Myrtle Beach and Family Kingdom help improve city landmark

Last week, the city of Myrtle Beach, working with Family Kingdom Family Amusement Park, came together and painted the ugly South Ocean Boulevard Withers Swash concrete bridge a beautiful “Sea Oats” sky blue.

The bridge was multi-colored gray, with scaling paint and mildew. The bridge had not been painted since being built in 2001.

Volunteers for this project were sought and the painting crew from Family Kingdom amusement park so graciously stepped forward to do the work. Preparation started with pressure washing during Tropical Storm Colin. Unfortunately, Colin left a very wet bridge and painting,

scheduled to start the next day, began one day late.

Two professional and detailed-oriented painters, Robert Blair and John Barnak, headed by Arthur Allen, painting supervisor, started painting that morning and completed the work Thursday afternoon in the hot summer sun. Two fresh paint coats were applied. During the painting process, tourists and surrounding business owners commented on how fantastic the completed work appeared.

Thanks goes out to all who participated, including Margaret Ammons, owner of Sea Mist Resort and Family Kingdom Amusement Park; Lee Meese, general manager of the Sea Mist; Donnie Sipes, general manager of Family Kingdom Amusement Park; and the painting crew and supervisor.

The city of Myrtle Beach purchased paint and supplies.

Thanks to all who contributed and labored on improving this city landmark.

It is especially heart-warming to know that Myrtle Beach families and business owners see, act, and complete special projects in a timely manner. This painting project greatly enhances the Myrtle Beach’s public image. The painting crew’s efforts will be noticed, admired, and last for years to come.

The old, drab, gray bridge is gone, with a new painted-bridge in its place. The completed paint job certainly improves the street scape appearance, with an eye-popping and fresh look.

This effort certainly left a marked and noteworthy improvement to the Withers Swash and South Ocean Boulevard street scape.

Hope all of you get to see the “new” bridge.

The writer lives in Myrtle Beach.

This story was originally published June 19, 2016 at 2:15 PM with the headline "Myrtle Beach and Family Kingdom help improve city landmark."