on both public and private properties.

Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.